All-New 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Development Underway – Arriving 2025

The development of the next-generation Passport Trailsport – the most adventure ready and capable Honda SUV yet – is underway.

hondanews.com

 

I think you're right - 2025 model seems to be a pretty short model year run and the same as 2024. 2026 model year coming early next year and that is the redesign. That does support those rumors that have been floating around also that the 2025 remains unchanged.

 

Seems like they're skipping the 2025 model year kind of like Corvette skipped the 1983 model year. 2025 Civics, CR-V's, HR-V's, and Pilots are hitting the lots. No 2025 Passport.

 

Seems like their skipping the 2025 model year kind of like Corvette skipped the 1983 model year. 2025 Civics, CR-V's, HR-V's, and Pilots are hitting the lots. No 2025 Passport.

You could be right. If true, that would suggest some development issues prevented Honda from bringing the new Passport to the market as the 2025 model. Maybe steel stamping issues for an all new, non Pilot clone design? GM also planned the 1983 Corvette as an all new design but had to kip that year because of design and development challenges that delayed production.

 

Honda has history of skipping as most recently Acura skipped the 2021 MDX. There are pros/cons of skipping the 2025 Passport, but my guess the main "pros" would be to focus marketing efforts early and probably 20+ months or so for one model year of sales. The 2022 MDX sales were outstanding because they basically sold "the new MDX" from Jan 2021 through Dec 2022.

I would look for several more teasers from Honda with the official reveal probably at the LA Auto Show (November 22) or even a surprise reveal at the OC Auto Show at the Anaheim Convention Center (October 3). The reveals go viral so fast that the timing is more important than the actual venue.

 

Hopefully, not a 4cyl twin turbo.

 

I can't recall Honda skipping a model year of an Honda badged vehicle in recent history. Honda kills off non performers (Element, Crosstour, HR-V etc.) but skipping is rare. It's actually normal practice for auto makers to take a previous year model (2024) and label it the next year model (2025), start shipping them off to dealers and still sell them loads of them. So we may still see a 2025 Passport that looks exactly like the 2024 Passport...unless the assembly line has been reconfigured for the vehicle Honda is teasing us with, which is yet to enter production because...

Whatever it is, I'm sure we will soon find out if we are getting a 2025 or if and why Honda is skipping. It's a topic the automobile press will be very interested in especially as it will feed into the slanted "Slow With Electrification So Losing Market Share" narrative.

 

Looks like the rumors about it looking different from the Pilot were true. Front end looks nothing like the Pilot.

Good. I can’t wait.

 

It kind of looks like a 2nd Gen Pilot.

 

The part that I find interesting is the green colored portion below...IMO, that means there will be some type of hood scoop or garnish akin to the Toyota 4Runner. It's too high to be part of the grille...

 

I hoping for a muscular Hummer EV look even though i know it will never happen.

 

I like the amber daytime running lights. I think the hood scoop should only be on the TrailSport version. I am guessing that it is only for looks. Toyota hood scoops are only for looks and create drag. Honda's website is showing the existing Passport for 2025 now. I was hoping for a redesigned 2025 Passport to be out in December, but a redesigned 2026 Passport in March works as well. I just wonder how long it will be before dealerships sell the new models for a reasonable price. I am not paying $10,000 over invoice for any Honda or Toyota. Buying direct from Honda would stop this nonsense.

 

As expected, Honda did not skip the 2025 Passport. It's probably the same vehicle as the 2024 model, but that's normal in the auto industry.

 

Only change is an increase in base price! 😄

 

Gives element vibes. I like it.

 

You guys seem to be really excited about something that looks like an appearance package for 2026 or do you think there's going to be more than what the Pilot has now?

 

It’s not gonna be another chopped off Pilot. That was just for Gen 3 Passport halfway through Pilot’s Gen 3 lifecycle. It will probably use the same underpinnings like Ridgeline, Odyssey, MDX does.

 

I have tried overlaying this teaser on the current pilot and things just don't work. I think they may be planning more substantial edits than grill edits that hook onto the same mounting points.

Like the first-gen ridgeline was based on the Pilot but had many more bespoke parts and design features, I wonder if they are getting back to that with the new Passport.

Additionally, the ruggedness would transfer well to the Ridgeline.

They kind of blew it when they decided everything should ride on a basically unmodified pilot platform.

It's possible the Passport will receive a more substantial platform change and give Honda / Acura the ability to expand their product family beyond several slight variations of the pilot.

I'll post my Honda Element AI rendering again because it's what I was begging Honda to produce. And it sounds like the new Passport will be closer to it than further away.

I think Toyota really blew it with the land cruiser and that whole platform. It's extremely heavy, handles poorly, slow, doesn't get great MPG... all for barely any offroad cred.

Honda can deliver 90% of the capability on their light weight unibody platform with the V6 to get comparable MPG, less power but faster 0-60 from weight savings, and better handling (lighter / independent suspension).

I am still hoping for a full lockup mode on the rear diff.

 

Additionally, the ruggedness would transfer well to the Ridgeline.

This is what I keep thinking about. They can create some separation between the Passport and the Pilot, and recoup some of that cost by reusing the ruggedized design and making the next Ridgeline a Passport with a bed instead of a Pilot with a bed. That would compete much better in the current market of butch mid-size pickups.

 

Maybe they will release the PP and the RL together with bits that will be for the Pilot refresh.

 

I think it's going to be more than an appearance package! I think the 2023 Pilot Trailsport was a first step.
Honda also tinkered around with the passport "Rugged Roads" project.

