The 2026 Honda Passport just earned serious recognition from one of the outdoor industry's most respected publications. GearJunkie, known for putting adventure gear and vehicles through real-world testing, named the redesigned SUV its "Adventure Vehicle of the Year" in the 2-row SUV category.
This isn't Honda's first rodeo with GearJunkie awards. The company previously took home the Best Motorcycle title in 2023 for the 2024 Honda Transalp 750, proving they know how to build vehicles that can handle whatever nature throws at them.
What makes this particular award noteworthy is GearJunkie's testing process. The publication's editors spend months evaluating new vehicles that hit the market, looking at everything from weekend camping trips to serious backcountry excursions. Only eight vehicles across all categories made the cut this year.
"The 2026 Honda Passport is all-new, featuring a more aggressive appearance and enhanced off-road capability, particularly in TrailSport trim," the editors noted in their evaluation. "It hit the market in early 2025, and despite the lack of a low-range transfer case, it has a host of compelling off-road features that give it legitimate adventure chops. The parts come together to make an impressively civilized and capable package, on- and off-road."
That last point about the low-range transfer case is worth noting. Many hardcore off-road vehicles rely on this feature for tackling extreme terrain, but Honda managed to create a capable adventure vehicle without it. Instead, they focused on a combination of features that work together to get drivers where they want to go.
Built Right Here at Home
The redesigned Passport represents a significant investment in American manufacturing. Honda designed, developed, and built this SUV domestically, using a mix of parts made both in the United States and globally. The company has been manufacturing vehicles in America for more than four decades now, operating eight major auto manufacturing facilities across the country.
The numbers tell an impressive story. In 2025, roughly 99% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America. About 60% of those came from American facilities specifically. For buyers who care about where their vehicles come from, that's a compelling data point.
Honda sells its vehicles through a network of more than 1,000 independent dealerships nationwide, meaning buyers can typically find local service and support without much trouble.
Three Trim Levels, Each With Its Own Purpose
Honda didn't just create one version of the new Passport and call it a day. The lineup includes three distinct trim levels: RTL, TrailSport, and the brand-new TrailSport Elite.
All three come loaded with standard equipment that would have been considered premium just a few years ago. Every Passport gets V6 power and Honda's torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system. That AWD setup can shift power between the rear wheels individually, helping the vehicle maintain traction when the going gets rough.
The TrailSport trim takes things further, earning the distinction of being the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever built. That's not just marketing talk. The TrailSport comes with an off-road tuned suspension that can handle rougher terrain than previous Honda SUVs. Expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities give it more control in challenging conditions.
Honda didn't skimp on the protection either. Robust steel underbody skid plates shield vital components from rocks and obstacles. Bright orange heavy-duty recovery points aren't just for show—they're there for when things go sideways and a vehicle needs to be pulled out of a tight spot. The specially-engineered all-terrain tires come standard, designed to grip dirt, gravel, and mud better than regular highway tires.
For those who want the ultimate package, the TrailSport Elite sits at the top of the range. This trim combines all the off-road hardware with premium features like perforated leather seating and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The standout addition is the new TrailWatch camera system, which gives drivers better visibility of their surroundings when navigating tricky terrain.
Sales Numbers That Speak Volumes
Sometimes the best indicator of a vehicle's success isn't what critics say—it's what buyers do with their wallets. The Passport posted record sales in 2025, jumping nearly 70% compared to the previous year. That's a massive increase, especially in a competitive market segment.
Even more telling is the breakdown of which models buyers chose. The rugged TrailSport trims accounted for 80% of sales of the new model. That suggests buyers aren't just attracted to the Passport's looks or brand name. They specifically want the enhanced off-road capability and adventure-ready features.
This purchasing pattern reflects broader trends in the automotive market. More people are looking for vehicles that can serve double duty—comfortable enough for the daily commute, but capable enough for weekend adventures. The Passport seems to have hit that sweet spot.
Honda's Broader Electrified Push
While the Passport sticks with traditional gasoline power, Honda's overall lineup is shifting toward electrification. The company's electrified vehicles represented nearly a third of total sales in 2025, a significant portion of their business.
The electrified lineup includes the all-electric Prologue SUV for buyers ready to go fully electric. For those who want some electric capability without range anxiety, Honda offers hybrid-electric versions of the Accord, CR-V, Civic, and Prelude. There's even a fuel-cell-electric CR-V e:FCEV for the few markets where hydrogen infrastructure exists.
The full Honda lineup covers pretty much every segment buyers might want. Cars include the Civic, Prelude, and Accord. SUVs range from the compact HR-V through the CR-V, Passport, Prologue, and three-row Pilot. The Ridgeline pickup serves buyers who need a truck bed, while the Odyssey minivan handles family hauling duties.
What This Award Really Means
Industry awards can sometimes feel like participation trophies, handed out to anyone who shows up. GearJunkie's Adventure Vehicle of the Year awards don't work that way. The publication has built its reputation on honest, thorough testing of outdoor equipment and vehicles. Their editors use this stuff in real conditions—not just on closed courses or during carefully orchestrated press events.
When they say a vehicle has "legitimate adventure chops," they're speaking from experience. The fact that they specifically called out the Passport's ability to be "impressively civilized and capable" both on and off-road highlights what Honda achieved here. Building a vehicle that excels in both environments isn't easy. Many off-road focused SUVs ride rough on pavement. Many comfort-focused SUVs can't handle anything more challenging than a gravel driveway.
The Passport apparently manages to split that difference successfully. It's aggressive enough in appearance and capability to handle adventure activities, but refined enough that owners won't dread their daily drive.
Looking at the Competition
The 2-row SUV segment is crowded with capable options. Brands like Toyota, Jeep, Ford, and others all offer vehicles targeting similar buyers. What separated the Passport from the pack, at least in GearJunkie's evaluation, was that combination of features working together as a complete package.
Honda didn't try to build the most extreme off-road vehicle possible. They built one that real people would actually use for real adventures. That meant prioritizing features like the torque-vectoring AWD system, proper skid plate protection, and all-terrain tires over more specialized equipment that might only get used a handful of times.
The 80% TrailSport sales figure suggests buyers appreciate that approach. They want capability, but they also want the comfort and features that make a vehicle pleasant to live with every day.
What's Next
With record sales and a major industry award under its belt, the new Passport appears positioned for continued success. The strong preference for TrailSport models might influence how Honda approaches future updates and refreshes. If buyers keep gravitating toward the most capable versions, the company would be smart to keep pushing that envelope.
The adventure vehicle market shows no signs of slowing down. More people are exploring outdoor activities, whether that's camping, mountain biking, overlanding, or just escaping to the wilderness for a weekend. They need vehicles that can get them there and back without drama.
Based on GearJunkie's assessment and buyer response, the 2026 Honda Passport delivers exactly that. It's not the flashiest vehicle on the market or the one with the most extreme specs. But for drivers who want a dependable SUV that can handle both the school run and the mountain pass, it's earning its reputation as a solid choice.
The Adventure Vehicle of the Year award validates what Honda set out to do with this redesign. They created an SUV that lives up to the adventure label without sacrificing the everyday usability that most buyers actually need. In a market full of vehicles making big promises, that's worth recognizing.
