2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Long-Term Review: Here's Its Off-Road Performance.

      Ryan Perez

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      It's been a while since our last episode in the Honda Passport TrailSport long-term series. However, given that we've been in the heart of winter here in the Midwest, I covered snow and cold-weather driving earlier this year, so things have been quite similar since then. Fortunately, we are now in early April, and we've enjoyed a few days of nice weather lately—even hitting the 70s during an unexpected warm weekend. So, I did what any sensible person would do: I went off-roading.

      With plenty of sunshine and mild weather, I packed up both kids along with the usual equipment (tow strap, air pressure gauge, flag, gloves, tools, etc.) and set off for the off-road park. Even though I had had the Passport for nearly seven months by that point, I hadn't yet taken it off-roading. I was saving that experience for later in my time with the vehicle in case something happened to it. Also, since I didn’t join the initial media drive—which was conducted by Andrew Collins—this marked my first off-roading experience with the new Passport. I had done it with the previous generation, but not this model. I was genuinely looking forward to it, especially given my experience with the surprisingly capable Pilot TrailSport.

      If you’d like to check out previous installments before diving into the latest update, here are the shortcuts:

      Welcome Passport: Specs, Test Details, Ultimate Goal

      First Impressions

      Analysis: Features and Equipment

      5,000-Mile Review

      The Honda Passport Wave Is a Thing

      Let’s Chat: I Answer All of Your Questions

      10K Miles, Snow, and a Trip to the Dealer

      The Fundamentals

      For those who may not be very familiar with the Passport’s specifications, here are the essentials: the 3.5-liter V6 engine generates 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Honda’s second-generation Intelligent Variable Torque Management four-wheel-drive system distributes power to all four wheels, while Trail Torque Logic with Snow, Trail, and Sand modes adjusts power, torque, and slip settings as needed based on the trail conditions.

      The TrailSport trim features 8.3 inches of ground clearance, underbody protection, and rugged 31-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires mounted on 18-inch wheels. The approach and departure angles are 23° and 23.1°, respectively. The front setup consists of MacPherson struts, while a multi-link suspension is found in the rear, both with trim-specific tuning. Additionally, it includes Hill-Start Assist and Hill-Descent Control, as well as surround-view cameras (including a front camera) for better assistance both on- and off-road.

      Off-Roading

      The TrailSport package offers a complete upgrade that extends beyond just aesthetics. While it doesn't transform a Honda SUV into a Wrangler or Defender, and yes, it serves as a substantial sales pitch for Honda targeting "rugged-look enthusiasts," it would be an oversimplification to describe it as merely cosmetic. Although the hardware enhancements may not appear overly dramatic (the suspension and tires alone significantly contribute to its capabilities), it’s the tuning and integration of these components that truly elevate the Passport's off-road capabilities.

      Having frequented this off-road park in Northwest Indiana for more than a decade, I am quite familiar with the trails and have tested numerous vehicles there over the years. Given the relatively dry terrain with few patches of snow or mud, I chose the same trail I had previously tackled in a Lexus GX550 and a Defender 90. While it was a bit ambitious, there were enough alternative options to divert to an easier trail if necessary.

      The first aspect that caught my attention was the suspension's compliance. As I’ve mentioned in my reviews, the suspension can feel rather soft and bouncy on the road, especially when driving aggressively in town. However, on rugged, crater-filled trails, the Passport felt perfectly at ease. The wheel articulation at low and moderate speeds was impressive, and the General Grabbers performed admirably when climbing or descending hills. I primarily selected the Trail driving mode, which provided ample wheel slip on loose dirt and maintained smooth throttle response on inclines.

      After navigating a rocky creek with about a foot of water, I prepared for a steep and challenging climb featuring a large boulder protruding from the ground on the left side near the top, while some gnarly tree roots jutted out on the right side below. Having tackled this before, the key is to keep the vehicle as far left as possible, close to the dirt wall, while avoiding too much sideways tilt that could cause it to slide right. If that occurs, you risk needing two new doors if the vehicle gets wedged against the tree roots and rocks. To safely maneuver