Honda has also sent teams of participants to the Rebelle Rally.

I feel like Honda is going to target the next Passport Trailsport as a 4Runner-lite version. Skid plates. Proper recovery Points. Oil Temp Gauge
Maybe one or two bells / whistles above what the current 2025 Pilot trailsport. Still not a BOF platform, but a lot of other actual off-roady bits beyond tires.


...at least I hope so.

 

I think it's going to be more than an appearance package! I think the 2023 Pilot Trailsport was a first step.
Honda also tinkered around with the passport "Rugged Roads" project.

Honda has also sent teams of participants to the Rebelle Rally.

Honda sent the present generation Passport to the Rebelle Rally in 2019. The modification to that rally Passport looked more like it's largely appearance, but whatever changes was made to that vehicle, only the 18 inch tires carried over to the Passport three years later when the Trailsport model was introduced in 2022.

Fingers crossed 🤞 on Honda having any actual desire to make the Passport an actual mass market off-road vehicle.

 

Eh - I don't even kid myself about Honda making it BOF nor would I want that.
But like the Pilot, from the factory give it some lift, a place to stow a full size matching spare, recovery points, little bit of under body protection,
and PLEASE give the Trailsport version the Acoustic glass and better stereo / infotainment / display option that you get in the Elite/BE versions.

 

and PLEASE give the Trailsport version the Acoustic glass and better stereo / infotainment / display option that you get in the Elite/BE versions.

OMG...I thought I was the only one who wants this. I'd be all over a Trailsport, but I like my quiet interior and nice stereo.

 

Saw this as well. With it being released in early '25, the overall consensus of the '25 little change over the '24 is fairly accurate.

Honda taking the '26 PP, and removing it from the cloned appearances, is the smartest and long time overdue move by them in eons.

Now, will they make it a direct competitor to the 4Runner? As Honda fans, we can only hope. Unfortunately, also as Honda fans, we will see an unfamiliar Honda price range most definitely. Will it open enough doors for me to give up my '23 project? Doubtful.

 

Extreme long shot, but I wonder if the new Passport could be a joint venture with the Jeep Recon - going purely by frontend similarities. The production recon should be revealed on an almost identical timeline to the Passport.

 

Possible. For Honda to take the PP legitimately into the off road/overlanding market, they may coincidentally orchestrate some design features of other off road titans.

It goes without saying, many automakers seem to be designing their new vehicles in similar ways. For instance. I noticed Kia designed their Sorrento after the Ford Explorer, or so it appears. Not that those are off road hierarchy by any means.

 

Extreme long shot, but I wonder if the new Passport could be a joint venture with the Jeep Recon - going purely by frontend similarities. The production recon should be revealed on an almost identical timeline to the Passport

Possible. For Honda to take the PP legitimately into the off road/overlanding market, they may coincidentally orchestrate some design features of other off road titans.

We definitely know it's going to be a mechanical twin to the Pilot. There are numerous reports of the continuation of that existing partnership (since 2019). Internal Honda reports confirm this and PP spy shots have shown basically a replica of the Pilot interior (which I would argue is a good thing).

I think the difference for 2026+ is that it appears from spy shots, teasers, and Honda employee reactions (who have seen it) that the Passport front-end and rear-end designs are going to be additionally rugged. Hopefully more 4Runner than Highlander.

The uniqueness of the Passport is that it's still one of the very few 2-row SUVs with a powerful, naturally-aspirated V6. I very much applaud Honda and I imagine internal and external pressures were there to turn to alternative powertrains. Now I'm hoping it looks the part (fingers crossed).

 

Some of the latest spy shots: 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Looks Like A Proper Off-Roader In Latest Spy Shots | Carscoops

 

Some of the latest spy shots: 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Looks Like A Proper Off-Roader In Latest Spy Shots | Carscoops

So basically a present gen Honda Pilot with a different face and rear...just as expected.
I wish I had made a wager with the guy that was insisting we should expect an all new design that looks butch like a Bronco. If I did I will be richer when this is officially revealed in a few months.

Thanks for sharing.

 

That raked windshield keeps it very Pilot for my liking.

 

Nothing too groundbreaking in the latest spy shots. Less slope in the rear hatch and the wheels and tires are of interest: General Grabber A/T Sport rubber measuring 275/60 R18 as opposed to 245/60 R18 for the current-gen Passport Trailsport.

I like the design of the TS wheels as well. Apparently moving away from the Pilot/Passport Trailsport large honeycomb design from the past several years.

 

I also figured the new gen would take on the boxed front of the Pilot/CRV/new Honda fleet and steeper hatch like the Pilot. A few years late if you ask me. I believe it had to do with Honda testing that appearance on the Pilot, and making sure it was the right one. Once concluded, decision solidified, put it on the new Passport. However, did you see what Toyota did with the 4Runner? Wakeup. Give the wheel wells an aggressive and more open look. Bigger tires and clearance would look bad ass.

 

 

Boxy like the 2nd gen Pilot.

 

Here's the latest 2026 (not 2025 as indicated below) spy shot sans cladding (just swirled wrap). You can really start to see the lines take shape.

What's interesting to me is that you can see that the rear taillights are no longer part-sourced from the Pilot as they've been since 2019 (the Pilot has had tailgate extensions and the Passport has not). But the shape of the 2026 PP taillight is vertical and echoes what those have seen the new PP in person say - it has a more rugged 2009-Pilot-esque shape/design to it.