5 reasons to love the 2026 honda passportThe midsize two-row SUV segment is fiercely competitive, but Honda hit a clear home run with its redesigned 2026 Passport TrailSport. Building on the solid foundation of the Honda Pilot platform, the newest Passport combines genuine off-road capability with impressive daily practicality and refined road manners.2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Review: A Honda Home Run2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Review: A Honda Home RunWhat happens when an industry undergoes such drastic change that once-common offerings simply no longer exist? With the demise of the V8 and reasonably-sized body-on-frame SUVs, buyers are flocking to outdoorsy crossovers to fill the void. The newest Honda Passport Trailsport is perhaps the ultimate realization of such, with the fourth generation of the Passport carrying macho, off-roady good looks and tried-and-true Honda underpinnings. It's a supremely well-rounded vehicle that has already grabbed a huge fan base, and it serves as a perfect replacement for those who used to buy "real" SUVs.Ross BallotRoss BallotAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter putting it through its paces across highways, city streets, and dirt trails, here are 5 things we absolutely love about the 2026 Honda Passport:5 reasons to love the 2026 honda passport1. Reliable V6 Power and Smooth Highway CruisingWhile many modern competitors are ditching natural aspiration in favor of tiny turbocharged engines, Honda stuck to its guns with a tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 pushing 285 horsepower.Paired with a slick 10-speed automatic transmission, the setup delivers smooth, predictable power with zero turbo lag. The powertrain really shines on the open road-the V6 torque and well-tuned gearing make long-distance freeway cruising effortless and quiet.5 reasons to love the 2026 honda passport2. Capable i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive TechThe Passport isn't just about rugged plastic cladding; it backs up its tough appearance with real-world trail hardware. Standard on the 2026 model is Honda's upgraded i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt can send up to 70% of available engine torque to the rear wheels, and 100% of that torque to either individual rear wheel. Combined with the TrailSport trim's lifted suspension, protective skid plates, and meatier all-terrain tires, it tackles rough terrain and lifted-wheel trail obstacles with ease.Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro vs Honda Passport TrailSport ComparisonToyota 4Runner TRD Pro vs Honda Passport TrailSport ComparisonThe lines are blurring between SUVs and crossovers. Traditionally, an SUV needed to have a truck-based, body-on-frame design, like the Toyota 4Runner. Crossovers used car-based, unibody construction. Some vehicles already muddied the waters-looking at you, unibody Jeep Grand Cherokee-and the general population's adoption of "SUV" as a catch-all doesn't make it any easier. But the accepted wisdom is that body-on-frame is more capable off-road, and unibody is better-mannered on the tarmac.That's why we've got the (body-on-frame) Toyota 4Runner and (unibody) Honda Passport here in their most rugged forms. Can modern engineering close the gap, ensuring both of these vehicles can get closer to each other's strengths? Mike Schlee and I spent a week with them to figure it out.Kyle PatrickKyle Patrick5 reasons to love the 2026 honda passport3. Smart, Practical Interior TechHonda nailed the balance between modern digital displays and tactile physical controls inside the cabin. You get a sharp 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a fast, responsive 12.3-inch central touchscreen running Google built-in software.AdvertisementAdvertisementCrucially, Honda kept real physical knobs and buttons for the climate control system and audio volume. Plus, features like a dedicated camera button right on the turn-signal stalk allow drivers to instantly trigger external trail views without digging through digital menus.5 reasons to love the 2026 honda passport4. Cavernous Rear Passenger and Cargo SpaceRemoving the third row found in the Pilot allows the Passport to offer an exceptionally spacious two-row interior layout. Rear passengers enjoy massive legroom and headroom, making long-distance road trips comfortable for adults.Behind the second row sits a huge 44 cubic-foot cargo hold that expands even further when the rear seats are folded completely flat, leaving plenty of room for camping gear or luggage.2026 Honda Passport TrailSport vs 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness2026 Honda Passport TrailSport vs 2026 Subaru Outback WildernessCompetitors don't always seem obvious at first glance. In the world of mid-size SUVs, there is such a variety of interpretations within the class, we've had not one, but two different segment-wide comparison shootouts. The second of those shootouts featured SUVs that are designed to be taken further off-road than the average sport utility vehicle. These are part of the new world of ruggedized ordinary SUVs, for those with adventurous lifestyles (or aspire to be at least). Two entries in that shootout were the Honda Passport TrailSport and Subaru Outback Wilderness, which we are going to look at in greater detail here.Mike SchleeMike Schlee5 reasons to love the 2026 honda passportAdvertisementAdvertisement5. Excellent Road Manners and Cabin InsulationDespite riding on rugged all-terrain tires, the TrailSport Elite delivers remarkably quiet and supple ride quality on pavement. The beefed-up chassis rigidity, acoustic windshield glass, and tight door seals keep wind and tire noise out of the cabin. Steering is light, direct, and responsive, allowing the midsize crossover to feel nimble and easy to maneuver around town.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.