2026 Honda Passport RTL is here to take on the giants like Toyota 4Runner and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. But does it live up to the competition? Is it worth the price tag? Let’s dive into everything this vehicle has to offer and find out together.
2026 Honda Passport RTL Price Points and Trims
The 2026 Honda Passport comes in three trims:
- RTL (Base Model) – Starting at $44,000
- TrailSport
- TrailSport Elite – Capping at $52,000
The model I reviewed is the base RTL, priced just under $46,000, thanks to the optional $1,200 HPD wheels. A big thank you to Executive Honda in Wallingford, Connecticut, for providing this vehicle for the day.
Exterior Design
The 2026 Passport makes a statement with its tall and aggressive front end. Standing at over 4 feet tall, the front fascia is big, flashy, and impossible to miss.
Highlights:
- LED Lighting: Equipped with LED headlights, daytime running lights, and turn signals in a unique C-shape design. However, one thing which i felt lacking in 2026 Passport RTL is amber daytime running lights and daytime running lights which comes on Trailsport trim.
- Engraved Branding: I usually like engraved branding specially from Honda, The engraved “Passport” looks amazingly attractive.
- Airflow Elements: While there are plenty of functional air vents for engine cooling, some elements are purely decorative, like the fake plastic airflow piece at the top.
- Front Sensors: 2026 Passport RTL trim comes with standard Parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. They are seemlessly hidden near front grill.
I like the vibe of 2026 Honda Passport RTL, Especially its rugged, off-road ready look. What we see is plastic cladding on door handles, bumpers, and fenders adds to its durability. One more plus point is that it is very easy to wash and do not get dirty easily. Optional 18-inch HPD alloy wheels with all-season tires further enhances its rugged look.
Interior Comfort and Features
I have to admit that 2026 Honda Passport RTLs interior impressed me with futuristic tech and technology.
Rear Seats:
- Leather-Trimmed Comfort: All the seats at front and at the rear have same quality of leather which i feel is great decision by Honda.
- Phenomenal Space: I have personally seated at all the seats just to see how much space we get at each place. I felt impressive legroom and headroom, i am 6 feet tall and i felt comfortable seating on the passenger seats.
- Storage Galore: Multiple storage compartments, cup holders, and a sleek black trim given at rear doors provides plenty of storage galore.
Front Seats:
- Heated Leather Bucket Seats: Both driver and passenger seats are power-operated, though lumbar support is exclusive to the driver.
- Memory Settings: Two-way memory seat settings allow drivers to save their preferred positions for convenience.
Tech and Infotainment:
The 2026 Passport boasts Honda’s best infotainment system to date:
- 12.3-inch HD Color Touchscreen: Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. UI of infotainment is quite user friendly, smooth, responsive and great part is that it is an customizable means you can rearrange icons and hotkeys just like on a smartphone.
- Google Assistant Integration: Infotainment system has integrated Google Assistant which helps you use voice commands for heated seats, navigation, and more.
- Digital Gauge Cluster: Fully digital gauges looks highly impressive and gives feeling of racing car.
Other notable features include:
- Dual-zone climate control with physical buttons (a welcome touch in today’s touchscreen-heavy market).
- Wireless charging pad and multiple USB-C ports.
- Hidden storage compartments for added practicality.
Cargo Space
The 2026 Passport’s boxy and rear design allow impressive cargo space. When seats are up it provide 41.2 cubic feet space while 77.7 cubic feet of space when seats are folded. space is so much that you can fit a twin mattress, making it ideal choice for camping trips.
2026 Honda Passport RTL Performance
2026 Honda Passport RTL is powered by 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine, this produce impressive 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. With 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive this SUV provides solid drive power and overall experience.
Performance Highlights:
- Fuel Economy: Company claimed combined fuel efficiency is around 21 MPG which is surprising for a V6-engine SUV.
- 0-60 MPH in 6.5 Seconds: Our acceleration test produced impressive result. 2026 Honda Passport RTL reaches 0-60 MPH in just 6.5 Seconds.
- Drive Modes: 2026 Honda Passport RTL features drive modes like Sport, Eco, Snow, Trail, Sand, and even Tow, which makes it handle any terrain.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Honda has loaded the 2026 Honda Passport RTL with a comprehensive package of safety features, including:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Keep Assist
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Front and Rear Collision Mitigation Braking
- Parking Sensors
The backup camera includes moving trajectory lines, making parking a breeze. While the camera quality isn’t the best, it gets the job done.
