One Of The Safest SUVs You Can Buy

When it comes to buying a new SUV, there is a huge number to choose from. You could go for a proper off-roading beast like the Ford Bronco, a city-friendly model like the Mazda CX-30, or a renownedly reliable SUV like the Toyota RAV4.

Base Trim Engine

3.5L V6 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

10-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

285 hp @ 6,100 rpm

Base Trim Torque

262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

While most models have a lot to shout about, if you are looking for an SUV that is relatively well-priced, capable, and extremely safe to ferry you and your family around in, there is a model produced by Honda for next year’s MY that is well worth looking at. This 2026 Honda SUV has received the highest crash test ratings and safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS, and is well-equipped for most tasks, so we are taking a closer look at what it can do.

The IIHS And NHTSA Agree: The Honda Passport Is One Safe SUV

Honda

With the highest possible rating from both the IIHS and NHTSA, next year’s Honda Passport is tipped to be an exceptionally safe SUV to own. Crash test ratings are good; it boasts a lot of safety features as standard, and it is likely to boast the famous Honda reliability record that we have all come to know and love. It is going to be a jack of all trades.

IIHS Crash Test Ratings Explained

Honda USA

According to the IIHS, the 2026 Passport has been given a rating of “Good” across the board in all of its crash testing, meaning that it performs well (safety-wise) in terms of structural integrity, restraint performance, and can mean a reduced risk of injury to you and your passengers.

To get these results, the IIHS ran several crash tests on a model, which included a 40 mph crash test where 40 percent of the front of the model hits a barrier to see how well the front absorbs energy (Moderate Overlap Front); another 40 mph test in which 25 percent of the front of the model is driven into a barrier (Small Overlap Front); and a side crash test, which sees a 4,200-pound barrier rammed into the side of a model at 37 mph. Ratings range from “Poor,” “Marginal,” and “Acceptable,” to “Good” as the best.

The IIHS has also rated the 2026 Honda Passport as “Good” for crash avoidance and mitigation, owing to the quality of the headlights utilized and the front crash prevention system fitted. They have also rated it “Good” for seat belts and child restraints, owing to the seat belt reminders in the cabin and the ease of use of LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).

Honda Passport NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5

Honda

While the 2026 model has yet to be added to the NHTSA’s website, they have rated the 2025 Passport as 5 out of 5 for overall safety. The NHTSA has said that the Forward Collision Warning system, Lane Departure Warning, Crash Imminent Braking, and Dynamic Brake Support, all of which are fitted as standard in the Passport, all perform at the required safety performance criteria.

The Main Safety Features Of The 2026 Honda Passport

Honda knows that safety is one of the highest priorities for most drivers in the U.S.A., and from the way they constructed the new Honda Passport to what they have added in the cabin, they seem to have nailed it; it is rammed full of safety features.

Build-wise, the new Honda Passport is constructed with the ACE Body Structure at the core of everything, which is optimized to distribute energy from a crash across the front subframe and side frame. Honda says that this body architecture increases load capacity by around 38 percent and offers pretty conclusive protection for anyone inside.

They have also added that they have enhanced the Passport’s body strength to include a 72 percent increase in front lateral rigidity and 50 percent in rear torsional rigidity, so the structure is very shored up both in and out of a crash.

Driving Aids And Features That Keep You Safe

Honda

Every 2026 Honda Passport is going to come equipped with a huge number of safety features and aids, all centered around the Honda Sensing suite. Collision Mitigation Braking System with advanced pedestrian detection can automatically push the brakes for you; Road Departure Mitigation and Lane Keeping Assist keep you centered in your lane; Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow helps you to stay smooth in traffic; and Traffic Sign Recognition reads signs and displays them on your cluster, so there is no guesswork needed.

Honda

That’s not where it ends, though, and Honda has also fitted a Driver Attention Monitor that tracks your steering and alerts you if you start to drift from tiredness. Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor helps you change lanes and reverse safely, and Auto High-Beam headlights adjust to not dazzle oncoming drivers.

You get four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, and Vehicle Stability Control with traction control included at build, so it is no joke when we say that Honda has ensured that the Passport covers all safety corners.

