What’s in a Name? Apparently… a Lot of Trail.
There’s a famous maxim that asks, “What’s in a name?”
It’s meant to suggest that a name doesn’t really matter — that the substance behind it is what counts.
But today… I’m not so sure.
Because the vehicle I’m reviewing is called the 2026 Honda Passport, and if you ask me, the name is the least exciting thing about it.
Don’t get me wrong — “Passport” isn’t a bad name. It’s just… a little plain. A little bureaucratic. It sounds like something you renew at a government office, not something you take mudding through the backwoods with a kayak strapped to the roof.
Now the trim name, however — TrailSport — that’s a different story.
That name nails it.
Because the Passport TrailSport is exactly that: a rugged, adventurous, trail-ready crossover SUV that clearly separates itself from Honda’s more suburban siblings like the CR-V or Pilot. The Passport doesn’t want to spend its life idling in a school pickup line.
It wants dirt.
It wants gravel.
It wants the road that Google Maps politely labels “Are you sure?”
But before we revisit the name debate, let’s talk about the Wows — the things that make the Passport TrailSport genuinely cool.
The Wows (AKA the Trail Credentials)
- Real Off-Road Ground Clearance
The Passport TrailSport sits noticeably taller than most crossovers in this class. With roughly 8.3 inches (210 mm) of ground clearance, it’s built to handle uneven trails, rutted cottage roads, and rocky campsites without scraping its underbelly every ten feet.
That extra clearance makes a real difference when you leave pavement behind. It means fewer “uh-oh” moments when you encounter a washout, a steep approach angle, or a surprise rock hiding in tall grass.
This is not just a styling package pretending to be adventurous. The Passport actually looks like it belongs on a trail — and more importantly, it behaves like it does too.
- Seven Terrain Drive Modes
If the ground clearance doesn’t convince you the Passport means business, the seven selectable drive modes probably will.
These modes adjust throttle response, transmission behavior, traction control and AWD engagement to handle different terrain types.
Depending on conditions, you can select modes such as:
- Normal
- Sport
- Snow
- Sand
- Mud
- Tow
- Trail
In practical terms, it means the Passport can adapt quickly whether you’re climbing a slippery boat ramp, heading up a muddy trail to the cabin, or towing a small camper through cottage country.
Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD system quietly shifts power between wheels to maintain traction, which makes the Passport feel much more capable than the average grocery-getter SUV.
- 5,000-lb Towing Capacity
Another clue that Honda expects owners to actually do things with this SUV is the 5,000-pound towing capacity.
That’s plenty of muscle for:
- A fishing boat
- A small camper trailer
- A utility trailer loaded with ATVs
- A couple of dirt bikes or snowmobiles
For weekend adventurers, this is exactly the kind of versatility that makes the Passport appealing. It’s a daily driver during the week and an escape machine on Friday afternoon.
- TrailWatch Surround Camera System
One of the Passport’s most clever features is Honda’s TrailWatch camera system.
Think of it as a digital trail guide.
When you’re crawling along a narrow path or navigating rocky terrain, TrailWatch activates multiple exterior cameras that display different angles around the vehicle on the center screen.
Drivers can view:
- Front trail view
- Side tire positioning
- Wide forward angle for obstacles
In other words, it helps you avoid the two biggest off-road fears: scraping something expensive… or driving over something you shouldn’t have.
It’s one of those features you might not use every day — but when you need it, you’ll be very glad it’s there.
The Yikes (Nothing Fatal, But Worth Noting)
No vehicle is perfect, and the Passport has a few quirks buyers should consider.
- The V6 and 10-Speed Don’t Always Get Along
Under the hood is Honda’s familiar 3.5-litre V6, producing about 280 horsepower. It’s a proven engine that has powered millions of Hondas and is known for reliability.
The issue isn’t the engine — it’s the 10-speed automatic transmission paired with it.
During normal driving, the gearbox can sometimes feel like it’s searching for the right gear, especially at lower speeds or when gently accelerating. The occasional shift can feel slightly abrupt or clunky.
It’s not terrible, but it’s noticeable enough that you wonder if the calibration could be a little smoother.
