2027 Honda Passport TrailSport Adds Ground Clearance and Easier Off-Roading

The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport’s biggest changes sit underneath its familiar shape. A suspension revised in 70% of its components, more ground clearance and standard trail cameras make Honda’s midsize crossover easier to drive over difficult terrain. After comparing it with the 2026 model on technical trails, I found the upgrade made a clear difference off road, even though the powertrain and everyday driving feel are much the same.

More clearance, modest styling changes

Honda has raised the TrailSport by 1.38 inches, bringing total ground clearance to 9.65 inches. The change adds 2 degrees to both the approach and departure angles and 3 degrees to the breakover angle. Wheel articulation also increases by 8 mm at the front and 9 mm at the rear, helping the 275/60R18 General Grabber All-Terrain tires stay in contact with uneven ground.

Outside, the 2027 model gets amber strips in the hood scoop, a slightly revised front fascia and more pronounced fender flares. The lighting strips are decorative; a Honda spokesperson said they were added because they “look cool.” Otherwise, the TrailSport’s appearance changes little from the previous model year.

Honda says the suspension revisions improve on-road comfort, too. Driving the 2026 and 2027 models back to back, I noticed little difference on pavement. The payoff shows up when the route gets rough: the higher ride height and revised geometry give the newer SUV more room to clear obstacles.

Trail cameras and familiar cabin tech

The cabin remains a comfortable, slightly utilitarian space with room for five adults. Its 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen carry over, as do physical controls for the climate system. Honda adds a standard trail camera and heated steering wheel to the TrailSport for 2027. The front-facing camera, mounted in the bumper, is particularly useful when the tall hood makes it hard to see the ground ahead. The camera view helps with placement, though it can make the terrain look less defined.

Owners of the 2026 TrailSport can’t order a direct upgrade package, Honda says. The company didn’t provide an off-the-shelf route to fit the 2027 changes to an earlier model.

Clear gains on technical terrain

At Overland Expert’s 200-acre campus in Troy, North Carolina, I drove both model years across an obstacle course. The 2026 could handle the same route, but it needed more care and scraped more often. The 2027’s added clearance made uneven sections easier to cross, while the cameras helped show where to place the wheels. Honda says its ground clearance exceeds that of the Subaru Outback Wilderness and Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road.

The Passport’s all-wheel-drive system also helps make challenging sections feel manageable. A modified version of Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, it uses two clutches to control the rear wheels rather than a rear differential. Those clutches can direct up to 70% of engine torque to the rear. In Trail mode, steady throttle was often enough to let the system work through obstacles without much drama.

That ease is a defining strength for drivers who want to try more demanding trails without a highly specialized off-roader. The vehicle was tested after a day of classroom instruction in technical driving and recovery, so that experience shaped the drive. Still, the Passport’s ability to make difficult sections approachable stood out. The reviewer recommends the optional $865 rock sliders for rougher use.

Powertrain and prices carry over

The 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 remains unchanged, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. EPA fuel economy is listed at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Those figures, and the engine’s less modern feel beside turbocharged rivals, are the main compromises in a package that otherwise gains useful trail hardware.

For 2027, the Passport RTL starts at $46,790, including destination. The TrailSport costs $51,590, while the TrailSport Elite is priced at $55,745. Honda says TrailSport models account for 80% of Passport sales, and half of those TrailSports are the Elite trim. The base RTL continues with few changes.

The TrailSport already had a capable starting point; the 2027 revisions make its limits harder to reach on difficult ground. Buyers cross-shopping for a more serious trail vehicle may still want to compare dedicated off-road models, but the Passport’s mix of family space, familiar cabin controls and forgiving trail behavior gives newcomers a confidence-inspiring entry point. Its V6 economy is the clearest everyday trade-off, while the extra clearance and cameras are the upgrades drivers are most likely to notice.