Honda Wants TrailSport to Be More Than a Styling Package
Honda launched its first TrailSport model in 2021 with the Passport. Since then, the badge has shown up on more Hondas, adding features like chunkier tires, rugged trim, and outdoor-inspired colors for a more adventurous look.
But that dress-up game is about to get a serious overhaul. Honda’s TrailSport crew says the days of just slapping on some rugged bits are numbered. Instead, future TrailSport models are set to get real engineering upgrades aimed at making them actually useful when the pavement ends, led by the 2027 Passport TrailSport.
Honda
Honda’s TrailSport Team Has Real Off-Road Credentials
This change is being pushed by a handful of Honda engineers and product planners who actually live and breathe off-roading. According to MotorTrend, these folks have garages full of classic off-roaders – some heavily modified for extra trail cred. A few even have International Four Wheel Drive Training Association certifications, and they’ve racked up miles on trails from North America to Japan.
That experience is important, because building a true off-roader requires more than just adding bigger tires and plastic protection. Suspension geometry, ground clearance, traction systems, recovery gear, and the software that controls everything all determine whether your SUV can handle tough terrain or just look rugged in a parking lot.
Of course, the team still has to sell the idea to the higher-ups. Honda’s engineers are busy convincing the execs back in Japan that going all-in on off-road hardware could give the brand a real boost – especially in the US, where trail-ready SUVs are practically a rite of passage.
Electrification could also be part of the plan. Honda is developing a V6-based hybrid system for its larger vehicles, and the electric power could provide instant torque when needed, such as when climbing over rocks or going up a steep hill.
Honda
Future TrailSport Models
The next-generation Honda CR-V, which will likely be revealed next year, is likely to receive the tougher TrailSport upgrades. The Ridgeline is also expected to get a new version in 2028. Honda may use suspension parts from the Passport, following its usual parts-sharing approach. The Pilot could also be included, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Acura could collect strays, too, with the premium arm recently confirming its move to introduce a rugged model.
Meanwhile, Honda and Mitsubishi are working together on a Honda-branded pickup based on the Mitsubishi Triton’s ladder frame, with sales starting in ASEAN markets in 2028. This could give Honda a true pickup in a region where traditional body-on-frame trucks are still very popular. However, there is no information yet about a TrailSport version of this model, though we’re seeing it as a potential application of this newfound TrailSport direction.
Acura
About the author
Jacob Oliva
Senior Editor, Autoblog