Honda Teases 2026 Passport TrailSport, Promises More Capability

by Carl Malek | July 16, 2024

The Honda Passport has proven to be a sales hit for the company with the rugged SUV building a strong following among SUV buyers. However, the model is also starting to show its age and is in need of a refresh. Honda has delivered and has teased the next-generation Passport.

Honda is promising big changes for the 2026 Honda Passport.

Evolution and the ability to keep up with the times are key parameters that automakers need to follow when it comes to succeeding in the SUV segment. In the case of the Honda Passport, the ravages of time are starting to catch up with it. While the model has managed to build a strong following among buyers, it’s no secret that its performance and infotainment technology are starting to show its age.

The 2026 Passport aims to address these flaws with Honda reps releasing a lone teaser image that appears to confirm that the SUV is about to embrace more of its wild side while also providing other updates to help add more polish to its trail manners.

Passport gets more personality

Expect the Passport to continue borrowing plenty of styling cues from its big brother the Pilot.

Honda’s lone teaser image focuses on the Trailsport model and it’s evident that the bland front fascia is getting a major overhaul with the front grille getting a more aggressive design while the headlights are now C-shaped and get integrated amber DRLs. The grille also appears to be smaller than before but we’ll have to wait for more teaser images to emerge to find out if this is indeed the case.

Meanwhile, the Passport script is displayed on the front fascia itself and the hood has a newly added scoop to help improve cooling to the engine while also giving it a sportier look at the same time. This boost in personality could help lure in more customers especially younger buyers that often place styling as one of their top priorities when looking at an SUV to purchase.

When will we see it?

The outgoing model is starting to show its age and Honda is clearly trying to appeal to younger buyers with the 2026 model.

Honda says that the 2026 Honda Passport will be the most “adventure-ready and capable Honda SUV yet” with the model scheduled to arrive early next year. The next-generation model will most likely retain its Pilot-based platform and also borrow other styling cues from its bigger brother to help it stand out on dealer lots. The presence of the hood scoop suggests that the naturally aspirated V6 could be joined by a smaller turbocharged engine in an attempt to improve fuel economy and also give buyers a new base engine.

A hybrid model is also possible but look for such a variant to appear later since the updated version will need time to get itself established in dealer lots first.