Early Details for the 2026 Honda Passport

Revived for the 2019 model year, the modern Passport is a midsize SUV that has a lot to offer thanks to its impressive engine and even more remarkable overall engineering. A facelift for the 2022 model made it look even better than before, but the 2026 Passport is ready to shake things up further as Honda introduces an all-new model for its fourth generation.

As your Honda dealer near Morristown, we are incredibly excited about the updated and redesigned 2026 Passport—though, like you, we are still looking for more information. Honda has not been too forthcoming with details about the Passport yet, but we do know some things, and what information we have is enough to make us hungry for more.

Upgraded Engine and Transmission

One of the most important things about any vehicle is its engine; if a company misses out on making this impressive, there’s not much they can do to recover from that. With a midsize SUV, some manufacturers are tempted to put in a weak or underpowered engine that is “good enough” but far from exciting. Honda built its reputation on impressive performance and powerful engines that made it a leader in the motorcycle industry before it ever got into making passenger cars. You can still see this legacy when you look at their modern powertrains, and the 2026 Passport comes with a beauty.

You’ll find a next-generation 3.5L DOHC V6 engine in the 2026 model, which is similar to the one that current Passport drivers get to enjoy. For this update, the engine has been retuned and enhanced to deliver 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, delivering more power than the 2025 model. Even better, Honda is replacing the current nine-speed automatic transmission with a new 10-speed automatic, providing smoother shifting and greater precision when driving around Morristown. These improvements make an SUV that was already incredibly fun to drive even better, both on and off the road.

Fantastic All-Wheel Drive Performance

As we said, engineering is Honda’s strong suit, but that’s about more than just the engine. For a few years now, Honda has been showing off their intelligent variable torque management (i-VTM4) all-wheel drive (AWD) system, and it continues to be standard with the 2026 model. The i-VTM4 AWD system is designed to provide greater power to the rear wheels and keep you in control no matter what Mother Nature throws at you, making it perfect both for dealing with rough weather and for heading off-road. A next-gen i-VTM4 system is featured on the updated 2026 model, which makes it perfect for all kinds of different conditions, ensuring you get home safely every day.

Without getting too technical, what makes Honda’s i-VTM4 system so impressive is how it sends power to different wheels. Up to 70% of the engine’s torque can be sent to the rear wheels through this AWD system, utilizing a transfer unit mounted up front rather than through a more common center differential. Not only that, but up to 100% of the transferred torque can go entirely to the left or right rear wheel. This provides incredible traction and control in all kinds of slippery conditions; even if you find yourself in mud, snow, or sand, the majority of the engine’s torque can go to a single rear wheel to help you avoid getting stuck.

Bold Off-Road Engineering and Capability

The next-generation i-VTM4 AWD system is a big part of what makes the all-new Passport such a capable SUV for heading off-road, but it is not the only part. As we mentioned before, the updated Passport has more power coming from its engine in addition to an upgraded transmission to provide you with smoother performance out on the trail. You’ll also find a trail-ready suspension on select Passport trims for improved maneuverability in the roughest conditions. This is perfect for heading off-road and keeping you in control at all times, especially in uneven terrain.

Beyond the impressive engineering that has gone into the Passport, Honda is also loading it with innovative tech and other features designed to enhance your experience when you leave the roads of Morristown behind and head out into the wilds. For example, the Trailsport Elite trim features a second-generation TrailWatch camera system designed to make maneuvering and staying safe on the trail easier. This provides you with enhanced visibility around and in front of your vehicle, particularly at ground level, with a front tire path indicator that shows you exactly where your tires are headed, making it easy to adjust as you need to avoid obstacles or things on the trail that could damage your tires.

Gorgeous Interior Features and Details

While the all-new Passport is a great choice for heading off-road, it also works beautifully as a daily driver that enhances your time on the road. Honda has designed a stunning, well-appointed interior that you’ll look forward to surrounding yourself with each day. Up front, a 12.3-inch infotainment display with Google Built-In and a 10.2-inch Digital Instrument Cluster make it easy to stay connected and get the most from your vehicle. The large central display is particularly useful when it comes to running different apps or taking advantage of other tech features, such as the TrailWatch camera system.

In addition to these impressive tech features, the interior has been completely redesigned and revised for the 2026 model year, creating an incredibly comfortable space. There is a clear focus on clean lines and open spaces that are functional without becoming overly complicated or so minimalist that you feel like things are missing. You can get leather upholstery inside (or synthetic leather that’s easy to clean and perfect for an off-road machine), along with heated and perforated seating, a heated steering wheel, and much more. No matter where your journey takes you around Morristown and beyond, the Passport is ready to get you there and make sure you’re comfortable along the way.

Refined Trim Selection to Make Shopping Easier

Although we enjoy having lots of options when shopping for a vehicle, we also love it when companies keep things simple. With the 2026 Passport, Honda has done just that, and you have three different trim levels to choose from, letting you get what you need without sorting through a dozen options. The RTL is your starting point and has a lot to offer if you want to keep things simple. From there, you can choose the TrailSport if you are looking for enhanced off-road performance and capabilities or the TrailSport Elite if you want all the bells and whistles. You can’t go wrong with any of these Passport trims; it simply comes down to knowing what you want and then choosing the trim with everything you need.

The 2026 Passport Looks Perfect for Morristown Drivers

No matter what you’re looking for in a two-row midsize SUV, it’s clear that Honda is ready to deliver with the 2026 Passport. It offers great looks inside and out, impressive performance both on and off the road, and, with the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features that it will undoubtedly come with, you can count on this vehicle to get you where you need to go safe and sound. Keep checking back with us to learn more or give us a call to discuss the full range of Honda vehicles today.