Which Honda Passport Trim Is Right For Your Lifestyle?

The fourth generation Honda Passport arrived for 2026 with a longer wheelbase, wider track and taller ground clearance than the version it replaced. Honda also expanded the lineup to seven factory configurations, which is a wider spread of choices than this two-row SUV has ever offered. Shoppers walking into that decision often expect the trims to differ under the hood, though the engineering tells a different story.

The right pick comes down to how you actually spend your day and weekends. So where does your own driving life fall on that map?

What Every 2026 Passport Gives You

Every configuration in the 2026 lineup runs the same 285 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, paired with a 10-speed automatic and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive with Trail Torque Logic. That shared foundation removes the powertrain question from your decision. The seven configurations sort into three families, which are RTL, TrailSport and TrailSport Elite, with Towing and Blackout variations layered on top. What separates them is equipment, tires, suspension tuning and cabin comfort. Your answer lives in how you use the vehicle, not in how much power it makes.

Passport RTL For Daily Driving and Towing

The RTL opens the range at $44,950 and arrives fully equipped for the commuting, school runs and highway trips that fill a calendar. Standard all-wheel drive, Google built-in and a power tailgate come with it, and the road-oriented tires deliver the best fuel economy in the family at 19 city and 25 highway. Two variations build on that base, with RTL Towing at $45,650 adding an integrated Class III trailer hitch for boats, campers and trailers. RTL Blackout follows at $46,150, swapping in 18-inch black alloy wheels, HPD center caps and dark badging. Drivers who tow occasionally and rarely leave pavement will find this family covers the whole picture without paying for hardware they never use.

Passport TrailSport for Trailheads and Rough Roads

The TrailSport starts at $48,650 and changes the vehicle’s character through purpose-built hardware rather than added horsepower. All-terrain tires and an off-road tuned suspension come standard, along with steel skid plates, high visibility recovery hooks and a heated wiper zone for cold Missouri mornings. Amber daytime running lights and orange front tow hooks mark it visually, giving the trim its own identity in a crowded parking lot. Fuel economy dips slightly to 18 city and 23 highway, which is the practical trade-off that comes with those chunkier tires and the taller stance. TrailSport Blackout adds the darker treatment at $49,850 for drivers who want the capability paired with a more assertive look on the daily drive.

Passport TrailSport Elite for Capability with Comfort

TrailSport Elite arrives at $52,650 as a first for the Passport nameplate, layering premium comfort onto the same trail-ready foundation. Leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, passive entry and a 12-speaker Bose audio system change how the cabin feels on a long drive. The Multi-View Camera System with TrailWatch gives you a clearer view of what sits just beyond the hood when the terrain turns uneven and the sightlines shorten. Integrated rear door sunshades and a hands-free power tailgate with walk-away close round out the convenience list for families hauling gear and kids. TrailSport Elite Blackout tops the range at $53,850, which places $8,900 between the entry point and the ceiling of this lineup.

Find the Passport That Fits Your Day

Choosing among the 2026 Passport trims is a question about your daily needs rather than your horsepower needs, since every configuration delivers the same V6 and all-wheel drive system. The RTL family suits pavement and towing, TrailSport handles rougher ground, and TrailSport Elite brings comfort along for the trip. At Frank Leta Honda, our team walks through those distinctions with you in person, where the differences in seat feel, tire noise and cargo access become obvious. We carry the Passport across the lineup and back every new Honda with our Frank Leta Lifetime Warranty, covering parts and labor on service-related repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.

Schedule a test drive at 500 Auto Mall Drive in O’Fallon and we will bring out the trims on your shortlist today.

FAQs

Do all 2026 Honda Passport trims have the same engine?

Yes. Every configuration runs the same 285 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive with Trail Torque Logic. That means the trim decision comes down to tires, suspension tuning, cabin comfort and technology rather than power. Fuel economy differs slightly, with RTL rated 21 combined and TrailSport trims at 20.

What is the difference between TrailSport and TrailSport Elite?

TrailSport brings the off-road hardware, including all-terrain tires, a tuned suspension, steel skid plates and recovery hooks. TrailSport Elite keeps all of that and layers on comfort, adding leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 12-speaker Bose system, rear door sunshades and the Multi-View Camera System with TrailWatch. Pricing separates them by roughly $4,000.

How much does a 2026 Honda Passport cost?

The lineup opens at $44,950 for the RTL and tops out at $53,850 for the TrailSport Elite Blackout, a spread of $8,900 across seven configurations. RTL Towing runs $45,650, RTL Blackout $46,150, TrailSport $48,650, TrailSport Blackout $49,850 and TrailSport Elite $52,650. Those figures exclude destination charges, taxes and registration. Your final total will depend on the configuration you choose.