2026 Honda Passport Review: The Best SUV for Dogs, Dirt, and Discerning Drivers
By Nik Miles – TestMiles.com
It’s not every day a Honda makes you rethink your entire garage. But the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport had me doing just that—mentally listing which of my off-road-capable SUVs I might part with to make room. And if I still owned my Bronco Sport, it would’ve been near the top of that list. That’s how good this thing is.
Why Does This SUV Matter Now?
Because Honda, in a rare act of rebellious brilliance, has built an SUV that dares to be genuinely rugged—without losing the daily drivability we’ve come to expect from the badge. In a world where soft-roaders dress up in cladding and call themselves “off-road capable,” the 2026 Passport TrailSport is the real deal. Steel skid plates, torque-vectoring AWD, a legitimate V6, and a dash-to-axle ratio that finally gives this Honda some visual brawn.
Oh, and it happens to be the best SUV for dogs I’ve ever tested. And I own six. You’d be amazed what you learn when your rear seat doubles as a Beagle shuttle.
What’s New for 2026?
Let’s start with what matters: everything. Honda has reimagined the Passport from bumper to bumper. Three trims—RTL, TrailSport, and the new TrailSport Elite—sit atop a more muscular frame with wider tracks, increased ground clearance, and off-road geometry that doesn’t flinch at rocky trails or Costco speed bumps.
Every Passport comes standard with a 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the second-gen i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. That’s paired to a newly refined 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters, if you fancy pretending you’re rallying through suburbia.
TrailSport models get chunky General Grabber all-terrain tires and a suspension tuned for the sort of off-roading most SUVs only dream about. And if you really want to live your REI fantasy, Honda will sell you a picnic table that stows in the boot.
How Does It Stack Up?
Against competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Edge, and Toyota 4Runner, the Passport hits a unique sweet spot. It’s more refined than the Jeep, better built than the Edge, and far more modern than the 4Runner, which is now old enough to rent a car.
While it doesn’t have the hybrid options of some rivals, it counters with old-school V6 torque and a charming disregard for convention. EPA ratings hover around 20 mpg combined—respectable for a non-electrified AWD SUV, and honestly, worth every drop if you’re hauling dogs and kayaks into the wilderness.
Interior tech has finally caught up: Google built-in, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen are now standard. The TrailSport Elite goes full glamping with a 12-speaker Bose system and ventilated seats—though we’re still waiting on a built-in espresso machine.
Who Is This Really For?
If you think “adventure” means downloading a hiking app, look elsewhere. But if your weekends involve actual trailheads, muddy paws, or backing a trailer into places Google Maps fears to tread, the new Passport is your enabler.
Families will love the extra rear legroom and clever storage cubbies. Dog owners will appreciate the washable floor mats and cavernous 104.6 cu-ft of cargo space. And anyone over 6’3″ will adore the fact that the roof doesn’t slope like a sport coupe.
What’s the Long-Term Significance?
This is more than a facelift. It’s a reassertion of purpose. Honda, once the king of beige, is finally showing teeth again. With the TrailSport sub-brand, they’re clearly carving out space in the overlanding zeitgeist currently monopolized by Toyota and Subaru. And by manufacturing it in Alabama with a U.S.-built V6, they’ve kept it tariff-proof—an increasingly strategic move in 2026.
At $44,750 to start, the Passport isn’t cheap. But it is compelling. Particularly in a sea of dull crossovers that look like they were designed by committee and tested on Photoshop.
Final Verdict
I’ve owned a Bronco Sport before—liked it, respected it, but never quite loved it. The 2026 Honda Passport, though? It’s something else entirely. It’s more usable, more refined, and somehow more honest. Out of all the test vehicles constantly cycling through my driveway—not to mention the enviable fleet parked in my garage—I keep reaching for the keys to the Passport. Honda hasn’t just improved it; they’ve nailed it. And for someone with six dogs and a knack for weekend road trips, I should know.
Like what you’ve read? Stay in the driver’s seat with more insider automotive insights. Follow @NikJMiles and @TestMiles for stories that go beyond the press release.
