Honda Passport Wins GearJunkie Adventure Vehicle of the Year Award

The 2026 Honda Passport was named Adventure Vehicle of the Year by GearJunkie, highlighting its redesigned platform, off-road focus, and strong market reception.

The all-new Honda Passport has earned recognition from one of the most influential media outlets focused on outdoor culture and adventure travel. The 2026 model was named Adventure Vehicle of the Year by GearJunkie, taking top honors in the two-row SUV category for both the standard Passport and the rugged TrailSport variant.

This marks Honda’s second win in GearJunkie’s annual awards program, following earlier recognition for the Transalp 750 motorcycle. In the case of the Passport, editors highlighted the vehicle’s balanced approach, combining a more aggressive design with enhanced off-road capability while maintaining everyday on-road comfort.

The 2026 Passport represents a full redesign. In TrailSport form, it features an off-road-tuned suspension, a strengthened i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring, steel underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and exposed heavy-duty recovery points. Despite the absence of a low-range transfer case, GearJunkie noted that the overall package delivers credible adventure capability both on and off the pavement.

The lineup consists of three primary trims: RTL, TrailSport, and the newly introduced TrailSport Elite. The range-topping Elite version combines off-road hardware with higher-end equipment, including the new TrailWatch camera system, leather seating, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. Every 2026 Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with maximum towing capacity rated at 5,000 pounds.

Market performance underscores the model’s momentum. Honda reported record Passport sales in 2025, with volumes rising by nearly 70 percent year over year. Rugged TrailSport versions accounted for roughly 80 percent of total Passport sales, signaling strong consumer demand for SUVs with a clear adventure-oriented identity.

Against the backdrop of a growing market for vehicles that blend daily usability with outdoor capability, the Passport’s recognition by GearJunkie reflects a broader shift in buyer preferences toward versatile, adventure-ready SUVs.