2026 Honda Passport – RELIABILITY, CHARM AND CENTS OF ADVENTURE

2026 Honda Passport

RELIABILITY, CHARM AND CENTS OF ADVENTURE

Like many active young families, Caleb and Erica Ramage try to balance their desire to travel in safety and comfort with those realities imposed by their checkbook. After taking time to welcome their second girl into the world, Erica plans to return to the workforce next year. And that poses a problem: She must traverse the farm, office and school every day, and her Chevy Tahoe has seen its best days.

Caleb does not want to see his girls stranded on a roadside. “We put 25,000 miles every year on the family vehicle,” he said. “I need something that can go 300,000 miles without any major problems.”

Outdoorsy types, the Ramages want something with heft that is equally comfortable on a Sunday morning drive to church or weekend adventure to a campground. It needs to be able to tow a little and have plenty of cargo space. The family is not going to get larger, so a third row is not essential. “The weekend we got the Tahoe, I took the third row out and put it in the garage. It’s still there,” he said.

Like many in the market these days, Caleb must deal with sticker shot. Nicely equipped midsize SUVs can soar past $60,000. “The price of all these vehicles is making me want to drive our current ones until the wheels fall off…and then bolt them back on.”

Honda has a good idea

When a 2026 Honda Passport showed up in my driveway last week, I at once thought of Caleb and Erica. It seemed like Honda had them in mind when it transformed its Ridgeline platform into a rugged, versatile, and surprisingly comfortable two-row SUV.

The Passport folds myriad Honda strengths into one package. Though it looks and feels ‘truckish’, it rides on a car-like unibody platform. That means it rides and handles like a car — no backseat bounce — while delivering major safety enhancements.

The Passport is far less prone to rollovers than a Tahoe with its body-on-frame platform, and it offers strikingly(!) better crash protection. In head-on collisions, frame rails transmit energy while the unibody platform’s crumple zones absorb it.

Torque-vectoring all-wheel drive enhances handling control on dry as well as slick roads while affording the Passport the ability to go (gently) off-road. Anyone who has put a boat in the water knows all-wheel drive is invaluable on a slippery ramp.

Honda chose to power the Pilot with its legendary 3.5-L V-6, which gets its second wind around 300,000 miles. That is married to a 10-speed automatic transmission Honda started building eight years ago, which is plenty of time to work the bugs out. A hybrid version is not available, but the Passport’s 19-21 mpg is a solid 25% better than most ICE vehicles in the niche.

And it is a looker inside and out. A rugged yet still sporty exterior give it a modern and athletic look. A spacious and well-appointed cabin prioritizes comfort and convenience with comfortable seats, generous room, and high-quality materials

Best of all, the Passport comes well-equipped and sells in the $45,000 to $55,000 range. Since it is assembled in America with a high proportion of domestic materials, it is unlikely to be affected by tariffs

Real-world test

I tossed them the keys to get their take. It was quite positive. “Erica absolutely loves this car,” Caleb said. “She wants one identical to this one. It is No. 1 on our list so far. It checks all the boxes. I love its styling, reliable powertrain, tech features and plenty of room, while still being a midsize SUV. On the other hand, the back seat does not recline, the fuel economy could be a little better and the infotainment system is difficult to navigate, but those are minor things. This is probably the vehicle we will end up buying. Honda did an excellent job with the redesign,” he said.

Choices, Choices

The Passport competes in a crowded field with the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback. Here, then, is a quick rundown:

 Toyota 4Runner  

• Price: $40,000–$55,000  
• Fuel Economy: ~16–19 MPG (lower than Passport)  

Key Features/Benefits:  

• Legendary off-road capability (TRD Pro trim)  
• Body-on-frame durability (unlike unibody Passport)  
• High resale value  
• Who wants it

• Off-road enthusiasts, adventure seekers  
• Buyers prioritizing ruggedness over fuel efficiency  
• Traditional SUV loyalists who prefer a truck-like feel  

Ford Bronco  

• Price: $35,000–$60,000  
• Fuel Economy: ~17–21 MPG  

Key Features/Benefits:  

• Iconic retro styling, removable doors/roof  
• Serious off-road chops (Sasquatch Package)  
• Customizable for overlanding  

Who wants it

• Younger, adventurous buyers  
• Outdoor lifestyle seekers  
• Those wanting a “fun” SUV with Jeep-like appeal  

Jeep Grand Cherokee (Laredo/ Limited)  

• Price: $40,000–$60,000  
• Fuel Economy: ~19–23 MPG  

Key Features/Benefits:  

• Luxury-adjacent interior (higher trims)  
• Available PHEV option  
• Strong off-road heritage (Trailhawk trim)  

Who wants it

• Buyers wanting a mix of luxury and off-road ability  
• Jeep brand loyalists  

Hyundai Santa Fe (Calligraphy AWD)  

• Price: $35,000–$50,000  
• Fuel Economy: ~22–25 MPG (better than Passport)  

Key Features/Benefits:  

• Upscale interior with tech-forward features  
• Hybrid/PHEV options available  
• Strong warranty (10-year/100,000-mile)  

Who wants it  

• Practical families prioritizing comfort and tech  
• Value-conscious buyers  
• Urban/suburban commuters  

Subaru Outback (Wilderness Trim)  

• Price: $35,000–$45,000  
• Fuel Economy: ~22–26 MPG  

Key Features/Benefits:  

• Standard AWD, great in snow/light off-roading  
• Long roof for cargo versatility  
• Wilderness trim adds off-road upgrades  

Who wants it

• Outdoor-active buyers (hikers, campers)  
• Subaru loyalists (safety-conscious)  
• Small families needing practicality  

Judges say

• Best for off-road: 4Runner or Bronco  
• Best for luxury: Grand Cherokee  
• Best for efficiency: Santa Fe or Outback  
• Best all-rounder: Passport (for a mix of utility, comfort, reliability, and mild off-road ability). 

Bottom line

For those who want their month’s budget to outlast the month, the best value is the base level Passport RTL ($44,750). It comes highly equipped and will easily navigate a foresting road. Upmarket versions add more off-road capability that is more aspirational than operational. Big knobby tires add machismo but deduct from fuel economy.