---
title: "Whoa, the 2026 Honda Passport Looks Pretty Rugged After All"
description: "Here's our first complete look at the 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport, out preparing for the upcoming Rebelle Rally."
date: "2024-10-11"
modified: "2024-10-11"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/whoa-the-2026-honda-passport-looks-pretty-rugged-after-all"
categories:
  - "Honda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "honda"
  - "Off-Road"
  - "passport"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Whoa, the 2026 Honda Passport Looks Pretty Rugged After All

![2026 Honda Passport Trailsport front three-quarter angle view ahead of Rebelle Rally.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/462783569_1122690122553045_26257-copy.jpg>)
*\<em\>\<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9UA2LSGv2/?utm_source=ig_embed&img_index=1" rel="nofollow"\>@rebelleteam208\</a\> via Instagram, The Drive\</em\>*

[Honda](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/honda-news>) [told everyone](<https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/release-a7f6e80eb97eda86d5973d3850061728-all-new-2026-honda-passport-trailsport-to-make-off-road-competition-debut-at-rebelle-rally>) that a next-gen Passport Trailsport prototype would run the upcoming Rebelle Rally, but I'm not sure anyone expected it to look this good. I mean, the Japanese automaker insisted it would be "the most rugged Honda SUV ever," though that isn't such a high bar to clear. Still, these photos [posted to Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9UA2LSGv2/?utm_source=ig_embed&img_index=1>) show a pretty muscular family hauler that ought to do just fine on the trail, especially compared to its unibody rivals like the [Nissan Pathfinder](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/44113/2022-nissan-pathfinder-review-finally-competitive-again-thanks-to-improved-everything>).

We know a few details about the next-gen Passport. It'll retain its 3.5-liter V6 engine while gaining more power, and also keep its 10-speed automatic transmission. The SUV's torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system, which Honda calls best-in-class, will come standard. That's a pretty solid bill of goods versus the competition, at a time when so many off-road SUVs are switching to turbo four-cylinders—heck, even the [Toyota 4Runner](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2025-toyota-4runner-revealed-huge-leap-forward-for-an-old-school-suv>) has. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess what Honda has done underneath the vehicle's fresh redesign.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/462589138_1122690469219677_12860_7e9ca7.jpg>)
*Look at that lil' bulldog! *[@rebelleteam208](<https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9UA2LSGv2/?utm_source=ig_embed&img_index=1>) via Instagram**

Everything on this Rebelle competitor is stock besides the beefy Maxxis RAZR all-terrains, according to Honda. That's kind of a shame about the tires, if you ask me. I'm sure that rubber is more aggressive than most customers want, but an SUV so-equipped from the factory would be more deserving of the nearly $47,000 starting MSRP the current-gen car already wears. Hopefully, that's the first mod owners will make.

A few other details that stand out to me are the bright orange tow hooks up front, the maybe-functional hood scoop, and the relatively high-and-tight rear bumper for a respectable departure angle.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/462694002_1122690459219678_42902_106b25.jpg>)
*Honda quality engineers Adia Raya and Madison Russell will drive the 2026 Passport Trailsport in their Rebelle debut. *[@rebelleteam208](<https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9UA2LSGv2/?utm_source=ig_embed&img_index=1>) via Instagram**

We'll see how the next-gen Passport Trailsport prototype fares at the Rebelle Rally, a tough test for 4x4s and their drivers alike. It's an all-women event that requires traditional map-reading and navigation skills, and often, trailside repairs. The 10-day event wraps up on Oct. 19 after the teams take off from Mammoth Mountain, California, to hit the 1,500-mile race course.

**Correction Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, 1:30 p.m. ET:** *The original version of this article speculated as to the 2026 Honda Passport's powertrain, when Honda had already confirmed that the SUV will utilize a 3.5-liter V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission. The story has been corrected to reflect this; The Drive regrets the error.*

*Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com*

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-jacobs-319323119>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/calebjwords>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/calebjacobs0611>)