Automotive
Honda is wasting little time making the latest Passport TrailSport even more capable. Although the current-generation Passport is still relatively fresh, the 2027 TrailSport is already getting a meaningful round of upgrades aimed at improving its off-road credentials. According to Car and Driver, Honda has raised the TrailSport by 1.38 inches, giving it 9.7 inches of ground clearance and putting the rugged two-row SUV even closer to vehicles such as the Toyota 4Runner when the pavement ends. Considering TrailSport models reportedly account for more than 80 percent of Passport sales, Honda clearly knows where buyers are putting their money.
This is more involved than simply fitting taller springs and calling it a day. Honda says roughly 70 percent of the TrailSport’s suspension has been redesigned to accommodate the increased ride height while preserving the comfortable road manners that make the Passport so easy to live with. The changes include new springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars, along with revisions to the front subframe and driveshafts to maintain proper suspension and driveline geometry. The lift also improves the SUV’s approach and departure angles by about two degrees each, while the breakover angle improves by roughly three degrees.
With 9.7 inches of ground clearance, the 2027 Passport TrailSport should have an easier time dealing with rocks, ruts, washed-out trails, and other obstacles that owners might encounter on weekend adventures. Honda is even pointing out that the new figure exceeds the ground clearance of the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road, although the two SUVs take very different engineering approaches. The 4Runner retains the traditional hardware many serious off-road enthusiasts expect, while the Passport remains a unibody SUV with independent suspension. That difference also helps explain the Honda’s appeal, since it can offer more trail capability without giving up the composed everyday driving experience crossover buyers appreciate.
Honda has also given the 2027 TrailSport a few visual changes to match its newfound height. More pronounced fender flares add some extra muscle to the exterior, while two amber LED lights integrated into the low-profile hood scoop give the front end a distinctive look. The lighting treatment might bring some much larger high-performance trucks to mind, but the Passport remains considerably more understated. Honda is also making the TrailWatch camera system and heated steering wheel standard across the TrailSport lineup instead of reserving them for the TrailSport Elite. A new Smoke Blue Pearl exterior color replaces Obsidian Blue Pearl for 2027.
These changes suggest Honda understands exactly why the Passport TrailSport has caught on. Buyers want an SUV that looks ready for a remote campsite and has enough genuine capability to reach one, but they do not necessarily want the compromises that often come with a traditional body-on-frame off-roader. The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport pushes that formula further with more clearance, improved trail geometry, and extensively reworked suspension hardware while retaining the refinement that has become one of the Passport’s strongest qualities. It may not suddenly become a rock-crawling specialist, but Honda is steadily transforming the TrailSport into a much more credible alternative for drivers who want everyday comfort with a legitimate adventurous side.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
