I’ve been impressed with the latest Honda Passport since it was introduced. Its rugged styling finally matched what many U.S. buyers have craved, yet it kept the comfortable on-road manners most SUV buyers actually need.
Clearly, buyers agree. Passport sales have repeatedly set records, TrailSport models represent more than 80% of sales, and Honda now plans to export the Alabama-built Passport TrailSport Elite to Japan.
For 2027, Honda is leaning even harder into that winning formula. The Passport TrailSport gets a substantial suspension lift, better clearance and improved off-road angles, without giving up the everyday drivability that helped make it popular.
Honda found the Passport’s sweet spot
When Honda revealed the redesigned 2026 Passport, it gave the two-row SUV a tougher personality.
The upright front end, flared fenders, orange recovery hooks, and all-terrain tires gave it the rugged appearance buyers wanted. Underneath, however, the Passport remained a unibody SUV with a fully independent suspension.
That combination is an important part of its appeal.
A body-on-frame SUV like the Toyota 4Runner can offer more extreme off-road capability, but that capability can bring compromises in ride quality, handling, and everyday comfort. The Passport looks ready for a trail without feeling like a dedicated off-roader during the other 95% of its life.
The 2027 Passport TrailSport gains 1.38 inches
The biggest change for 2027 is underneath the Passport.
Off-road, inches matter, and Honda has increased ground clearance from 8.27 inches to 9.65 inches. As we all know, an extra inch or two can make a big difference, especially when things get rough. That added height also improves all three measurements that matter when crossing uneven terrain.
| Measurement | 2026 Passport TrailSport | 2027 Passport TrailSport | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 8.27 inches | 9.65 inches | 1.38 inches |
| Approach angle | 23 degrees | 25 degrees | 2 degrees |
| Breakover angle | 20 degrees | 23 degrees | 3 degrees |
| Departure angle | 23 degrees | 25 degrees | 2 degrees |
The breakover-angle improvement may be the most useful. It reduces the chance of planting the middle of the SUV on the crest of a steep hill or obstacle.
Greater approach and departure angles also give the Passport more room before its front or rear bumper contacts the terrain.
How the Passport compares with key rivals
Honda specifically calls out the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road, Subaru Outback Wilderness, and Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch.
Here is how the numbers compare:
| Model | Ground clearance | Approach | Breakover | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport | 9.65 in. | 25° | 23° | 25° |
| 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness | 9.5 in. | 20° | 21.2° | 22.5° |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road | 9.1 in. | 19° | 24° | 24° |
| Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch | 8.7 in. | 31.2° | 21.7° | 27.9° |
The Passport now has more ground clearance than all three of those specific competitors. It also beats the Outback Wilderness across the four measurements listed.
The comparison with the 4Runner is more complicated. The Passport has more clearance and a better approach angle than the TRD Off-Road, while the Toyota holds a one-degree breakover advantage. Higher-end 4Runner TRD Pro and Trailhunter models also offer as much as 10.1 inches of clearance.
Meanwhile, the much shorter Bronco Sport has better approach and departure angles, even though the Passport provides more space under the vehicle.
In other words, the Passport does not suddenly become the best rock crawler in every measurement. It does, however, close one of the largest capability gaps between it and more specialized off-road SUVs.
Honda did more than install taller springs
The impressive part of this update is how Honda achieved the additional height.
Instead of simply fitting taller springs, engineers redesigned nearly 70% of the Passport TrailSport’s major suspension components. Honda says 28 suspension and chassis parts are new or reengineered, including the springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars, and knuckles.
The front driveshafts and front subframe were also redesigned to accommodate the increased ride height and suspension travel.
That amount of work matters because a basic suspension lift can negatively affect steering, alignment, ride quality, and durability. Honda says its more comprehensive approach maintains proper suspension geometry while improving articulation and off-road ride quality.
Engineers also retuned the steering for better feel and response on the road.
Rugged styling and useful technology improve too
The extra clearance is paired with several visual changes.
More pronounced front and rear fender flares emphasize the increased ride height. Honda also reshaped the lower front fascia and added a pair of amber LED lights to the hood scoop, complementing the Passport’s amber daytime running lights.
A revised Blackout Package adds black lower front and rear skid garnishes, along with black 18-inch wheels and black Honda badges. Smoke Blue Pearl replaces Obsidian Blue Pearl in the color lineup.
Inside, a heated steering wheel is now standard on every TrailSport trim.
Honda is also making its TrailWatch camera system standard across the TrailSport lineup. Previously reserved for the TrailSport Elite, the system provides front, rear, side, and 360-degree views with tire-placement graphics.
For many Passport owners, that camera system will likely be more useful than an extreme crawl ratio. It can help drivers position the tires around rocks, deep ruts, blind crests, and tight trail edges.
Strong sales are sending the Passport to Japan
Honda reported record Passport sales of 55,231 vehicles in 2025, an increase of nearly 70%. As of June 2026, TrailSport models accounted for more than 80% of Passport sales.
Those numbers show buyers are not simply purchasing a practical two-row Honda. They overwhelmingly want the rugged-looking version.
The Passport’s success is also creating an unusual reversal. Honda will begin exporting the Alabama-built Passport TrailSport Elite to Japan in early 2027.
It is a strong endorsement for an SUV designed in California, developed in Ohio, and built in Lincoln, Alabama.
The bottom line
The redesigned Passport already had the right formula: tough styling, a naturally aspirated V6, usable interior space, and comfortable road manners.
The 2027 suspension changes address its most obvious weakness.
With 9.65 inches of ground clearance and meaningfully improved off-road geometry, the Passport TrailSport now has numbers that better match its appearance. It still isn’t trying to be a dedicated rock crawler, and that is probably the point.
Most buyers want an SUV that looks adventurous, handles a difficult trail, and remains comfortable on the drive home. The Passport has become increasingly good at delivering exactly that.
Honda says the updated 2027 Passport TrailSport models will begin arriving at dealerships later in September. Pricing has not yet been announced.
