Honda Just Lifted The 2027 Passport TrailSport Above the Toyota 4RunnerAutoblogSimran RastogiWed, September 9, 2026 at 6:15 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Honda has never been shy about styling the Passport TrailSport as a trail-ready SUV. For 2027, though, the whole look comes with actual hardware behind it. The midsize SUV gets a comprehensively reworked suspension that raises ground clearance to 9.65 inches, up 1.38 inches from last year. Honda says that number now edges out the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road. For a unibody crossover to sit taller than a body-on-frame off-roader on paper is proof that Honda is trying to close the capability gap without abandoning the Passport's crossover-friendly road manners.HondaWhat Actually Changed UnderneathThis isn't a set of taller springs bolted on and called a day. Honda says nearly 70 percent of the suspension's major components were redesigned, including springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars and knuckles. The front driveshafts and subframe were also reworked to accommodate the extra ride height and wheel travel. Add it all up and 28 suspension and chassis parts are new or reengineered for 2027.HondaThe payoff shows up in the geometry that actually matters off pavement. Approach and departure angles climb to 25 degrees each, up two degrees, while breakover angle improves by three degrees to 23. Translation: fewer scraped bumpers and skid plates on rutted trails, and a bit more confidence cresting steep approaches. Honda also claims improved steering feel on the road, which suggests the engineers didn't sacrifice everyday drivability chasing trail cred. That's the harder trick, frankly. Lifting a vehicle usually makes it feel vague and floaty; keeping it planted while adding nearly an inch and a half of height is where the real engineering effort goes.Tech And Trim Upgrades Worth KnowingHonda is also making the TrailSport easier to place on a trail. TrailWatch, previously reserved for the TrailSport Elite, is now standard across the lineup, giving drivers front, rear, side and 360-degree views with tire-placement graphics. That's a much more meaningful upgrade than the tougher-looking grille and new hood lights because it addresses one of the Passport's biggest limitations off-road: visibility around obstacles. A heated steering wheel also trickles down to the whole TrailSport lineup. Styling gets tougher too, with more pronounced fender flares, a resculpted front fascia, and amber hood scoop lights that echo the Passport's signature amber DRLs. The Blackout Package adds black fascias and new black lower skid garnishes.HondaWhy This Matters For HondaTrailSport trims already account for more than 80 percent of Passport sales as of mid-2026, so Honda is clearly leaning into what's working rather than chasing a niche. The question is whether those buyers will actually use the extra capability. My guess is that most won't come close to really testing the new suspension's potential. But, then again, they don't have to. For many buyers, knowing their SUV can handle a rough trail is all of the appeal, and then some.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.