2027 Honda Passport TrailSport: A Family Trail Upgrade
We have tested the Honda Passport before, and it quickly became a family favorite. You can watch our Passport overview and our family review to see why. So when Honda released details on the 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport, we paid close attention.
The story is simple. Honda took an SUV we already loved. Then it made the rugged TrailSport tougher, more capable, and more comfortable for family life. For 2027, Honda focused on the TrailSport trims, which now make up more than 80% of Passport sales. In other words, this is the version most buyers actually want.
The updates fall into three buckets: a reengineered suspension, tougher styling, and more standard comfort and tech. Best of all, several features that once cost extra are now standard across the lineup.
The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport Gets More Ground Clearance
The biggest change is underneath. The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport now offers 9.65 inches of ground clearance, a gain of 1.38 inches. As a result, Honda says it clears more ground than its main rivals. That list includes the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road, the Subaru Outback Wilderness, and the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch.
Honda did not simply raise the ride height, either. Instead, its engineers redesigned nearly 70% of the major suspension parts. That work touched the springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars, and knuckles. Because of it, the Passport gains better approach, breakover, and departure angles on the trail. Honda also sharpened the steering feel, so the SUV should feel better on your daily drive too.
For most families, the takeaway is confidence. Picture pulling into a muddy campsite or a snowy soccer parking lot. Extra clearance and a smarter suspension both help.
Family Comfort And Trail Tech, Now Standard
Here is the part we like most for families. The clever TrailWatch camera system is now standard on every Passport TrailSport. Previously, you had to buy the top Elite trim to get it. The system offers four views, including a helpful 360-degree view. It even adds tire placement graphics that show where your wheels are headed. On the trail, that helps you avoid obstacles you cannot see. In a tight parking garage, it simply makes life easier.
Honda also made the heated steering wheel standard across the TrailSport lineup. It is a small touch, but any parent doing an early winter school run will appreciate it. The familiar 3.5-liter V6 carries over, and all-wheel drive (AWD) remains standard. So the Passport keeps the everyday usability we praised before.
New Colors And A Bolder Look
Honda gave the 2027 Passport TrailSport a tougher face to match its new stance. The updates include more pronounced fender flares and a resculpted lower front fascia. There is also a pair of amber LED hood scoop lights that echo the Passport’s amber daytime running lights.
There is a fresh color, too. Smoke Blue Pearl replaces Obsidian Blue Pearl, and it first appeared on the 2026 Honda Pilot. Speaking of the Pilot, it shares a platform with the Passport. Holli put that bigger three-row through a real family road trip. Her 2026 Pilot Elite road trip review is worth a read. It shows how this family of Hondas drives with kids and luggage aboard. Want maximum attitude? The Blackout Package now adds black lower skid garnishes, black fascias, black 18-inch wheels, and black Honda badges.
The HTX App Turns Trips Into Shareable Videos
Honda also launched a free app called the Honda Trail Experience, or HTX. It works with 2026 and 2027 TrailSport models. The app pulls real-time data like elevation, pitch, roll, and speed. More fun for families, though, is the video feature. You can record your drive and export clips with map and performance overlays built right in. So the next time you take the kids on a back-road adventure, you can share the whole thing.
Built In America, And Selling Strong
The Passport story is also an American manufacturing story. Honda builds the Passport and its 3.5-liter V6 at its plant in Lincoln, Alabama. In fact, Honda led the Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index with five vehicles in the top 10, including the Passport.
The sales numbers back up that momentum. Passport sales climbed 12.2% in the first half of 2026, part of a strong year across Honda’s lineup. You can read more in our look at Honda’s strong first-half results. Clearly, families are responding to what the Passport offers.
Should Your Family Wait For The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport?
If you loved the Passport before, the 2027 update is easy to like. It keeps everything that made the SUV a great family hauler. Plus it adds real capability and features that used to cost extra. The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport should reach dealerships later this month, though Honda has not announced pricing yet.
Our advice is simple. Want more comfort and tech for the money? The new standard gear makes the 2027 model worth a look. And if your family loves the outdoors, the added ground clearance turns the Passport into a genuine adventure partner. We cannot wait to get one in the driveway and put it through our own family test. Be sure to subscribe to GT: Garage Talk® on YouTube so you do not miss it.
