The 2026 Honda Passport represents a fresh approach to the mid-size SUV segment, sitting between the smaller CR-V and the larger three-row Pilot in Honda’s lineup. While primarily sold in North American markets, this fourth-generation Passport has generated interest among UK buyers seeking a capable, adventure-focused SUV without the bulk of three-row models. Built on the same platform as the Pilot but with a shorter wheelbase and more rugged character, the Passport competes with vehicles like the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Mazda CX-90 in markets where it’s available.
Table of Contents
Design and Exterior Styling
The 2026 Honda Passport adopts a noticeably more aggressive, adventure-ready look compared with Honda’s other SUVs. The front end is defined by a bold hexagonal grille with thick horizontal slats, giving the 2026 Passport a more muscular stance than the family-oriented Pilot. LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights extend into the wings, enhancing visual width and adding a modern touch.
Along the bonnet, pronounced character lines and a central power bulge reinforce the rugged identity of the 2026 Honda Passport. The front bumper sits higher than on typical crossovers, with large air intakes on either side and a substantial skid plate underneath. On TrailSport models, orange accent detailing and exposed tow hooks further highlight the off-road focus of the 2026 Passport.
Higher specifications of the 2026 Honda Passport introduce active grille shutters, which close at motorway speeds to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. LED fog lights are positioned low in the bumper to provide extra visibility in poor weather or when driving off-road. Overall, the design clearly communicates capability and adventure, setting the 2026 Passport apart from Honda’s more conservative SUV lineup.
Side Profile and Proportions
From the side, the 2026 Passport displays shorter, more athletic proportions compared to the three-row Pilot. The wheelbase measures 2,750mm, approximately 80mm shorter than the Pilot, creating a more compact footprint that aids manoeuvrability on tight trails or congested urban streets. The roofline remains fairly flat from front to rear, maximising interior headroom without the sloping design that compromises practicality.
Black plastic cladding surrounds the wheel arches and lower body panels, providing protection during off-road excursions or car park mishaps. The cladding extends higher up the body than typical crossovers, reinforcing the Passport’s adventure focus. Roof rails come fitted as standard, rated to carry substantial loads for roof boxes, kayaks, or bike carriers.
Interior Features and Technology
The 2026 Passport’s interior strikes a balance between ruggedness and refinement. A 7-inch digital driver display comes standard on base models, expanding to a 10.2-inch screen on higher specifications. The layout remains straightforward with clear, easy-to-read graphics that display essential information without unnecessary complexity.
A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system features on base models, with higher trims receiving a larger 12.3-inch display that dominates the centre console. The screen sits upright in the dashboard, angled slightly towards the driver for easier operation while driving. Physical buttons and rotary dials control climate settings below the screen, allowing quick adjustments without diving into touchscreen menus.
The materials emphasise durability rather than luxury, with hard-wearing plastics covering high-contact areas. Higher specifications add soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door tops, along with leather upholstery and contrast stitching. The build quality feels solid throughout, with switches that operate with satisfying clicks and panels that fit together tightly.
Infotainment System
Honda’s latest infotainment system powers the central touchscreen, offering improved response times and clearer graphics compared to previous generations. The interface uses large, easy-to-select tiles that make finding functions straightforward, even when wearing gloves or during bumpy off-road driving. The system supports split-screen functionality on the larger 12.3-inch display, allowing you to view navigation and audio information simultaneously.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the range, eliminating the need for charging cables during daily driving. The system also includes Honda’s connected services, providing remote vehicle monitoring, roadside assistance, and the ability to start the engine or adjust climate settings from your smartphone. Over-the-air software updates keep the system current throughout ownership without requiring dealer visits.
Seating and Space
Front seats provide generous support with substantial side bolsters that hold you in place during spirited driving or off-road adventures. Power adjustment comes standard from mid-level trims upwards, with heating and ventilation available on higher specifications. The driving position sits high, providing commanding visibility that proves particularly useful during off-road driving or navigating heavy urban traffic.
Second-row space impresses, with ample legroom even when tall adults occupy the front seats. The bench slides fore and aft by approximately 150mm, allowing you to prioritise passenger comfort or boot space depending on your needs. The seats also recline slightly, providing additional comfort during longer journeys. Unlike the Pilot, the Passport foregoes a third row entirely, dedicating that space to a substantially larger boot.
