It’s time to tow! While many Honda Passport owners may likely haul something enjoyable like a trailer, a boat, or perhaps some ATVs, I, unfortunately, missed out on any thrilling adventures with exciting machinery. I initially considered taking a quick road trip with the family and towing a trailer to observe how the Passport performed, but life and poor weather (a.k.a. winter) interrupted my plans.
Nonetheless, I couldn’t allow my long-term Passport tester to return to the mothership without understanding its maximum towing capacity, so I rented a U-Haul car hauler and loaded my son’s manual Honda Civic Coupe. In total, the combo weighed about 4,800 pounds, just under the SUV’s 5,000-pound limit. Factoring in the passengers, we may have been slightly above its rating. Oops.
My full-day test involved highway and city driving to assess handling traits, along with some maneuvering, like stopping at a gas station, drive-thru, and other real-world situations. Living in Indiana, where everything is quite flat and dull, I can’t inform you how the Passport would fare on a 7% incline in Colorado, but I can provide you an idea of what to expect if you intend to tow frequently at the limit.
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Towing Capability
As my colleague Joel Feder recently pointed out in a post, Honda knows how to set up a proper trailer. His experience was with a Ridgeline, but the setup in the Passport is the same. The safety chain loops are neither too thick nor too small, and they’re conveniently located. The seven-pin connector for the lights is positioned right next to the hitch, which, as he noted, isn’t as handy as having it near the license plate like in some pickups, but it also means the connector doesn’t have to stretch as far and put excessive tension on the cable.
Connecting the U-Haul car trailer was fairly simple, and there’s a good chance you’ve done so before. Drop the trailer onto the hitch’s ball, secure the pin, attach the chains, connect the lights, test the lights, and you’re ready to go.
From the outset, I could sense the weight of the trailer and car behind me, primarily due to the suspension rather than any loss of power. As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, the 3.5-liter V6 engine is impressively strong, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is more than sufficient for any driving conditions, including towing up to 5,000 pounds.
First, I embarked on a multi-hour journey north on I-69. For the initial 50 miles or so, I nestled in behind traffic and maintained around 60 mph just to gauge what the Passport felt like, paying attention to road noise and other factors. Everything felt steady and robust, without any surprises. At that pace, I could quickly apply more power to make a safe pass and return to the appropriate lane. I conducted a couple of braking tests to determine how the SUV would respond if it needed to slow down suddenly and significantly, and it retained its composure.
Next, I increased the speed to approximately 75 mph, briefly reaching 80 to overtake other vehicles. Again, no surprises. However, while exiting the highway for a gas station, I executed a near-panic stop braking test for the sake of this article, and that’s when I truly noticed the weight behind me. Still, it felt nowhere near out of control, but whenever you’re towing significant weight, I advise maintaining a generous distance from the car ahead.
The key takeaway from highway driving is how unaffected the drivetrain appeared with all that weight behind. While I’m no engineer, I suspect braking power and possibly transmission cooling are factors that keep the Passport from achieving a higher towing capacity—perhaps a few other elements that escape me. Maneuvering through traffic, changing lanes, and regular passing felt perfectly normal, and I could envision towing nearly this much weight on a lengthy trip.
Similarly, I’ve extensively discussed the Passport’s unladen suspension’s bouncy and springy behavior, and attaching the trailer definitely mitigated that. The rear felt more structured, although the articulation between the front and rear axles when encountering bumps was noticeably compromised. The ride was not harsh, but you could definitely sense the impact of carrying that weight.
I appreciated feeling the trailer weight push down on the rear suspension, which, in turn, instilled a sense of confidence while navigating minor turns on the highway at speed. The primary adjustment was getting accustomed to the length of the setup, as I had never towed anything longer than a six-foot open-top utility trailer with the Passport a few months back. It brought me back to my karting days when I towed a 20-foot trailer with a Silverado.
In addition to the interstate, I also drove around town, which required more stopping at red lights, frequent acceleration to get moving, and a bit more steering. The Passport didn’t exert itself, though how aggressively you accelerate from a red light will impact your fuel economy. Spoiler alert: If you use all 285 hp to quickly move from light to light, there will be a cost.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t finish the test with any significant conclusions. Essentially, it performs as expected. Overall, I aimed to discover how the Passport TrailSport felt while towing at maximum capacity, and the result is “Quite good.” Even if you select a non-TrailSport variant, conditions will be generally similar, as ground clearance remains the same, though stabilizer bar details and tires are marginally different. Clearly, I’d advise that if you’re purchasing a trailer or some type of toy, you maintain a weight well below the SUV’s limit for flexibility and safety. Remember, you still need to transport passengers and a considerable amount of gear when embarking on an adventure.
Also, how attractive does the Passport and Civic Coupe pairing look?
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**2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Towing Capacity Assessment: Analyzing Maximum Performance**
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is crafted to appeal to adventure lovers and families alike, offering a combination of rugged capability and everyday utility. One of the most crucial features of any SUV, particularly for those who enjoy outdoor excursions, is its towing capacity. This piece explores the towing abilities of the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport, assessing its performance under various scenarios.
**Engine and Performance Details**
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine works in tandem with a 9-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth shifts and responsive acceleration. The Passport TrailSport also comes with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, enhancing traction and stability, especially when towing substantial loads or traversing difficult terrains.
**Towing Capacity Insight**
The maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is rated at 5,000 pounds when suitably equipped. This capacity is competitive in its class, making it appropriate for towing a variety of recreational vehicles, including small boats, trailers, and campers. It’s essential to understand that attaining this maximum capacity necessitates using the correct towing package and equipment.
**Towing Performance Assessment**
To analyze the towing performance of the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport, a series of evaluations were carried out under different conditions, including flat highways, steep climbs, and off-road situations.
1. **Flat Highway Performance**: During highway towing assessments, the Passport TrailSport displayed outstanding stability and power delivery. The engine sustained its performance without notable strain, facilitating smooth acceleration and merging with traffic. The 9-speed transmission adeptly managed gear shifts, assuring optimal power was available when necessary.
2. **Steep Hills**: When faced with steep inclines, the Passport TrailSport performed exceptionally well. The V6 engine provided ample torque to pull the load without excessive downshifting, and the AWD system contributed to maintaining traction. The vehicle’s braking system also demonstrated effectiveness, enabling controlled descents while towing.
3. **Off-Road Functionality**: The TrailSport variant is fitted with features tailored for off-road adventures, including elevated ground clearance and specialized tires. During off-road towing evaluations, the Passport navigated rocky and uneven terrain while upholding stability. The AWD system’s capability to distribute power efficiently aided in overcoming obstacles without losing momentum.
**Safety and Technology Features**
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is outfitted with a range of safety and technological features that enhance towing performance. The Honda Sensing suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking, which can be especially advantageous when towing. Additionally, the Passport is equipped with a rearview camera with guidelines, simplifying the process of hitching trailers and maneuvering in tight spots.
**Conclusion**
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport distinguishes itself as a competent SUV with a respectable towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Its powerful engine, advanced AWD system, and robust safety features make it an outstanding choice for those needing towing capability without compromising comfort and performance. Whether for weekend getaways or everyday driving, the Passport TrailSport proves to be a versatile and dependable option for adventure enthusiasts.