2028 Honda Accord and Passport Could Get Major Overhauls

It appears as though Honda is preparing a serious overhaul for both its Passport SUV and Honda Accord sedan for the 2028 model year. According to a report from Automotive News, the Accord is due for “pretty major” changes, while the Passport is expected to get a tougher design and an even more off-road-focused TrailSport trim. The redesigned models will reportedly reach the market in the second half of 2027.

Passport TrailSport Taking Aim at Toyota TRD

The Honda Passport is expected to push even deeper into rugged-SUV territory with styling that further addresses the growing consumer appetite for more off-road themed models. Leading that charge will be an updated Passport TrailSport, which is expected to get a revised suspension with extra ride height to further boost its already respectable off-road capability. If Honda really wants its TrailSport-branded models like the Passport to square off with Toyota’s TRD offerings, it will need to keep moving them in a more extreme direction.

See All 12 Photos12

2028 Accord Looks Like a Real Departure

As for the Accord, Honda has yet to spell out any exact changes, but Gary Robinson, American Honda’s head of product planning, said the updated sedan will “feel like a new model.” That suggests something more substantial than a routine refresh.

Honda may have already previewed the Accord’s new direction. In May, it showed off a hybrid sedan prototype with elements of the design language it employed for its Honda Zero Series of vehicles during the company’s (since aborted) EV push. Reports say the 2028 Accord will be more angular in its styling, with slimmer headlights, a thinner grille, and other elements that will move it away from the current car’s softer look. That sounds very much like the prototype.

See All 12 Photos12

The Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype was unveiled in May.

The next Accord will also almost certainly come equipped with a version of Honda’s latest hybrid powertrain, and the redesign could bring Honda’s S Plus Shift system to the Accord as well. The simulated shifting feature debuted on the Prelude and is set to expand to the Civic Hybrid this fall.

Sedans Still Matter to Honda

The Accord’s reported overhaul also fits with Honda’s broader view of the continued importance of its long-running Civic and Accord sedans to the brand’s future success. With Ford, Stellantis, Mitsubishi, and General Motors all reportedly working on new sedan-centric models aimed at buyers seeking more affordable vehicles, it only makes sense for Honda to sharpen its Accord lineup before 2030.