The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport gets a substantial suspension update, more ground clearance and additional standard equipment. It builds on the rugged styling and everyday usability that impressed us when the current Passport arrived.
Adapted from Cory Fourniquet’s PUTT report published September 9, 2026. The update below concerns Honda’s announced 2027 changes, not a new WTC road test.
Ground clearance rises to 9.65 inches
The biggest change for 2027 is underneath the Passport.
Off-road, inches matter, and Honda has increased ground clearance from 8.27 inches to 9.65 inches. That added height also improves all three measurements that matter when crossing uneven terrain.
| Measurement | 2026 Passport TrailSport | 2027 Passport TrailSport | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 8.27 inches | 9.65 inches | 1.38 inches |
| Approach angle | 23 degrees | 25 degrees | 2 degrees |
| Breakover angle | 20 degrees | 23 degrees | 3 degrees |
| Departure angle | 23 degrees | 25 degrees | 2 degrees |
The breakover-angle improvement may be the most useful. It reduces the chance of planting the middle of the SUV on the crest of a steep hill or obstacle.
Greater approach and departure angles also give the Passport more room before its front or rear bumper contacts the terrain.
Honda reworked the suspension, not just the springs
The impressive part of this update is how Honda achieved the additional height.
Instead of simply fitting taller springs, engineers redesigned nearly 70% of the Passport TrailSport’s major suspension components. Honda says 28 suspension and chassis parts are new or reengineered, including the springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars, and knuckles.
The front driveshafts and front subframe were also redesigned to accommodate the increased ride height and suspension travel.
That amount of work matters because a basic suspension lift can negatively affect steering, alignment, ride quality, and durability. Honda says its more comprehensive approach maintains proper suspension geometry while improving articulation and off-road ride quality.
Engineers also retuned the steering for better feel and response on the road.
TrailWatch and a heated steering wheel become standard
The extra clearance is paired with several visual changes.
More pronounced front and rear fender flares emphasize the increased ride height. Honda also reshaped the lower front fascia and added a pair of amber LED lights to the hood scoop, complementing the Passport’s amber daytime running lights.
A revised Blackout Package adds black lower front and rear skid garnishes, along with black 18-inch wheels and black Honda badges. Smoke Blue Pearl replaces Obsidian Blue Pearl in the color lineup.
Inside, a heated steering wheel is now standard on every TrailSport trim.
Honda is also making its TrailWatch camera system standard across the TrailSport lineup. Previously reserved for the TrailSport Elite, the system provides front, rear, side, and 360-degree views with tire-placement graphics.
For many Passport owners, that camera system will likely be more useful than an extreme crawl ratio. It can help drivers position the tires around rocks, deep ruts, blind crests, and tight trail edges.
The basics: V6 power, two rows and Alabama production
The Passport remains a two-row unibody SUV, and Honda confirms a 3.5-liter V6 for 2027. The suspension update applies to TrailSport models. That layout is central to the appeal described in our original report: rugged styling in a vehicle intended to remain comfortable for everyday driving.
Honda reported record Passport sales of 55,231 vehicles in 2025, an increase of nearly 70%. As of June 2026, TrailSport models accounted for more than 80% of Passport sales.
Those numbers show buyers are not simply purchasing a practical two-row Honda. They overwhelmingly want the rugged-looking version.
The Passport’s success is also creating an unusual reversal. Honda will begin exporting the Alabama-built Passport TrailSport Elite to Japan in early 2027.
It is a strong endorsement for an SUV designed in California, developed in Ohio, and built in Lincoln, Alabama.
The 2027 suspension changes address its most obvious weakness.
With 9.65 inches of ground clearance and meaningfully improved off-road geometry, the Passport TrailSport now has numbers that better match its appearance. It still isn’t trying to be a dedicated rock crawler, and that is probably the point.
Most buyers want an SUV that looks adventurous, handles a difficult trail, and remains comfortable on the drive home. The Passport has become increasingly good at delivering exactly that.
In its September 9 announcement, Honda said updated models would begin reaching dealers later that month. That release did not include prices; check the current window sticker for the exact trim and equipment. The changes described here were verified against Honda’s release on September 20, 2026.