Technology and Convenience Features
A wireless phone charging pad features on the centre console on higher specifications, keeping devices topped up without trailing cables. Multiple USB ports throughout the cabin provide charging options for passengers, with USB-C ports standard on newer models. A household-style three-pin socket allows you to plug in laptops, camping equipment, or power tools during outdoor adventures.
Dual-zone climate control comes standard, with rear air vents ensuring passengers stay comfortable. Higher specifications add heated rear seats, a welcome luxury during winter camping trips or cold morning commutes. The system works effectively, quickly warming the cabin on cold mornings or cooling it down during hot summer days.
A panoramic sunroof brightens the interior on equipped models, with a power sunshade preventing excessive heat buildup during summer. The large glass panel creates an airy, open feeling that makes the interior feel more spacious, while the opening front section provides fresh air when desired.
Powertrain and Performance
The 2026 Passport uses a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 producing 285bhp and 355Nm of torque. This proven engine has served Honda well across multiple models, providing smooth, linear power delivery without the lag associated with turbocharged alternatives. The V6 pulls strongly from low revs, making it well-suited to off-road driving where smooth power application helps maintain traction.
The engine uses Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system, which can deactivate three cylinders under light loads to improve fuel economy. The system operates seamlessly, with no noticeable vibration when switching between six and three-cylinder operation. Official fuel economy figures hover around 24-25mpg during combined driving, though real-world figures typically come closer to 21-23mpg depending on driving style and conditions.
The naturally aspirated character means the engine rewards revving, with peak power arriving at 5,800rpm. This suits the Passport’s character well, providing smooth, progressive acceleration rather than overwhelming torque that might prove difficult to manage on slippery surfaces. The V6 produces a pleasant soundtrack when extended, with a subtle growl that adds character without becoming intrusive or tiresome.
Transmission and Drive Modes
A 10-speed automatic gearbox comes fitted to all models, offering smooth shifts during normal driving and quick responses when you need acceleration. The transmission works intelligently, selecting appropriate gears for the situation without the hunting behaviour that affected earlier Honda automatics. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allow manual control when desired, useful for engine braking on steep descents or maintaining specific gears during spirited driving.
The drive mode selector offers multiple settings that adjust throttle response, steering weight, transmission behaviour, and all-wheel-drive characteristics. Normal mode provides balanced responses suitable for daily driving, while Sport sharpens everything up for more engaging driving on twisty roads. Econ mode optimises fuel economy by smoothing throttle inputs and encouraging earlier upshifts.
Snow mode adjusts throttle response and traction control settings for slippery conditions, allowing more wheelspin before intervening. TrailSport models add Sand and Mud modes that further relax traction control and adjust transmission behaviour for off-road driving. These modes work effectively, providing confidence when conditions deteriorate without requiring constant driver intervention.
All-Wheel Drive System
All 2026 Passport models come with Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment. This intelligent system can send up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels when needed, improving traction in poor weather conditions or on slippery surfaces. The system also features torque vectoring, which can send power to individual rear wheels to help the Passport rotate through corners or maintain traction when wheels lose grip.
The system monitors multiple inputs, including steering angle, throttle position, and individual wheel speeds, to determine optimal power distribution. It works transparently during normal driving, sending most power to the front wheels for efficiency while instantly directing torque rearward when front wheel slip is detected.
TrailSport models get enhanced all-wheel drive with additional off-road capability. Hill descent control maintains a steady speed during steep descents without requiring constant brake pedal modulation, while the system’s increased rear bias provides better traction during challenging off-road situations. Ground clearance increases to 216mm on TrailSport models compared to 204mm on standard versions, improving approach and departure angles.
Off-Road Capability
While the Passport remains primarily road-focused, it offers more off-road capability than typical crossovers. The increased ground clearance allows you to tackle rutted tracks, ford shallow water crossings, and navigate obstacles that would ground lower vehicles. The all-terrain tyres on TrailSport models provide additional grip on loose surfaces, though they do increase road noise on tarmac.
Skid plates protect vital components, including the engine, fuel tank, and transfer case, during off-road adventures. The plates prove substantial enough to deflect rocks and scrape over obstacles without damage, providing confidence during trail driving. However, the independent suspension and road-biased underpinnings mean the Passport can’t match dedicated off-roaders like the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Land Rover Defender on truly challenging terrain.