- The Driver’s Seat Could Be Better
The Passport’s interior materials are very good — especially the TrailSport Touring’s leather seats — but comfort is subjective, and I found the driver’s seat slightly firmer than expected.
On shorter drives it’s perfectly fine, but during longer highway stretches I found myself adjusting position more than usual.
Some drivers will love the supportive firmness. Others may wish it had a bit more cushion.
- No Hybrid Option
This one surprised me.
Honda has been aggressively rolling out hybrid systems across much of its lineup, yet the Passport still relies exclusively on the V6.
A hybrid option would dramatically improve fuel economy and broaden the Passport’s appeal — especially at a time when many buyers want efficiency without sacrificing capability.
For now, the Passport remains proudly old-school: six cylinders, gasoline, and a healthy appetite for fuel.
- Price vs the Competition
The Passport isn’t outrageously priced — but it’s also not cheap.
And when you look at the competition, it raises an eyebrow or two.
For example:
- It can run nearly $10,000 more than a Ford Bronco Sport
- Yet it sits almost exactly in the same price territory as a Toyota 4Runner – AND, the Runner has a Hybrid option, yikes.
That’s a tough neighbourhood to compete in.
Interior, UX & Infotainment
Inside, the Passport follows the current Honda design philosophy, which means everything is clean, functional, and refreshingly simple.
The dashboard layout feels familiar if you’ve recently driven a CR-V, Pilot, or Accord.
Highlights include:
- A large center touchscreen
- Physical climate control knobs (thank you, Honda)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Clear digital driver display
The system is easy to use and logically laid out, which is something Honda has become very good at.
Is it the most futuristic interface on the market? No.
But it’s intuitive, responsive, and doesn’t require a YouTube tutorial to change the radio station — which in today’s infotainment world is practically a luxury.
Pricing: Where the Rubber Meets the Trail
Thanks to CarCostCanada and LeaseBusters, we can take a closer look at what the Passport actually costs to own.
Honda lists four trims, but in reality, there are only two real versions:
- TrailSport AWD — $56,990
- TrailSport Blackout AWD — $58,190
- TrailSport Touring AWD — $60,540
- TrailSport Touring Blackout AWD — $61,740
The Blackout package is essentially a $1,200 appearance upgrade that swaps chrome for black accents, including:
- 18″ black alloy wheels
- Black Honda badges
- Black Passport badging
Is that worth it?
That’s entirely up to you — but blacked-out SUVs definitely look meaner.
The TrailSport Touring AWD I tested broke down like this:
- MSRP: $60,540
- Freight: $2,000
- Air Conditioning Tax: $100
- Metallic Paint: $400
Total: $63,040
Add dealer admin fees and other levies and you’re pushing $64,000 before taxes.
It adds up quickly.
Monthly Reality Check
According to LeaseBusters, the payments for the tested model look like this:
Lease (60 months, 5.69%)
$795/month + tax
Loan (96 months, 5.99%)
Taxes paid upfront
Those payments are about where you’d expect for a vehicle in this price range — though, as I say in many of my reviews, if Honda could shave about $100 a month off the payment, they’d probably sell a lot more of them.
Where It Sits in the Market
In Canada, the Passport sells respectably but not spectacularly. It sits well behind high-volume Honda models like the CR-V and HR-V but maintains a loyal niche among buyers who want something tougher and more adventurous.
Its audience is smaller — but it’s a passionate one.
Final Thoughts: Back to the Name
When researching the Passport, some lists will claim its competitors include:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Mazda CX-70
- Hyundai Santa Fe
But that’s not really accurate.
The true rivals are vehicles designed for dirt, trails and outdoor adventure:
- Toyota 4Runner
- Ford Bronco Sport
That’s the territory the Passport plays in.
Which brings me back to the beginning…
This SUV is all about trails, exploration, and weekend adventure.
So maybe Honda missed an opportunity.
Maybe it should have been called the Honda TrailSport.
Because when it comes to capability, attitude, and fun… that name would fit perfectly.
But then again…
What’s in a name?
James Matthews is the President, General Manager and Co-Founder of LeaseBusters. James launched LeaseBusters in 1990 and is considered one of Canada’s leading experts on new vehicle leases, lease-take-overs and vehicle lease (re)marketing. James can be reached directly at jmatthews at leasebusters.com