Honda finally built the off-road SUV it should've made years ago, boxy, capable, and $10-15k cheaper than a 4Runner while driving better on pavement. The 2026 redesign nails the look with aggressive styling and backs it up with real hardware: 8.3 inches of ground clearance, steel skid plates, and an AWD system that'll handle more trail than most owners will ever see. The naturally aspirated V6 is a proven workhorse in a segment going turbo-four. But you're paying for that capability at the pump, owners report 17-20 mpg in mixed driving, and that 19-gallon tank means gas stops every 300 miles. The 10-speed transmission is a lottery: some units shift smoothly, others buck and hunt constantly, and dealers say that's normal. If you can stomach feeding it premium and frequent fill-ups, and you value Honda's reputation over a hybrid powertrain, the Passport delivers genuine adventure capability without the 4Runner's penalty box interior or dated tech. If fuel economy matters or you want buttery-smooth power delivery, the CR-V Hybrid is sitting right there in the showroom.
Here's what you're actually buying: a spacious, dependable family hauler with a third row that fits humans, a removable middle seat that's genuinely clever, and a proven V6 that'll run to 200,000 miles without drama. The tradeoff is fuel economy, no hybrid option means high-teens MPG while Toyota sells Highlander Hybrids as fast as they can build them, and at $4/gallon that's real money over ownership. Interior materials on lower trims feel a step behind the CX-90 and Grand Highlander, and the styling won't turn heads. Buy it if you need maximum space and proven reliability and don't mind feeding the tank. Skip it if fuel economy or luxury feel matter more, the Grand Highlander Hybrid and CX-90 both answer those needs better.