An All-Round Sturdy And Reliable Build

Honda

For many years, Honda has enjoyed being one of the most trusted auto brands in terms of reliability and low maintenance costs, and the Honda Passport is no different. RepairPal has given the Honda Passport an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 and also says that it will only cost you $371 per year to maintain it.

That makes it a lot more reliable than the mid-size SUV market average of 3.5 out of 5 for reliability and cheaper than the average too ($573 vs. $371 per year for maintenance). Similarly, the Honda Passport has been given impressive ratings from owners who have left a review on JD Power, with an overall rating of 81 out of 100, or more importantly here, 80 out of 100 for reliability and build quality.

2026 Honda Passport Trims And Pricing

Honda

So it is all very impressive how safe and sturdy the Honda Passport is, and how well it performs as a tank on the road, but what else do you get from it? Thankfully, next year’s Honda Passport is going to be available as more than just a safe SUV for family errands. Next year’s Passport is going to be available at a starting price of $44,750 and in seven trims, which will all be good for different purposes.

• 2026 Honda Passport RTL – $44,750
• 2026 Honda Passport RTL Towing – $45,450
• 2026 Honda Passport RTL Blackout – $45,950
• 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport – $48,450
• 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Blackout – $49,650
• 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite – $52,450
• 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite Blackout – $53,650

2026 Honda Passport Performance Specifications

Honda

There is only one engine option for next year’s Honda Passport: a naturally aspirated V6 that is both as useful off-road (in certain trims) as it is for everyday driving. Fuel economy stats for the 2026 Honda Passport haven’t been released yet, but the 2025 Honda Passport can achieve a combined mpg rating of 21 mpg (19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway), and will cost you $2,250 a year on gas.

2026 Honda Passport Performance Specs

The engine that is being utilized across the grades this year is an introduction to the new DOHC J35Y8 V6 to replace the SOHC J35Y6 V6 equipped in the 2025 model. Next year’s V6 boasts a 24-valve DOHC setup with dual Variable Timing Control (VTC), and is a step up from the previous engine. It still comes equipped with direct fuel injection, Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), and an 11.5:1 compression ratio, but is more refined. The 2026 Passport’s V6 is mated to a 10-speed auto box, with the power then being sent out via the second-gen i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.

The Passport’s AWD system is pretty effective and boasts a stronger rear drive unit compared to previous generations; it is 30 percent faster to respond, and it can divert up to 100 percent of available torque to either rear wheel, ideal for crawling on the loose stuff.

What You Get With A New Honda Passport

From the base trim up to the top-spec TrailSport Elite, next year’s Passport looks to be a very comprehensively equipped machine. The base RTL trim comes equipped with everything you’d expect in a modern SUV, like an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless phone connectivity, and the already-mentioned safety suite.

The RTL Towing adds a towing package, which includes a seven-pin wiring harness, Trailer Stability Assist, and a hitch panel; the TrailSport starts to give you a bit more in the way of off-road guts in the shape of all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, and tow hooks.

2026 Honda Passport Interior Dimensions

If you are looking for a comfortable SUV, the TrailSport Elite is the one to look for. You get features like ventilated front seats, a Bose 12-speaker audio rig, and the TrailWatch camera system, which gives you a clear view of what is around you. The TrailSport Elite Blackout comes equipped with similar features, but you get a sleeker all-black exterior.

If it is a factory-ready off-roading SUV you want, the two trims to take a look at are the TrailSport and TrailSport Elite. They both showcase 31-inch all-terrain tires, off-road tuned suspension, skid plates, high-vis recovery hooks, a digital instrument cluster that provides real-time data on pitch, elevation and roll, and a compass. You also get a decent approach angle of 23 degrees and a departure angle of 23.1 degrees, so you can make the most of the gnarlier off-road setup and the TrailWatch Camera in the TrailSport Elite.

Other Family-Friendly And Safe 2026 SUVs

Nissan

The 2026 Honda Passport is by no means going to be a luxury SUV, but it is an SUV that can get a heck of a lot done for a reasonably affordable price. It is even more reasonably priced when you view it as an SUV that should last you a long time, an SUV that is designed to keep you and your family safe, and an SUV that can be well-equipped for towing, hauling, everyday versatility, and off-roading.

It is not alone, though, and next year’s SUV market looks to host a good number of safe, relatively affordable, and family-friendly SUVs that can get a lot done.

New Family-Friendly SUV Spec Comparison