---
title: "2026 Honda Passport & TrailSport Review: V6 Power & Lease Deals"
description: "Discover the 2026 Honda Passport and TrailSport. Review naturally aspirated 280-hp V6 power, i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD, rugged styling, and zero-down lease deals."
canonical: "https://www.capitalmotorcars.com/honda-passport-lease-deals-and-reliability-review"
author: "Christopher Amico"
published: "2026-10-14T09:00:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-16T12:00:00+00:00"
---

# 2026 Honda Passport & TrailSport Review: V6 Power & Lease Deals

> **Quick Summary & Key Takeaways:** Discover the 2026 Honda Passport and TrailSport. Review naturally aspirated 280-hp V6 power, i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD, rugged styling, and zero-down lease deals.

In an era where many automakers have downsized to tiny turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the **2026 Honda Passport** stands out as a triumph of proven mechanical engineering. Offering standard 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 power, rugged styling, cavernous two-row passenger accommodations, and one of the most sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems on the market, the Passport is the quintessential adventure-ready midsize crossover.

At Capital Motor Cars, our auto broker team specializes in sourcing brand-new Honda inventory across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Whether you need a daily family workhorse for snowy suburban winters or a TrailSport edition for weekend off-grid camping, our wholesale broker relationships secure unbeatable monthly lease payments and true doorstep delivery.

## Proven Powertrain: Naturally Aspirated 3.5-Liter i-VTEC V6

While competitor turbo engines experience lag and long-term thermal fatigue, the Honda Passport features Honda's legendary **3.5-liter direct-injected 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC V6 engine**.

### Powertrain Highlights:
- **Consistent Power Delivery:** Produces **280 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 RPM**, delivering smooth, linear acceleration across the entire powerband.
- **9-Speed Automatic Transmission:** Features paddle shifters and aggressive shift programming, providing crisp gear transitions and seamless highway cruising.
- **5,000-Pound Towing Capacity:** Standard on all AWD models, allowing you to easily tow boats, pop-up campers, or enclosed utility trailers with complete peace of mind.
- **Variable Cylinder Management (VCM):** Automatically deactivates three of the six cylinders under light-load highway cruising to optimize fuel economy without driver intervention.

## Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD

The secret weapon of the Honda Passport is its mechanical all-wheel-drive system: **i-VTM4**. Unlike reactive slip-and-grip AWD platforms that wait for front tires to spin before routing torque rearward, i-VTM4 is proactive and continuously active.

### How Torque Vectoring Works:
- **Rear Torque Bias:** Can direct up to 70% of total engine torque to the rear wheels during heavy acceleration or slick conditions.
- **Individual Wheel Vectoring:** The dual-clutch rear differential can send **100% of that rearward torque to either the left or right rear wheel**. When taking tight corners, the system overdrives the outside rear wheel, actively pivoting the vehicle through turns and eliminating understeer.
- **Intelligent Traction Management:** Features dedicated push-button selectable drive modes for **Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand**, optimizing throttle mapping and brake intervention.

## TrailSport Edition: Serious Off-Road Capability

For drivers wanting to explore off-pavement trails, the **Passport TrailSport** elevates capability with genuine off-road hardware:
- **Tuned Off-Road Suspension:** Specifically calibrated spring rates and stabilizer bars provide enhanced articulation and wheel travel over rock washouts.
- **All-Terrain Tires:** Robust 18-inch wheels wrapped in knobby General Grabber A/Tx all-terrain rubber deliver biting grip in mud, sand, and gravel.
- **Underbody Protection & Recovery Points:** Functional roof rails, increased approach/departure angles, and protective steel skid plates defend vital mechanical components.
- **Interior Utility:** All-weather rubber floor mats, high-contrast orange stitching, and power-folding side mirrors make trail navigation effortless.