For most buyers, the Passport provides adequate capability for forest tracks, muddy fields, beach access, and winter weather driving. It’s ideal for reaching remote camping spots, accessing mountain biking trails, or towing boats down slippery slipways, though serious off-road enthusiasts will want something more capable.
Safety Features
All 2026 Passport models include Honda Sensing, the manufacturer’s comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems. This package includes autonomous emergency braking that can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, providing visual and audible warnings before applying the brakes automatically if you fail to respond. The system works reliably, though it occasionally provides false warnings when approaching parked cars on narrow country lanes.
Lane keeping assist gently steers you back into your lane if you drift across white lines without indicating, while road departure mitigation can apply steering inputs and brake individual wheels to prevent the car from leaving the road entirely. These systems work together to reduce driver fatigue during longer journeys, though they require active supervision and can’t replace attentive driving.
Rear parking sensors feature across the range, with front sensors added from mid-level specifications upwards. A multi-angle reversing camera comes standard, providing normal, wide, and top-down views that make parking easier in tight spaces. The camera includes guidelines that turn with the steering wheel, helping you judge whether you’ll fit in narrow spots.
Driver Assistance Systems
Adaptive cruise control maintains a set distance from the car ahead, automatically adjusting speed in flowing traffic. The system works smoothly during motorway driving, reducing driver fatigue on longer journeys. Higher specifications add low-speed follow capability, allowing the Passport to bring itself to a complete halt in stop-start traffic and pull away again when vehicles ahead move.
Blind spot monitoring flashes warnings in the door mirrors when vehicles enter your blind spots, while rear cross-traffic alert warns of approaching vehicles when reversing out of parking spaces. These systems prove particularly useful given the Passport’s substantial size, providing early warnings that give you time to react safely.
Crash Test Results
The current-generation Passport received strong scores in US crash testing, earning a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. While European crash testing standards differ, the robust body structure and comprehensive airbag coverage suggest it would perform well in Euro NCAP testing if assessed.
Front, side, and curtain airbags protect occupants, while the front passengers get additional knee airbags. The body structure uses high-strength steel in critical areas, providing a strong safety cell while allowing controlled deformation in crumple zones to absorb impact energy. Advanced compatibility engineering ensures the Passport protects occupants in crashes with both larger and smaller vehicles.
Price
If the Passport were to arrive in the UK, pricing would likely start around £42,000 for the base Sport model. This specification would include LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance systems. The 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would also feature at this level, along with the i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system as standard.
EX specification would add approximately £3,500, bringing 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. A power tailgate, wireless phone charging, and upgraded premium audio system would also appear at this level. The digital driver display would expand to 10.2 inches, providing more detailed information and additional customisation options.
EX-L models would cost around £48,000, adding a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. Additional chrome exterior trim and ambient interior lighting would also feature, along with a household three-pin socket in the boot. This specification represents the sweet spot for most buyers, offering substantial equipment without the premium pricing of top models.
Running Costs
Insurance groups would likely fall in the 28-32E range, depending on specification, reflecting the large engine but relatively mainstream brand positioning. VED (road tax) would sit in the higher bands due to CO2 emissions, costing around £600 annually after the first year. The luxury car tax supplement would apply for the first five years of ownership on models costing over £40,000 when new, adding £410 per year.
Servicing intervals occur every 12 months or 12,500 miles, with Honda dealers charging around £280-380 for a minor service and £480-620 for a major service, including oil, filters, and brake fluid changes. Independent specialists offer savings of 30-40% on labour rates while still using genuine Honda parts, making them worth considering once the warranty expires.
Conclusion
The 2026 Honda Passport offers adventure-focused buyers a capable, practical SUV without the bulk of three-row models. The generous boot space, rugged styling, and enhanced off-road capability on TrailSport models provide genuine utility for active lifestyles, while the smooth V6 engine and comfortable interior make it suitable for daily driving. However, the lack of official UK availability, high fuel consumption, and substantial size mean it won’t suit everyone. For buyers who need genuine adventure capability and prioritise space over fuel economy, the Passport delivers effectively, though you’ll need to either wait for potential official UK sales or navigate the complexities and compromises of importing a left-hand-drive model.