By Jerry Perez. Published May 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDT. The biggest car news and reviews, no BS. Our free daily newsletter sends the stories that really matter directly to you, every weekday. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
Back in April, I said goodbye to The Drive's 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport long-term tester. More specifically, it was my 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport, as I was the only one who drove it basically every single day for almost nine months. After 13,000 miles, it went back to the mothership to be auctioned off and find a new home.
I've been doing this job for a little over a decade now, and that's, by far, the longest I've driven a press car, and also the most miles I've put on one. I lived with the Passport—I had lots of good times in it, but also lots of not-so-nice ones. Like I always say, life happens in cars, and the Pumpkin King was no exception. It took me on countless grocery runs, school drop-offs, and pick-ups; it took my son to his high school graduation; and eventually, it moved him out to his dorm at Purdue University. It also moved me and my belongings to a new home, where I started a new chapter of my life last year. Oh, and there were a couple of road trips, too, like a cross-country dash to a Billie Eilish concert for my daughter's birthday. The Passport did it all, and so I learned everything about it: its good side, its quirks, and most of all, its cheery can-do attitude.
View Price on AmazonIf you're in the market for a Honda Passport, or maybe just a midsize, rugged SUV in general, here's what you can expect. The Passport TrailSport is a boxy, rugged crossover that's quite capable off-road, but more on that later. Like all mainstream crossovers out there, its main mission is to shuttle you and your family to wherever you need to go—and do it safely, comfortably, and without any headaches. On those fronts, the Passport more than meets the criteria and passes these tests with flying colors. In fact, it earns bonus points for its unique design that sets it apart from its many rivals. Frankly, that's no easy feat in such a crowded segment.
What I enjoyed most about the Passport TrailSport was its versatility. It's a super comfy daily driver, but its 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower offered enough grunt when necessary. If you read my previous blogs, you'll know how I feel about its suspension (very soft and springy), so don't expect a sporty ride. If what you're looking for is comfort for you and the family on city roads and highways alike, it has you covered.
Likewise, there isn't a bad seat in the house. I found the front and rear seats to be very comfortable, especially in the top-shelf TrailSport trim, as they were heated and ventilated up front, and heated in the rear. They offered plenty of cushion and support without feeling like a living-room recliner or, at the other end, way too sporty.
Technology: Honda's infotainment system with Google built in is pretty much my favorite to date. Sure, it's the one I've experienced the longest, obviously, but it just makes sense. The Google interface is pretty much identical to what you'd find on your Chrome browser when navigating the internet, as well as Google Maps. You can log in with your Google credentials, so it remembers your recurring routes, destinations, and preferences, and it synchronizes notifications. It makes life easy. You can also have multiple users if you share the Passport with someone else. It's very intuitive—so much so that I didn't even use wireless Apple CarPlay all that much, mostly for Apple Music.
Breadth of Capability: When you buy a Suburban, you get a great highway vehicle. The Passport TrailSport is a boxy, rugged crossover that's quite capable off-road, but more on that later.
Source: thedrive.com
