Car and Driver’s long-term 2026 Honda-passport/">Honda Passport TrailSport Elite has reached 20,211 miles after 13 months in the test fleet. Although it is surrounded by performance cars and other enthusiast-focused vehicles, the midsize SUV has become one of the most popular choices for staff road trips.
Editors have driven the Passport through Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio, repeatedly praising its smooth ride, balanced handling and highway stability. Its comfort has also stood out on longer journeys, with supportive seats and a quiet cabin helping reduce the need for frequent stops.
The Passport’s strongest practical feature is its interior capacity. Testers fit 16 carry-on suitcases behind the raised rear seats and 38 with the rear bench folded, exceeding the reported capacity of a Toyota 4Runner in both configurations. On a ski trip to northern Wisconsin, the SUV comfortably carried three people and their equipment.
The vehicle has also served as a support vehicle for a performance-car event, towing a loaded 12-foot box trailer on a journey of more than 600 miles. The trailer remained well below the Passport’s 5,000-pound towing limit, and the driver reported confident stability through the mountains.
Not every aspect has been trouble-free. Staff members have recorded issues involving phone pairing, Google Maps, Apple CarPlay and the navigation display. On separate occasions, the infotainment screen went blank while continuing to play audio, and the digital gauge-cluster map stopped working. Both incidents were resolved by restarting the system.
The Passport’s 3.5-liter V-6 has received mixed feedback because of limited low-rpm response. Its 262 pound-feet of torque arrives at 5,000 rpm, and the SUV’s 4,702-pound curb weight can make acceleration feel delayed during city driving and highway merging. Some staffers have also criticized the 10-speed automatic for being slow to downshift.
Fuel economy has averaged 19 mpg over more than 20,000 miles. The vehicle has an 18.5-gallon tank and a reported observed range of 370 miles, while its EPA combined rating is 20 mpg. Winter tires fitted earlier in the test may have contributed to the real-world figure.
Maintenance costs have remained limited. The 10,000-mile service was covered by Honda’s complimentary maintenance program. The 20,000-mile visit included an oil and filter change, tire rotation and inspection, costing $184. The long-term test record lists no repair, normal-wear or damage expenses.
The TrailSport Elite is powered by a 285-hp V-6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Its as-tested price is $54,355, including Sunset Orange paint. Car and Driver’s initial testing recorded 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15.6 seconds at 90 mph.
With its comfortable seats, composed ride and generous cargo space, the Passport has become a highly requested vehicle in the fleet. The test will continue for another 20,000 miles.
Sources: Car and Driver.