A PASSPORT THAT CUTS THROUGH THE NOISE

In the crowded midsize SUV segment, it’s rare for a vehicle to make a definitive statement. Yet, the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport has done just that, recently earning GearJunkie's prestigious "Adventure Vehicle of the Year" award. This isn't just another accolade; it's a signal that Honda has successfully built an SUV that resonates with the very community that lives for exploration. While many competitors offer rugged aesthetics, the Passport TrailSport delivers a class-leading blend of authentic off-road engineering and refined on-road comfort, making it a compelling standout.

Recognition from the Adventurers

The recent award from GearJunkie—a leading authority in outdoor and adventure gear—carries significant weight. Their editors concluded that the all-new Passport possesses "legitimate adventure chops" and praised it as an "impressively civilized and capable package, on- and off-road." This dual praise is the crux of the TrailSport's appeal. It validates Honda's mission to create a vehicle that doesn't force you to choose between weekday practicality and weekend capability. Building on an already capable foundation, the 2026 model year introduces refinements and a top-tier trim that solidify its position.

It's Not Just Looks

The TrailSport is engineered as the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever. It moves beyond mere all-weather competence to genuine trail readiness:

• Advanced i-VTM4® AWD: This torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system can send up to 70% of power to the rear and direct 100% of that to either rear wheel, providing exceptional traction on loose surfaces.

• Rugged Standard Armor: It comes equipped with robust steel underbody skid plates and exposed, bright orange heavy-duty recovery points—functional tools for serious adventures.

• Trail-Tuned Foundation: An off-road tuned suspension and specially engineered all-terrain tires (co-developed with General Tire) provide the grip and compliance needed for rough terrain.

  
  

Uncompromised Daily Refinement

Where many body-on-frame competitors falter, the Passport TrailSport excels. Its unibody construction delivers a quiet, comfortable, and car-like driving experience on pavement. The 285-hp V6 provides smooth, abundant power for merging and towing (up to 5,000 lbs), while the cabin is designed for long-haul comfort. It’s a vehicle you enjoy driving every day, not just when the pavement ends.

TrailSport Elite Trim

For 2026, Honda introduces the first-ever TrailSport Elite trim. This model answers the call for ultimate capability without sacrificing luxury:

• TrailWatch™ Camera System: A multi-angle camera system that acts as a virtual spotter, helping you navigate tricky obstacles by seeing the front wheels, forward path, and blind spots.

• Premium Comfort Features: It combines its rugged hardware with perforated leather seating and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, ensuring the journey is as pleasurable as the destination.

Proven Popularity & American Roots

The market has spoken loudly. Honda reports that the Passport posted record sales in 2025, up nearly 70%, with the rugged TrailSport trims accounting for a staggering 80% of sales. This overwhelming consumer preference confirms the desirability of its adventure-ready formula. Furthermore, the Passport is designed, developed, and built in the U.S., with nearly all sold domestically originating from North American plants.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

• Vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: The TrailSport offers comparable or superior off-road tech in many trims, often at a better value, with Honda's renowned reliability.

• Vs. Toyota 4Runner: The Passport provides a far more powerful, efficient, and comfortable on-road experience while still being highly capable off-road. The 4Runner excels in extreme rock crawling but pays a daily driving penalty.

• Vs. "Soft-Roader" Trims (e.g., Subaru Wilderness, Ford Timberline): The Passport TrailSport's standard V6 power, larger cargo space (84 cu ft), and comprehensive underbody protection give it a tangible edge in both performance and adventure readiness.

  
  

The Smart Choice for Real Adventures

The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport, particularly in its new Elite guise, is not for the poseur. It’s for the active individual or family whose life doesn’t fit on a spreadsheet. It’s for the person who needs a comfortable, tech-filled commuter from Monday to Friday but can confidently tackle a forest service road, a snowy mountain pass, or a sandy beach access point on Saturday.

It wins because it refuses to be pigeonholed. It brings together legitimate off-road hardware, a powerful and smooth V6, exceptional interior space, and award-winning credibility into one polished, purpose-driven package. In a sea of SUVs that merely look the part, the Passport TrailSport is built for the part.

SIDE BAR: What If Honda is Building the Pathfinder We Never Got?

Let's be real: for a certain generation of enthusiasts, the early 2000s Nissan Pathfinder (and its contemporaries like the 4Runner of that era) represented a sweet spot. They were trucks at heart—body-on-frame rugged, with real transfer cases and an attitude that felt genuinely adventurous, not just styled that way. But the recipe changed. The market shifted toward car-like comfort, and many of those icons softened or moved upmarket, leaving a void. So, what if Honda isn't just building another SUV? What if, with the Passport TrailSport, they're excavating that lost feeling?

They're doing it with modern tools, of course. Instead of a clunky low-range, they use a brainy torque-vectoring AWD system. Instead of punishing leaf springs, they have an off-road tuned independent suspension that doesn't sacrifice highway comfort. But the intent is classic: steel skid plates, bright orange recovery hooks you can actually use, all-terrain tires, and a design that shouts capability rather than luxury.

In essence, Honda looked at that void—the space between the pavement-compromised "soft-roaders" and the expensive, fuel-thirsty full-size legends—and built a practical, daily-drivable shrine to that early-2000s adventure ethos. They're tapping into the positive energy of an era when SUVs felt like tools for exploration, not just status symbols. They're offering the "and more" with modern safety, tech, and refinement that those old trucks could only dream of.

The Passport TrailSport isn't a retro rehash; it's a thoughtful reinvention. It answers the question: "What if a vehicle had the soul of that beloved, go-anywhere 2004 Pathfinder, but was actually pleasant to live with in 2026?" The record sales and awards suggest they're not just tapping into that energy—they might be channelling it for a whole new generation.

Just sayin'.