Expect more adventure SUVs from Honda
Honda introduced its first TrailSport model four years ago with the 2022 Passport TrailSport. It proved to be a masterstroke, as TrailSport variants now make up over 80% of all Passport sales, and the off-road-oriented trim line has expanded to the CR-V, Ridgeline, and Pilot.
But Honda isn’t done expanding its range of TrailSport models. More models are on the way, and Honda also wants to focus on the oily bits to turn these vehicles into even more capable machines, not just fancy appearance packages.
Tougher Suspensions and Better Ground Clearance
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Honda
At a recent roundtable in Tokyo, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Kazuhiro Takizawa, spoke about the company’s plans for the TrailSports.
“We’re expanding this concept,” said Takizawa, according to MotorTrend. “The TrailSport trim is not just for [showing off at] SEMA. We’re trying to expand the TrailSport trim further. This off-road capability is not just the way it looks but we are [also] improving the ground clearance. We are improving the suspension. This is our new challenge.”
The Passport TrailSport HRC Concept displayed at SEMA is a hint of what’s to come. It gets a 2.36-inch suspension lift, more underbody protection, new front/rear dampers, and bumpers that improve the SUV’s approach/departure angles. Accessories like an 8,000-lb winch and a swing-out full-size spare wheel carrier also go further than the changes made to the production Passport TrailSport.
The question is: How can the TrailSport brand feasibly be expanded in the context of Honda’s lineup of vehicles in the United States?
Related: I Drove the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport. Here’s My Honest Review
Other Possible TrailSport Models
The most natural expansion of the TrailSport sub-brand would be for Honda’s other crossovers, the subcompact HR-V and mid-size Prologue EV.
Subaru has shown that even smaller crossovers with the off-road treatment can be popular, as is the case with the Crosstrek Wilderness. This model has up to 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and other rugged extras; an HR-V TrailSport would be the perfect alternative.
Applying the same upgrades to the Prologue could be trickier, as these could affect its range on a full charge. However, this is a niche that’s about to be occupied by the upcoming Toyota bZ Woodland. Expected to arrive early next year, it will introduce a more adventure-minded vehicle into Toyota’s EV lineup, and a potential Prologue TrailSport would be a close competitor, should Honda decide to develop one.
All Honda needs now is a proper body-on-frame SUV to compete against Toyota’s 4Runner and Land Cruiser.
