2026 Honda Passport Interior Review: Two Spare Tires Inside!
The new trail-seeking SUV’s cabin is smart with a rugged spirit.
The 2026 Honda Passport could be viewed as just another new model pieced together from the corporate parts bin. And that’s not entirely untrue; the Passport’s most substantial pieces are shared with other Hondas, including most of the cabin. But details unique to the Passport show adventurous personality uncommon for prosaic Honda—and regardless of what’s shared, the SUV’s interior seems successfully executed. Take a look through the 2026 Passport’s interior and some cool off-road extras inside.
0:00 / 0:00
Function Forward
As before, the new Passport is more or less a shrunken Pilot, built on the same platform with the same engine. Although the Passport doesn’t have a third-row seat, it otherwise shares a lot with the Pilot—good. Like its larger counterpart, the Passport shows Honda’s skill in packaging interior space and storage. Both rows of seats offer ample headroom and legroom; the steering column’s large range of adjustment ensures an ergonomic driving position. Honda’s push-button shifter takes a little getting used to, but its flat shape contributes to a more open feeling inside.
A variety of pockets, cubbies, and bins surround the cabin. There’s a large open area at the front of the center console and a shelf for the front passenger above the glove compartment. Honda admits the Passport’s interior door panels are shared with the Pilot’s, which have several stash spots for small items and cupholders that accommodate tall bottles. Both front seat backs have a traditional large storage pouch, while higher-end Passport models gain an additional smaller pocket below the headrests.
Central to the dashboard is something too rare in new cars these days: straightforward, foolproof physical dials and buttons for climate controls, rather than a digital equivalent. Again, this panel is found in the Pilot and similar to what's in other Honda models, but it works so well that having it here, too, is a boon.
Leaning Into TrailSport
As is typical for Honda, the Passport’s cabin is designed for simplicity and ease of use more than alluring aesthetics. Yet among Honda models the Passport is relatively fun and adventurous, which makes sense given the model’s focus on its TrailSport off-road trims. A bold Passport imprint smack in the middle of the dashboard is evidence of Honda’s pride.
Above the base RTL model, the Passport TrailSport and TrailSport Elite gain distinctive trim and flourishes. An orange theme pervades throughout—the subbrand's signature hue is seen on the seat stitching, dashboard, and drive mode selector toggle. On the doors and center console, plastic trim panels with an interesting gray geometric pattern add visual intrigue. In the front center console bin of TrailSport models, a topographical map pattern serves as a reminder of the SUV’s spirit. The TrailSport logo—a motif inspired by the Alabama Hills in California’s eastern Sierras—makes some Easter egg appearances.
Depending on configuration, the Passport’s seats are upholstered in a combination of either leatherette and tough-looking heather cloth or perforated leather in black or brown. That contrasting cloth or leather material also lines the door panel; Honda generally did well to keep material quality consistent between the first and second rows. Floormats are carpeted in a chunky two-tone texture or rubberized.
Shared Tech
Honda product planners explained how they’ve previously used technology features to differentiate vehicle trim levels, but for the Passport, customers can choose depending on how much off-road capability they need. As such, tech is relatively consistent across Passport trim levels. All models have a 10.2-inch gauge cluster display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. In addition to Google built-in apps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Various USB-C ports are complemented by a wireless charging pad, which might be better situated in a more enclosed area rather than the open front center console bin. In the TrailSport Elite, audio plays through a Bose 12-speaker system.
Space for Adventures
A vehicle like this needs to carry plenty of gear to get off the grid, and the Passport seems well prepared. Its cargo door struts are mounted vertically and far off to each side, contributing to a squared-off opening. The cargo area looks usefully shaped and has little intrusion from the wheelwells. Along each side, a walled-off bin and shaped compartment appear big enough for water jugs, a bike helmet, or hiking boots.
Beneath the cargo floor are two additional areas. The larger one is mostly occupied by the standard compact spare tire. The other offers a few extra cubic feet of storage. Lifting the cargo floor toward the seats grants access to both areas. Folding it to the passenger side opens up the bonus cargo zone. Also beneath the floor beside the spare tire is a series of imprinted TrailSport logos.
Rad Accessories
Accessorizing is half the fun for off-roading, and Honda’s factory accessories for the Passport won’t leave customers wanting. Removable panels enclosing the cargo bins can be swapped out for a metal modular grid. Harking back to the classic Honda CR-V, the Passport can be had with a dual-purpose hard cargo cover and removable folding picnic table.
Drivers gearing up for rugged terrain should choose the Passport’s full-size spare tire carrier, which fits into the extra underfloor storage area and integrates two cupholders as a bonus. Sturdy straps and a nylon cover keep the tire secure. So equipped, the Passport has two spares, but in this case removing the compact donut and dedicating that space to storage probably makes more sense.
Actually Off-Road Ready?
We’re eager to drive the new Passport and find out if it’s actually as trail-capable as Honda promises it to be. If it’s not, its interior still seems smart and versatile enough to excel in regular driving. And if it is, the interior should contribute to all-terrain exploration.
Alex's earliest memory is of a teal 1993 Ford Aspire, the car that sparked his automotive obsession. He's never driven that tiny hatchback—at six feet, 10 inches tall, he likely wouldn't fit—but has assessed hundreds of other vehicles, sharing his insights on MotorTrend as a writer and video host.
Read More
