Honda Passport

Core summary

2026 Honda Passport: a two-row midsize SUV with standard AWD and a stronger off-road focus

The fourth-generation Honda Passport is the current model for 2026. It remains a two-row midsize crossover SUV with seating for five, but its design and equipment place more emphasis on rough-road use than the returning 2019 model. Every version uses a 3.5-liter V6, a 10-speed automatic transmission and Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system. The lineup consists of RTL, TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims. The TrailSport versions add all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, orange recovery hooks and suspension tuning intended for off-road driving. The new body uses a more upright, backpack-influenced theme, a steel tailgate and increased ground clearance with a better approach angle. Inside, the Passport has a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and expanded cargo capacity. It is built in Lincoln, Alabama, and the reference states that Japan will receive the United States-built, left-hand-drive model from 2026.

History & generations

The Passport began in 1993 for the 1994 model year as Honda’s first United States SUV entry. The first two generations were rebadged Isuzu Rodeo vehicles manufactured through the Honda-Isuzu partnership. The first generation offered DX, LX and EX grades, while the second generation used LX and EX grades and added EX-L for 2000. The nameplate ended after 2002, when Honda shifted to the Honda-engineered Pilot. It returned for 2019 as a shorter, two-row crossover based on the third-generation Pilot, positioned between the CR-V and Pilot. That third generation introduced a 3.5-liter V6, a nine-speed automatic and available AWD; AWD became standard across the range for 2023. The fourth generation was unveiled in November 2024 and released for the 2026 model year. It changes the design, transmission, standard drivetrain and off-road equipment while retaining the two-row format.

Body, platform & design

The current Passport uses a bold exterior described in the reference as a Born Wild concept and backpack design theme. Its proportions include a longer dash-to-axle relationship, a shorter front overhang, increased ground clearance and an improved approach angle. PASSPORT is stamped into the front fascia and steel tailgate. TrailSport models have distinctive amber daytime-running-light signatures, all-terrain tires, orange heavy-duty recovery hooks, steel underbody skid plates and suspension tuning for off-road driving. The rear roof section has a matte black finish, while the antenna is integrated into the passenger-side rear glass rather than using a shark-fin roof antenna. This design separates the fourth-generation Passport from the earlier YF7/8 model, whose facelift used a front end similar to the second-generation Ridgeline. The supplied current-generation filenames show front, side and rear exterior views, including RTL and TrailSport examples.

Engine & drivetrain

Every fourth-generation Passport uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system is standard on all models and uses torque vectoring; the fourth-generation system has a stronger rear drive unit. The vehicle uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear suspension. TrailSport models add a suspension tune intended for off-road driving, along with all-terrain tires and protective steel skid plates. This is a change from the third-generation Passport, which used a 3.5-liter V6 with a nine-speed automatic and offered front-wheel drive on earlier model years. The current reference identifies no hybrid, electric or manual-transmission version.

Trim differences

For 2026, the Passport range has three trims: RTL, TrailSport and TrailSport Elite. RTL is the listed entry trim, while TrailSport adds equipment centered on rough-road use, including all-terrain tires, orange recovery hooks, steel skid plates and a unique suspension tune. TrailSport models also have a TrailWatch camera system and readouts for roll, pitch and elevation. TrailSport Elite is the higher TrailSport variant named in the current-generation lineup. This lineup should not be confused with the third-generation range, which began with Sport, EX-L, Touring and Elite, later added TrailSport, and ultimately replaced Elite with Black Edition for 2024.

Interior & seating

The fourth-generation interior includes a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google built-in, wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility. A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system is available. The Passport has two seating rows for five passengers. Cargo volume is listed as 44 cubic feet, expanding to 83.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The redesigned underfloor storage area and cargo shelf are notable functional changes; the shelf can transform into a picnic table when ordered as an accessory. TrailSport models add a TrailWatch camera system and displays for roll, pitch and elevation. The supplied interior filename is identified as a 2026 Passport interior, supporting its assignment to the current generation.

