When I was at College Hills Honda (Germain Honda) getting some parts last weekend, I was hoping to find a '26 on the lot/showroom. They told me an Ash Green Trailsport is on its way and should arrive today. Said they would call me to come check it out. Will definitely look at that hatch light.

 

I live right down the road from college hills and I drove through there last night. They have a green one and a gray one on the lot. They’re in the back behind service.

 

After my test drive I wanted to check out one thing and that is the location of the oil filter which they have changed. It is now mounted horizontally and a More easily accessible position. The first picture is from the top down under the hood and the second picture is from behind the front passenger side wheel. Oil changes will be much easier on the 2026 Passport 👍

 

I could be wrong but the filter maybe like the previous gen where it is easier to get at the filter from the fender well vs underneath the car. The filter is attached to the block where the 90 degree elbow was attached before. So the filter will be higher off the ground than the last gen.

 

I wanted to elaborate as well on something that I mentioned and another thread, it is that some of the 2026 Passports that are hitting dealer lots are demo vehicles and not able to be sold for at least 30 days. This is according to a Honda corporate representative, not just dealership staff. My two nearest Honda dealerships both have identical Elite models, both in green with gray interior and neither is available to be sold for at least 30 days.

It's somewhat funny because one of the dealerships I went to tried to hard sell me on buying one of these vehicles today without realizing that he's not even able to sell it. I told them that I wasn't interested in buying even though I could but there were other variable factors that were limiting my ability to buy, that didn't seem to matter to the sales staff because they just wanted to get a deal done. I just kinda sat back trying to restrain my laughter as a former salesman myself. Oh well 😅

 

This is a good short video showing the underside of 2026 Passport TrailSport. Honda seems to have been thorough in it's underbody protection.

 

Has anyone compared the ride of the 2026 RTL versus the 2026 TrailSport? I would assume the TrailSport and TrailSport Elite would have the same ride. I wonder what difference the tires make. I think the suspensions are also different with the TrailSport tuned for off-road. I know this is subjective. When I buy the TrailSport, I don't know if I will replace the tires with General Grabbers. I prefer Michelins. Yeah, they won't look as good, but they are quiet, smooth, stop fast, and last 10 years vs 6 years for the General Grabber. My guess is that putting Michelins on the TrailSport will make it ride more like the RTL, but I might be wrong. The CrossClimate2's look a little more aggressive.

 

I can only compare my 2021 PP Elite to the 2026 PP Elite but I will say that the 2026 suspension is much softer in taking bumps and the steering is much tighter, overall I very much prefer it compared to my 2021 where the steering can feel loose and vague at times and the suspension is more firm.

The General Grabber tires are very well reviewed and perform well in all conditions, I might consider the Yokohama Geolander G015 as a replacement tire but I think I would need to go with a far more expensive tire like the CC2 because the other two were inadequate in performance. I have the CC2 tires on my 21 PP mainly because the options for what I wanted were limited when I needed tires but I would prefer to get the cheapest tire with the best performance.

 

I have a 2026 Trailsport in Ash Green on order, should be getting it around July. But i plan on changing the tires to a more road compliant Trail rated tire rather than keeping it with an A/T. We have a Bronco Sport with Falken Wildpeaks, and i love them. So ill probably get a set of F-WP Trails when the time comes.

 

Picked it up the day it was delivered, yeah, we were waiting on it, plus trying to get ahead of any probable tariffs. loving the heck out of it.

 

Looks great! There should be no tariffs being the Passport is made in Lincoln, Alabama. Or at least that's the way I understand it.

 

Was toying around with the idea of trading in my 2019 Elite for a 2026 Elite (White Pearl with gray interior, but none to be found in my area at this time). If the tariffs do indeed increase the price of the PP due to Honda's other models; then I'll just wait.

 

A few days ago I saw an article

 

Regarding the most American made vehicles. The passport was number two on the list behind one Tesla model.

 

American made, built in America with parts from various countries. If those parts come from China, Canada or Mexico there may be some tariff driven increase in price.

