If you’ve seen the Honda Passport for sale recently, you might have noticed that the 2026 model has a new look. Alongside its more rugged appearance, the midsize SUV also has a new trim lineup, leaning harder into its off-road capability than before. If you’re curious about what each of these trims has to offer, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to go through the lineup trim by trim and give you the highlights of what each one has to offer.
RTL
The RTL trim is replacing the EX-L as the Passport’s entry-level option. Like the EX-L before it and the entire 2026 Passport lineup, it comes standard with all-wheel drive. For the refresh, this all-wheel drive system is getting an upgrade in the form of a second-generation version of Honda’s i-VTM4 system, which can provide the rear axle with a higher percentage of torque than the previous version. Since the Passport only has one engine option, the base model comes standard with the same 3.5L V6 used on higher-tier trims. For the new model year, this engine has been re-tuned to provide slightly more power (285 hp instead of 280 hp), though it produces the same amount of torque that it did before (262 lb-ft). The engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission, up from the 9-speed transmission offered on the 2025 model.
When it comes to safety and driver assistance features, just about everything is standard across the entire lineup so that RTL drivers won’t be missing out on much, aside from a few available camera views. That clearly includes the basic lineup of features becoming more and more ubiquitous these days, like Forward Collision Warning, a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, a Blind Spot Information System, a Cross Traffic Monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Passport goes a bit further than the norm with standard features like front and rear parking sensors, Traffic Jam Assist, a Traffic Sign Recognition System, and a Driver Attention Monitor. While it’s not as off-road capable as the rest of the lineup, the RTL also comes standard with Trail Info, so you can see the SUV’s pitch, roll, and elevation in the driver information center, though that probably won’t be of much use if you’re just driving around town.
Step inside, and you’ll find an interior space that’s been re-designed for the refresh, now providing more rear legroom and cargo space. There’s also an updated infotainment system that’s standard across all trims, with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google built-in capability. Other standard features include heated front seats, Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control, a one-touch fold-down rear seat with a 60/40 split, a power tailgate, and power-adjustable front seats with driver memory settings.
While there are certainly some comfort and convenience features reserved for higher trims (ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, for example, can only be had on the top-tier trim level), the RTL is overall nicely appointed on the inside. Rather than cutting corners on the interior, this trim instead holds back on capability. While the base trim technically has the same 5,000-lbs towing capacity as the other trims, it only comes with a trailer hitch if you pay a bit extra for the RTL Towing trim. And while its Integrated Drive Modes include Sand and Trail modes, it doesn’t come with the off-road tuned suspension and all-terrain tires you’ll find on the TrailSport trims. If you’re looking for an SUV with a rugged aesthetic but don’t actually need proper off-road chops, you can probably save some money by sticking with the RTL trim and have a comfortable ride that doesn’t skimp on interior niceties.
TrailSport
As the name suggests, the TrailSport trim offers improved off-road capability. It comes standard with all-terrain tires and an off-road-tuned suspension featuring different spring rates and damper valve tuning than what you’ll find on the RTL. An added underbody skid plate protects vital components from obstacles like rocks and roots while a standard rear camera washer can take care of dust and dirt blocking the lens. LED fog lights can cut through the darkness no matter the weather, which is especially useful in rural areas or the wilderness. A heated windshield and heated wipers keep visibility clear in the face of frost. High visibility recovery hooks can help you out of a sticky situation. The TrailSport also comes standard with a trailer hitch, so you can make use of the Passport’s towing capacity.
In the cabin, the Trailsport has all of the same comfort and convenience features you’ll find in the RTL, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of upgrades. It does have a unique interior design, with leatherette and cloth seats sporting distinctive orange stitching and accents and the ambient LED lighting is amber rather than white, but these are essentially lateral moves that might be pros or cons depending on your taste.
Additions like all-season floor mats and 115-volt power outlets in the second row and cargo area are certainly offered with off-roading in mind (traversing dusty trails can get the interior dirty, and there’s plenty of camping gear that can make use of a standard outlet) but they’re also versatile features that can come in handy on a rainy day or when you need to charge a laptop, so these two are probably the biggest upgrades overall when looking at the interior. If you’re not interested in increased capability, there’s not much reason to choose this level over the RTL.
TrailSport Elite
At the top of the list, the TrailSport Elite has the most extensive list of features in the lineup, including plenty of tech and comfort features that can’t be had on any other Passport. Few of these features make it more off-road capable, but some can come in handy on a trail. For instance, the TrailWatch camera system (new for the 2026 model year) can help you spot low-lying obstacles and navigate in tight spaces. It comes standard with a front camera washer in addition to the rear camera washer, so you can keep mud at bay. Puddle lights are also handy when stepping out into wild areas at night and the integrated rear door sunshades can keep glare at bay while navigating rough terrain.
Overall, the TrailSport Elite isn’t more rugged or capable than the TrailSport trim. But it does what it says on the tin: adds more premium features that give the trim an elite look and feel. The cabin is appointed with perforated leather seating and those seats offer heating in the front and back rows plus cooling ventilation up front. The steering wheel is also heated and rain-sensing wipers can react automatically to changing weather. Likewise, auto-dimming side mirrors can respond to changing light conditions. The power tailgate offers hands-free access so you can get to the cargo area with your hands full. To top it all off, the sound system is upgraded to a set of 12 Bose speakers, a feature that’s new for the 2026 Passport.
Blackout Editions
Each of these trims also offers a Blackout variant that changes up a few aspects of the exterior style. These accents include black Honda badges, 18-inch black alloy wheels, and black wheel lug nuts. If you’re considering the RTL trim, note that the RTL Towing trim and RTL Blackout trim are mutually exclusive, meaning that the version with black accents doesn’t come with a trailer hitch.
A Wide Range of Trims for a Variety of Needs and Styles
The 2026 Passport is a clear upgrade from the 2025 model for a lot of reasons and the new trim lineup is certainly an example of an improvement. The Passport has long been marketed as a rugged SUV, and this new set of trims reflects that identity more clearly. Under the old system, you had to choose between the most luxurious interior features and the most rugged off-road capability. Now you have a clear set of options: on-road, off-road, and luxurious off-road. If you know what you’re looking for out of your SUV, the choice should be pretty clear and in an industry where a glut of options can get confusing fast, that’s something that deserves acknowledgement.
