Is the 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport Off-Road Ready for the Wilderness?
The 2022 Honda Passport has been given a complete refresh, complete with a new look. The biggest news, however, is the all-new TrailSport off-road-focused model. Every variant of the Honda Passport is getting a new look for this model year, but is the TrailSport ready to head into the wilderness? There’s plenty of new competition in the off-road SUV segment this model year, so the Honda Passport TrailSport better be up to the challenge.
2022 Honda Passport Trailsport
The TrailSport trim of the Honda Passport brings a few unique changes from the standard Passport models. The new TrailSport model receives a unique grille design, big and bulky bumpers, and TrailSport badges scattered wherever you look. Orange contrast stitching, TrailSport logos, and amber lighting appear throughout the interior. Its 18inch wheels come with unique TrailSport tires that sit under the track widened by 0.4 inches. The wider track and bigger wheels allow the Passport TrailSport to traverse terrain the standard Passport simply can’t. Honda’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management systems allow it to more easily head off the road.
The all-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management systems come standard on the Passport’s TrailSport and Elite trims. The features can also be added optionally to the EX-L. Honda plans to release an entire lineup of TrailSport-trimmed models, and the Ridgeline will likely be next. Stepping into the off-road SUV and pickup segment in 2022, we look forward to what Honda adds to its off-road trims next.
2022 Passport changes
The TrailSport is a great new trim level and is very interesting for those who want to drive through the wilderness. What about those who don’t? The 2022 Honda Passport received a complete refresh to its interior and exterior, as well as added some serious new features. All models are fitted with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the previous year, making 280 horsepower. Though the engine hasn’t changed, a lot of other things have.
The 2022 Passport gets new wheels, more standard safety tech, and a redesigned front fascia. The front of the vehicle now has a “tough” look similar to that of the Ridgeline pickup truck. There’s also an HPD accessories package that affects the look of the Passport. It adds black fender flares and HPD graphics, plus changes the grille and wheel designs. All trims now have an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. The entire infotainment system is standard throughout all trim levels, which is a nice touch, especially for those cheaper models. All models also have 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and the EX-L and Elite trims get a new 20-inch wheel design.
What’s next for the TrailSport trim?
As we mentioned, the most likely next candidate to join the TrailSport lineup is the Honda Ridgeline. Honda noted to Car and Driver that the future could bring bigger upgrades to all TrailSports. We hope for a small lift from standard models for that extra ground clearance, larger wheels and tires, and an improved suspension. The Passport TrailSport looks to compete with the Ford Explorer Timberline, Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, and more. Subaru, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and more have all announced new off-road-focused trims for the new model year.
The Honda Passport received plenty of welcomed changes for the new 2022 model year. The most important one is the brand new TrailSport trim level, allowing Passport owners to travel off-road. We hope more off-road-focused features will come to the TrailSport lineup in the future. It’s likely the Honda pickup truck, the Ridgeline gets a TrailSport variant for 2022 as well. Both of which should be available closer to the end of the year.
