2026 vs 2027 Honda Passport: What Changed for NYC Drivers
Published October 13, 2026 · Last updated October 13, 2026
The 2026 vs 2027 Honda Passport comparison is mostly a TrailSport story. For 2027, Honda reengineered the TrailSport suspension for 9.65 inches of ground clearance, 1.38 inches more than the 2026, and moved TrailWatch cameras and a heated steering wheel down from the Elite to the base TrailSport. The RTL barely changes, the RTL Blackout is gone, and prices rise $245 on the RTL and up to $1,645 on the TrailSport trims. The 2027 began arriving at Honda dealers on September 29, 2026.
2026 or 2027 Passport: The Short Answer
- Going off pavement? Buy the 2027 TrailSport: more clearance, better angles, TrailWatch and a heated wheel from $49,995.
- Mostly city and highway driving? A 2026 RTL is the same SUV for $345 less delivered, with a slightly stronger V6 on paper.
- Want the Blackout look on a budget? Only the 2026 offers an RTL Blackout ($46,150); for 2027, Blackout is TrailSport only.
Cross-shopping 2027 midsize SUVs? The two-row Passport competes with several SUVs sold across Plaza Auto Mall, and Honda's own three-row Pilot is one step up. See what each one brings for 2027: 2027 Honda Pilot, 2027 Toyota 4Runner, 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, 2027 Kia Sorento and 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Model-year timing: This page compares the 2026 and 2027 Honda Passport using Honda's published specifications and pricing as of October 13, 2026. Both model years can be on dealer lots at the same time while 2026 stock lasts. More detail in our 2027 Honda Passport guide; for the rest of the lineup, see 2026 vs 2027 Honda Pilot, 2026 vs 2027 Honda CR-V and 2026 vs 2027 Honda Odyssey.
2026 vs 2027 Passport at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Honda Passport | 2027 Honda Passport | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | On sale while stock lasts | Arriving at dealers since September 29, 2026 | 2027 |
| Starting MSRP | $44,950. Destination $1,495 | $45,195. Destination $1,595 | 2026 |
| Trims | 7: RTL, RTL Towing, RTL Blackout, TrailSport, TrailSport Blackout, TrailSport Elite, TrailSport Elite Blackout | 6: RTL Blackout dropped | 2026 |
| Engine | 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft | 3.5L V6, 280 hp, 258 lb-ft | 2026 |
| Transmission / drive | 10-speed automatic, i-VTM4 AWD standard | Same | Tie |
| EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb) | RTL 19/25/21; TrailSport 18/23/20 | RTL 19/25/21; TrailSport 18/22/20 | 2026 |
| TrailSport ground clearance | 8.3 in | 9.65 in | 2027 |
| TrailSport approach / departure | 23.0° / 23.1° | 25.4° / 25.3° | 2027 |
| TrailWatch and heated wheel | TrailSport Elite only | Every TrailSport | 2027 |
| Screens | 12.3-in touchscreen, 10.2-in digital cluster | Same | Tie |
| Towing / cargo | 5,000 lb; 44 cu ft behind 2nd row | Same | Tie |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | Same | Tie |
Want Today's Price on a 2026 or 2027 Passport?
Tell us the trim, model year and color you have in mind and the best way to reach you, and a Plaza Honda product specialist will send current 2026 and 2027 Passport availability, Plaza pricing with today's incentives and a test-drive time, usually within the hour during business hours.
What's New for 2027
The 2026 Passport was all-new, so the 2027 is a focused update rather than another redesign. Honda's changes center on the TrailSport: a reengineered suspension, more pronounced front and rear fender flares, a darker, resculpted lower front fascia and amber LED lights in the hood scoop. The Blackout package now adds black front and rear fascias, and Smoke Blue Pearl replaces Obsidian Blue Pearl on every trim. The RTL keeps its look and equipment, and the RTL Blackout is no longer offered, so the lineup drops from seven versions to six.
TrailSport: 2026 vs 2027
This is where the 2027 earns its price. Honda says the new suspension lifts ground clearance to 9.65 inches, from 8.3 on the 2026 TrailSport, and improves breakover, articulation and off-road ride quality; approach and departure angles grow from 23.0 and 23.1 degrees to 25.4 and 25.3. Both years ride on 18-inch wheels with 275/60R18 all-terrain tires and include an underbody skid plate. TrailWatch, the multi-camera system for spotting obstacles on the trail, and a heated steering wheel are now standard on the base TrailSport instead of being Elite exclusives. That narrows the gap to the Elite from $4,000 in 2026 to $3,700 in 2027. Want the full trim split? Read 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport vs TrailSport Elite.
Engine, MPG & Towing
Both years use a 3.5-liter V6, a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, which can send torque between the rear wheels. Honda Info Center lists the 2027 at 280 hp and 258 lb-ft, 5 hp and 4 lb-ft below the 2026's 285 hp and 262 lb-ft; Honda's announcement did not mention a powertrain change. The RTL is rated 19 mpg city, 25 highway and 21 combined in both years. The TrailSport loses 1 mpg on the highway, to 18/22/20. With an 18.5-gallon tank, that is roughly 389 miles per tank for the RTL and 370 for the TrailSport in mixed driving. Every trim tows up to 5,000 pounds.
Cargo & Interior Tech
Inside, the two years are the same five-seat SUV. Every Passport has a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and cargo space is 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and up to 104.6 cubic feet with it folded (104.4 on TrailSport Elite and on 2027 TrailSport models). That is enough for strollers, hockey bags or a weekend's camping gear without a roof box.
2026 vs 2027 Prices
Honda raised the RTL by $245 and the TrailSport trims by $1,045 to $1,645, and destination rose $100. Plaza Honda layers its own offers on top of Honda's.
