All-New Honda Passport Receives “Adventure Vehicle of the Year” Honors from GearJunkie
Honda’s redesigned 2026 Passport has been named “Adventure Vehicle of the Year” for the 2nd-row SUV category by the editorial team at GearJunkie. The award recognizes both the standard Passport and the off-road-oriented TrailSport trim for their balance of rugged capability and on-road refinement.
This accolade marks the second time a Honda product has received top honors from the publication, following the Honda Transalp 750’s win for Best Motorcycle in 2023.
Evaluation and Editorial Feedback
GearJunkie’s annual awards evaluate new on- and off-road vehicles released over the previous 12 months. In their assessment of the 2026 Passport, editors cited the vehicle’s aggressive redesign and enhanced technical features as key factors in its selection.
”The 2026 Honda Passport is all-new, featuring a more aggressive appearance and enhanced off-road capability, particularly in TrailSport trim,” the GearJunkie editorial team stated. They further noted that the vehicle remains a “civilized and capable package” despite the absence of a traditional low-range transfer case, crediting its performance to a well-integrated suite of adventure-focused components.
Technical Specifications and Off-Road Features
The 2026 Passport was designed and manufactured in the United States. It is equipped with a standard V6 engine and the i-VTM4® torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The model is available in three primary trim levels: RTL, TrailSport, and the new TrailSport Elite.
The TrailSport trim is positioned as the most off-road capable SUV in Honda’s current lineup. Its standard equipment includes:
- Off-road tuned suspension system.
- Steel underbody skid plates for component protection.
- Bright orange heavy-duty recovery points.
- All-terrain tires specifically engineered for the platform.
- The TrailWatch™ camera system (exclusive to the TrailSport Elite) to assist in navigating technical terrain.
Market Performance
The release of the all-new model coincided with a significant increase in consumer demand. Honda reported record sales for the Passport in 2025, representing a nearly 70% increase over the previous year. According to company data, the TrailSport trims accounted for 80% of those total sales, indicating a strong market preference for the more rugged iterations of the SUV.