## Financial Comparison: Midsize Rugged SUV Lease Comparison

| Vehicle Model | 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo | 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Base Engine** | 3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 2.4L Turbo Boxer 4-Cylinder |
| **Horsepower / Torque** | 280 hp / 262 lb-ft | 293 hp / 260 lb-ft | 260 hp / 277 lb-ft |
| **Towing Capacity** | **5,000 lbs** | 6,200 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| **All-Wheel-Drive Tech** | True Mechanical Torque Vectoring (i-VTM4) | Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed) | Symmetrical AWD with X-MODE |
| **Max Cargo Behind Row 2** | **41.2 cubic feet** | 37.7 cubic feet | 32.6 cubic feet |
| **Typical 36-Mo Lease Payment** | **$449 - $499 / mo** | $529 - $599 / mo | $469 - $519 / mo |

Thanks to Honda's unmatched resale retention and captive finance residuals, leasing a Honda Passport through Capital Motor Cars delivers outstanding long-term equity and low monthly lease payments.

## 10 Rules for Leasing a Honda Passport in NJ & NY

1. **Prioritize i-VTM4 Torque Vectoring:** Avoid single-axle crossovers when Northeast winter storms demand Honda's dual-clutch rear torque transfer.
2. **Take Advantage of $0 Down Payment:** Preserve your capital by rolling upfront taxes and dealer fees into fixed, predictable monthly payments.
3. **Verify Residual Rates:** Honda vehicles consistently retain among the highest residual percentages in the industry, which translates directly into lower monthly payments.
4. **Choose 36-Month Lease Duration:** Keep your vehicle fully covered under Honda's 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty for zero out-of-pocket repair costs.
5. **Inspect Cargo Utility:** With over 41 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row, the Passport offers more storage than many 3-row SUVs with their third rows folded down.
6. **Utilize Broker Wholesale Access:** Let Capital Motor Cars bypass local dealer showroom quotas to find the exact exterior color and trim package you want.
7. **Rotate All-Terrain Tires Regularly:** Rotate all-terrain tires every 5,000 miles to ensure uniform tread wear and preserve off-road traction.
8. **Appraise Your Trade-In:** Capital Motor Cars handles full lease returns and equity buyouts, turning your current vehicle into instant lease credits or cash.
9. **Opt for Honda Sensing Standard:** Enjoy Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, and Lane Keeping Assist on every trim without paying extra option package fees.
10. **Experience White-Glove Delivery:** Relax at home while our concierge team delivers your new Honda Passport straight to your driveway.

## Start Your Adventure with Capital Motor Cars

Ready to get behind the wheel of a dependable, V6-powered Honda Passport? Skip the traditional showroom hassle and work with the premier auto broker in the Northeast. Contact Capital Motor Cars today for an instant, transparent quote!

### Frequently Asked Questions

### Does the 2026 Honda Passport have a third row?
No, the Honda Passport is specifically designed as a spacious 2-row midsize SUV with seating for 5 passengers and a massive 41.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space. If you need 7 or 8 seats, the Honda Pilot is Honda's 3-row alternative.

### How much weight can the 2026 Honda Passport tow?
All all-wheel-drive Honda Passport models come rated to tow up to **5,000 pounds**, easily handling boats, utility trailers, and camping gear.

### Can I lease a 2026 Honda Passport with zero down payment?
Yes! Capital Motor Cars specializes in structuring true zero-down leases with no money down, rolling all acquisition and dealer fees into low monthly payments.

> **Browse top midsize SUV specials:** Check out our latest [SUV lease deals in New Jersey](/car-lease-deals-new-jersey) with $0 down payment options.

> **Plan your budget:** Use our [auto lease payment calculator](/lease-calculator) to evaluate monthly payment terms.

> **Speak with a Honda specialist:** Reach out to our [auto leasing concierge team](/contact) to reserve your 2026 Passport today.

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*Published by [Capital Motor Cars](https://www.capitalmotorcars.com) - 251 Morris Ave, Springfield Township, NJ 07081. Phone: (201) 509-5555*