--- title: "Honda’s Coming for Subaru and Jeep With Off-Road Pivot" date: "2025-11-05" modified: "2025-11-05" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-ceo-says-passport-hrc-concept-is-not-just-for-sema-signals-further-off-road-pivot" categories: - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "suv/crossover" --- # Honda’s Coming for Subaru and Jeep With Off-Road Pivot ![Honda Passport TrailSport HRC Concept]() *\Honda\* Turns out the [Honda Passport HRC Concept]() shown at SEMA this week might be more than a concept. It might be headed for reality. In Japan last week [Honda]() America President and CEO Kazuhiro Takizawa told *The Drive* that the concept “is not just for SEMA.” The executive went on to say, “we’re trying to expand the TrailSport trim furthermore.” Takizawa referenced how the Type R provides a sports image on the road; the automaker is really now working to enhance its off-road image and capability. While it started with the Pilot, then Passport, and now CR-V, “we would like to further implement this TrailSport trim to other models also.” The TrailSport trim goes beyond looks. Takizawa noted Honda’s upgrading these models with more ground clearance and upgraded suspension. The HRC Concept Passport takes things a full step further with an integrated front bumper-mounted winch, aluminum skid plates that protect the center bearing, prop shaft, and rear drive unit, upgraded dampers, a swing-out rear tire carrier, a unique exhaust, and about a 2.4-inch lift, which is meaningful. The comments from Takizawa track. The Passport TrailSport arrived as a [sucker punch to Subaru](), [looks pretty rugged](), and frankly is just [a Toyota 4Runner for normal people](). Honda’s gone as far as [building an extreme one-off Pilot TrailSport]() that’s trail-ready just to show its employees how to off-road. How far Honda takes the TrailSport nameplate is yet to be seen, but a winch and 2.4-inch factory-backed lift kit could be in the Passport TrailSport’s future options list. *Honda provided The Drive with travel, accommodations, and access to engineers for the purpose of writing this story.* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()