 

This is one of the articles.
https://www.usatoday.com/picture-ga...ure-gallery/money/cars/2025/03/06/most-american-cars-top-10-photos/81755171007/

 

I know the Passport is made in Alabama but who has an idea of what percentage of the parts are made in the US? This question is in recognition of the fact that the upcoming tariff is expected to affect auto parts (engines, powertrain parts and electrical components) imports too.

 

I know the Passport is made in Alabama but who has an idea of what percentage of the parts is made in the US? This question is in recognition of the fact that the upcoming tariff is expected to affect auto parts (engines, powertrain parts and electrical components) import too.

According to this article the Passport contains 76.5% domestic content.

The Most American-Made Cars Least Affected By Trump’s 25% Tariffs | Carscoops

 

Anyone know or have been told what the timeframe is for ordering a new PP? My dealer told me my ordered PP T/S Elite will be 30-45 days. Just wondering if that is real.

 

The press is releasing videos about the driving experience of the 2026 Passports this morning at 9:00am Eastern or 8:00am Central. That is when the Honda embargo ends.

 

Kirk's test drive of the 2026 Honda Passport in Puerto Rico.

 

Passport sales March 2025 well over 5000 units! Best in years!

 

The dangling Passports stunt is interesting.
Video at:
Honda News

 

I got to see the modern steel color on a 2026 PP for the first time today. I had a Subaru Outback in a similar color in 2018 and while I think it looks okay on this vehicle it just seems very vanilla. Maybe I'm just tired of the dark grey trend. They had an orange Elite on the lot as well and for my taste that color just looks so much better on this specific vehicle.

 

I like the looks of the orange, but I think I'm too old for an orange car. I ended up with the pearl white. what can I say..... it will match all of the other cars in the driveway.

 

Well I did it! Bought a 2026 Ash Green Elite with gray interior. Will pick it up tomorrow. I have too many things to remove from my 2019 and didn't feel like doing it in the packing lot plus didn't have the title nor my check book with me. Fort Myers Honda gave me 20K for trade in value and I'll write a check for $37500 OTD done. I was originally thinking of White Pearl for the exterior till I saw the Ash Green in person and that made up my mind real quick. I think it has a good balance with the gray valances that are in the front and the back plus the black and machined surfaces of the wheels. Pics to follow...

 

Congrats, I am on the fence about the grey interior until i see it in person

 

The same colors that I picked. its sitting in my driveway, I can't wait to see it in person. May 31 can't come soon enough.

 

Picked up Tuesday of this week. Have cargo liner, splash guards, and Homelink mirror on order with College Hills Honda. The myQ app has to link up to HondaLink in order to work and when trials are over it's a subscription cost for both apps. Not good and it's slow.
Also will have the front windows tinted to match the rear.

 

Picked up Tuesday of this week. Have cargo liner, splash guards, and Homelink mirror on order with College Hills Honda. The myQ app has to link up to HondaLink in order to work and when trials are over it's a subscription cost for both apps. Not good and it's slow.

So you actually have to pay for MyQ and Honda Link subscriptions?
That makes no sense, can you just use the MyQ app on it's own?

 

Brought home this sunset orange Trail Sport Saturday. I installed the black out emblems last night. It’s raining today so pics to come later. I also installed the door sill protectors. I have the heated steering wheel on order, to be installed next week. Love this thing!

 

Brought home this sunset orange Trail Sport Saturday. I installed the black out emblems last night. It’s raining today so pics to come later. I also installed the door sill protectors. I have the heated steering wheel on order, to be installed next week.

 

MyGarage

mygarage.honda.com

Here's a link to information about HondaLink and MyQ so it's not a big surprise.

 

I feel like you should be able to use the MyQ app as a stand alone

https://www.myq.com/app

Complete control
The myQ app allows you to check the status of your garage and entry doors to open and close or lock and unlock from anywhere.

I asked AI (but did not verify): The myQ app does not require a paid subscription for its basic features, such as opening and closing your garage door remotely, receiving real-time notifications, and sharing access with others. These core functionalities are free to use if you have a compatible myQ-enabled garage door opener

 

Took a little time but I got the blackout badges and the door sills completed!

 

Had front door windows and visor area done in 50% ceramic tint.