2026 Honda Passport
RTL $44,950, RTL Towing $45,650, RTL Blackout $46,150, TrailSport $48,650, TrailSport Blackout $49,850, TrailSport Elite $52,650 and TrailSport Elite Blackout $53,850, plus $1,495 destination. Browse new Honda Passport inventory at Plaza Honda or all new Honda inventory.
2027 Honda Passport
RTL $45,195, RTL Towing $45,895, TrailSport $49,995, TrailSport Blackout $51,495, TrailSport Elite $53,695 and TrailSport Elite Blackout $55,195, plus $1,595 destination; premium paint is $455. More detail in our 2027 Honda Passport trims, MPG and pricing guide.
Check the current Honda specials in Brooklyn, get pre-approved for Honda financing and value your trade-in before you visit.
Honda Passport in Stock at Plaza Honda
Every Passport below is on the ground at Plaza Honda and available to drive today. If you want a 2026 RTL Blackout or a 2026 at its lower price, ask which ones are left. Call (855) 528-6785 and we will have one ready when you arrive. Free delivery within 25 miles.
| MSRP | $46,900 |
| No Hassle discount | -$2,973 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $44,102 |
| MSRP | $47,795 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $47,970 |
| MSRP | $55,290 |
| No Hassle discount | -$999 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $54,466 |
| MSRP | $56,875 |
| No Hassle discount | -$999 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $56,051 |
| MSRP | $53,630 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $53,805 |
| MSRP | $53,090 |
| No Hassle discount | -$999 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $52,266 |
| MSRP | $50,700 |
| No Hassle discount | -$2,295 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $48,580 |
| MSRP | $50,145 |
| No Hassle discount | -$3,239 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $47,081 |
| MSRP | $50,245 |
| No Hassle discount | -$3,239 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $47,181 |
| MSRP | $50,600 |
| No Hassle discount | -$3,277 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $47,498 |
| MSRP | $50,700 |
| No Hassle discount | -$2,295 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $48,580 |
| MSRP | $55,290 |
| No Hassle discount | -$999 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $54,466 |
| MSRP | $50,700 |
| No Hassle discount | -$3,277 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $47,598 |
| MSRP | $55,510 |
| No Hassle discount | -$999 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $54,686 |
| MSRP | $50,145 |
| No Hassle discount | -$3,239 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $47,081 |
Should You Buy a 2026 or a 2027 Passport?
The answer depends on whether your Passport will ever leave the pavement.
The real off-road upgrade
9.65 inches of clearance, TrailWatch and a heated wheel from $49,995.
Same SUV for less
Identical for city driving and $345 less delivered than the 2027 RTL.
Last of its kind
The only black-trimmed Passport under $47,000; gone for 2027.
Every feature, more clearance
The lifted suspension plus Elite comfort for $3,700 over the TrailSport.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Off-road ability | 2027 | 9.65 in of clearance and steeper angles on TrailSport |
| TrailSport equipment | 2027 | TrailWatch and heated wheel now standard |
| Power and MPG | 2026 | 285 hp vs 280; TrailSport 23 mpg highway vs 22 |
| Price | 2026 | $345 to $1,745 less delivered, by trim |
| Trim choice | 2026 | Seven versions, including RTL Blackout |
| Model year for resale | 2027 | One year newer |
| Overall for NYC drivers | Tie | 2027 for TrailSport buyers, 2026 for RTL buyers |
Still deciding? Compare the Passport with its toughest rival in 2026 Toyota 4Runner vs 2027 Honda Passport, with Honda's smaller and bigger SUVs in 2027 Honda Passport vs 2027 Honda CR-V and Honda Passport vs Pilot, or pick your TrailSport in 2027 Passport TrailSport vs TrailSport Elite.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Honda delivers your new or pre-owned Honda to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Our service department also offers pickup and drop-off across the entire NYC metro area.
Ask Our Team About Delivery2026 vs 2027 Honda Passport: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 2026 and 2027 Honda Passport?
The 2027 TrailSport has a reengineered suspension with 9.65 inches of ground clearance, up from 8.3, better approach and departure angles, new styling and TrailWatch cameras plus a heated steering wheel as standard. The RTL is largely unchanged, the RTL Blackout was dropped, and prices rose $245 to $1,645 depending on trim.
How much ground clearance does the 2027 Passport TrailSport have?
Honda rates the 2027 Passport TrailSport and TrailSport Elite at 9.65 inches of ground clearance, 1.38 inches more than the 2026 TrailSport. The RTL stays at 8.3 inches.
Is the 2027 Passport more expensive?
Yes. The 2027 RTL starts at $45,195, $245 more than the 2026, and the TrailSport starts at $49,995, $1,345 more. Destination rose from $1,495 to $1,595.
Does the 2027 Passport have less horsepower?
Honda Info Center lists the 2027 Passport at 280 hp and 258 lb-ft, compared with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft for the 2026. Both use a 3.5-liter V6, a 10-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, and both tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Should I buy a 2026 or a 2027 Passport?
If you plan to drive off-road, buy a 2027 TrailSport for its extra clearance and standard TrailWatch. If you mostly drive in the city and on highways, a 2026 RTL is the same SUV for less, and it is your last chance at an RTL Blackout.
Test-Drive the 2026 and 2027 Honda Passport at Plaza Honda
Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn) has the Passport in stock from the RTL to the TrailSport Elite, so you can compare the 2026 and the lifted 2027 TrailSport back to back before you decide. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves drivers from Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and Long Island, with free delivery within 25 miles. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Call Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785.
*MSRP excludes destination ($1,495 for 2026, $1,595 for 2027), premium paint, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on Honda information available as of October 13, 2026. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
