Honda is preparing an updated Passport for the end of 2026, just two years after the launch of the current generation’s sales. According to insiders, we can expect light design changes and, more importantly, a lifted suspension for the TrailSport off-road version, which has clearly pleased buyers.
TrailSport’s success and future plans
The TrailSport version accounted for approximately 80 percent of the 55,231 Passports sold in 2025. This proves that Americans still want their SUVs to look ready for off-roading, even if most of them will never see anything more challenging than a gravel road. This figure was a record for the model, yet it only allowed the Passport to rank fifth in the mid-size segment, so there is room for improvement. The situation is aided by the suspension of Ridgeline production until 2028, which will allow Honda to increase Passport output by 13 percent.
Technical improvements and a new look
The top-tier Passport trim already comes equipped with off-road tires, front and rear skid plates, and tow hooks. What it lacks is additional ground clearance. Despite its off-road suspension tuning, the TrailSport has the same 8.3 inches (211 mm) of clearance as other Passport versions.
This will soon change. According to Autonews, the factory will add 1 inch (2.5 cm) of lift, and an insider says Honda wants to give the 2027 Passport “more testosterone,” calling it “a little more masculine.”
Honda Passport TrailSport HRC Concept
Last year’s SEMA concept car seems to have been a precursor of where the model is heading. That Passport TrailSport HRC concept went further with a 2.4-inch lift, a full-size spare tire mount, a roof rack, additional LEDs, a special bumper, a Thermal Orange wrap, a unique interior, and a Garmin navigation unit.
Design and powertrain
In addition to the lift, Honda is expected to apply “minor changes” to the front and rear of the SUV, giving it a more “aggressive stance,” according to people familiar with the company’s plans. These changes could help the mid-size SUV better compete with serious off-roaders like the body-on-frame Toyota 4Runner TRD.
However, do not expect anything new under the hood. The powertrain lineup reportedly will retain the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 hp (213 kW / 289 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque, an engine that dates back to the previous generation. Power is sent to all four wheels via a ten-speed automatic transmission.
A hybrid V6 engine, promising 30 percent better efficiency and 10 percent stronger acceleration, is under development, but it likely won’t appear before the end of the decade.
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport
The 2027 Honda Passport update appears to be a well-considered response to market demand. By focusing on exterior aggressiveness and a small but important increase in ground clearance, the company is trying to solidify the success of the TrailSport version, which has already become a bestseller. The lack of powertrain changes may disappoint some enthusiasts, but pushing the hybrid version to a later date suggests Honda is betting on gradual evolution rather than a radical overhaul. Increasing production capacity through the pause in Ridgeline output is also a strategically sound move, allowing it to meet growing demand without significant investment in new assembly lines.