While every trim in the Honda Passport lineup can easily tackle an off-roading journey, the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport takes it to the next level. Honda recently gave a somewhat bonkers demonstration of just how rugged this vehicle is by suspending three of them from a crane by their newly designed recovery points. Ultimately, the vehicle at the top capably held 14,000 lbs in the end and its bumper reached a height of 100 feet. But what does this information tell us? Mostly that this light truck is one tough customer. And it’s not just because of those recovery points. Let’s take a closer look.
2026 Honda Passport Trailsport vs RTL
The 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport has been designed with a bias toward offroading vs highway and city street comfort:
Off-road Tuned Suspension
The Honda Passport TrailSport comes with an off-road-tuned suspension designed to enhance its capabilities on rough and uneven terrain. This is accomplished with:
- Stronger Springs: The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport features stiffer springs, which help in handling the extra weight and provide better stability when driving on off-road terrains. These springs can absorb the shocks from rough surfaces while maintaining control.
- Increased Ride Height: The suspension on the Honda Passport Trailsport is raised, offering additional ground clearance compared to the standard Passport. This extra clearance helps the vehicle avoid obstacles like rocks, tree roots, or uneven surfaces, allowing the tires to maintain better contact with the ground.
- Revised Dampers: The dampers (shock absorbers) on the TrailSport are tuned differently to help control body movements during off-road driving. This tuning ensures the vehicle can handle bumps, dips, and rough surfaces more effectively, keeping the ride stable and less jarring.
Four VERY Strong Recovery Points
The 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport and Trailsport Elite have four recovery points. The two in front are bright orange and easily accessible. The system, which is capable of supporting twice the Trailsport’s weight, was designed as a closed-loop recovery system. The recovery points are also corrosion-resistant and will break away if the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash. No other brand’s recovery system does this, but we bet we’ll start seeing copycats soon.
In the rear, the 2026 Passport Trailsport has a trailer hitch with a 7-pin connector which joins the two rear recovery points.
Rugged Styling
The new Honda Passport Trailsport has also been given a sporty makeover. Instead of the leather used in the RTL, the Trailsport features highly durable leatherette and cloth seats with the signature Trailsport orange stitching. It looks high-end but you won’t have a heart attack if it gets muddy or wet.
The Trailsport also upgrades you to all season floor mats and amber ambient lighting.
All Terrain Upgrades
The 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport is equipped with a host of additional features designed to enhance off-roading performance and safety:
Amber Daytime Running Lights: low-wattage lights glow amber during daylight conditions to increase visibility to other vehicles. This is particularly useful when you’re driving in the shadow of a mountain or through trees.
All Terrain Tires: these tires have a deeper tread for better traction on sand, mud, and snow. They are also affixed to the wheel with glossy black lug nuts for a super sleek look.
Underbody Skid Plate: highly abrasion-resistant plate to protect the engine, exhaust, transmission, etc. from getting dinged with rocks and other debris.
Helpful Tech:
- Heated windshield and wipers-no need to run the heater to defog the windshield or melt snow.
- Panoramic moonroof-get a full view of your natural surroundings and increase light in the cabin.
- Rear camera washer-keeps your backup cam crystal clear of dust and mud.
- LED fog lights-a must for off-roading, especially in early morning treks during the mountain mist.
What About The 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite?
Yes, what ABOUT it? Well, for an additional 4K, you get quite the boost:
- A multiview camera system
- Front camera washer
- Acoustic front glass
- SmartEntry
- Power lift tailgate
- Perforated leather with contrast stitching and black piping (ooh la la)
- Multiview camera system
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel and rear seats
- Integrated rear door shades
- And 12 speakers (versus 9 in the Sport
But one of the most exciting features of the 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite is the addition of TrailWatch. This system uses multiple cameras to provide a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. It helps drivers navigate tricky off-road environments by giving them a better view of their immediate surroundings, making it easier to see obstacles or uneven terrain that might be hard to spot from the driver’s seat.
Here’s how TrailWatch works:
- Multiple Cameras: TrailWatch uses several cameras strategically placed around the vehicle. These cameras provide live video feeds to the infotainment screen inside the cabin.
- 360-Degree View: The system offers a composite view from all these cameras, allowing the driver to monitor areas around the vehicle.
- Off-Road Assistance: While the system is particularly useful when off-roading, it can also help during tight parking situations or when driving in areas with limited visibility. It can assist the driver in maneuvering safely by showing obstacles or other vehicles that might not be immediately visible.
- Real-Time Display: The live video feed is shown on the central infotainment screen, offering real-time visuals of what’s happening around the vehicle. There’s a lot less “what was that?” coming from you and your passengers after you drive over something you didn’t see coming.
Buy A 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport In Denver
Have we convinced you yet? Every good Coloradan needs a solid off-roading vehicle, and you won’t do better than the Trailsport or the Trailsport Elite. If you don’t believe us, drop by our dealership for a test drive. We have a full inventory of the 2026 models in stock and ready for you to get behind the wheel. Call or go online today to get started!
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