Efficiency & range

Its powertrain is a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 with a 10-speed automatic and standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive. Those mechanical details indicate the configuration, but they do not establish consumption figures. The current model’s standard AWD and off-road hardware also make direct efficiency comparisons with earlier front-wheel-drive Passport configurations inappropriate. The reference does not identify an electrified powertrain for this generation. Buyers comparing operating costs should verify official market-specific economy ratings and testing standards separately. No efficiency verdict is assigned beyond the factual observation that the current Passport uses gasoline V6 power and standard all-wheel drive.

Safety & equipment

Honda Sensing is standard on the fourth-generation Passport with a number of advanced driver-assistance features, although the extract does not enumerate the individual systems. TrailSport models add TrailWatch camera coverage and displays for roll, pitch and elevation, providing information relevant to off-road positioning and vehicle attitude. The earlier third-generation Passport received an IIHS Top Safety Pick award in 2019, but that result should not be presented as a rating for the current YF9 generation. The supplied evidence does not include current-generation crash-test results or a complete safety-equipment matrix by trim. Accordingly, the current model can be described as having standard Honda Sensing, while any rating or feature-level comparison requires separate current testing or manufacturer documentation.

Strengths

The current Passport’s main strengths are its clear two-row packaging, large stated cargo area and standard all-wheel drive. Its 44 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 83.5 cubic feet with the seats folded give it a practical cargo brief. The 3.5-liter V6 and 10-speed automatic provide a conventional gasoline powertrain, while i-VTM4 torque vectoring is standard rather than restricted to an option package. TrailSport versions are more specifically equipped for off-road use than a purely appearance-focused package, with all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, recovery hooks and suspension tuning. The 2026 redesign also brings a larger infotainment display, digital instrumentation and available Bose audio. The vehicle’s five-seat layout avoids the complexity of a third row while retaining a position between Honda’s CR-V and Pilot.

Considerations

The Passport is a relatively specialized choice within Honda’s SUV range. Its standard 3.5-liter V6, 10-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system are clearly defined, but the reference supplies no fuel-economy figures for the current generation. The fourth-generation model is larger in cargo capacity than its predecessor, but the extract gives no exterior dimensions or curb weight for direct size comparison. TrailSport hardware may suit buyers who need rough-road capability, while those seeking maximum seating capacity should note that the Passport has only two rows and five seats. Earlier Passport generations had a history of rust-related frame recalls for affected 1998–2002 vehicles; that historical issue should not be generalized to the current YF9 model.

Recommended use

The current Passport is suited to buyers who want a five-seat SUV with substantial cargo room, standard all-wheel drive and a gasoline V6. Its two-row layout supports family and equipment-carrying duties without the third-row seating used by the Pilot. The TrailSport versions are the clearest fit for drivers who regularly travel on unpaved roads or want dedicated off-road equipment, because they include all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, recovery hooks, TrailWatch cameras and an off-road suspension tune. Nor does it establish fuel economy for commuting comparisons. Within Honda’s lineup, the Passport occupies the space between the smaller CR-V and the longer, three-row Pilot.

FAQ

Q: What is the current Honda Passport generation? A: The fourth generation, designated YF9, released for the 2026 model year.

Q: How many people does the current Passport seat? A: It has two rows and seating for five passengers.

Q: Is all-wheel drive standard? A: Yes. The fourth-generation Passport includes Honda i-VTM4 AWD as standard.

Q: Which trims are offered for 2026? A: RTL, TrailSport and TrailSport Elite.

Q: What engine and transmission does it use? A: A 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Q: What is the Passport’s cargo capacity? A: The reference lists 44 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 83.5 cubic feet with them folded.

Sources & updates

Research for this Honda Passport profile prioritized current manufacturer specifications, model-year equipment pages and official press material. Independent safety or regulatory records were used where available. Historical references were kept separate from current-generation specifications and image identification.

Equipment, pricing and certified figures can vary by market, trim and model year. The expandable reference list below contains the linked sources used for verification. Last editorial review: August 30, 2026.

• 2026 Honda Passport - Honda's Best Off-Road Midsized SUV · official manufacturer →
• Honda Passport · reference overview →

Last editorial review: August 30, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.