Honda Passport 2025 or 2026: which fits Panama City drivers?
The 2026 Honda Passport fits most Panama City drivers: it is the all-new fourth generation, with more room and newer technology than the 2025. The 2025 Passport fits the buyer who wants the previous generation at a lower starting price. Group 1 Honda Panama City sells the Passport, so a Bay County driver can compare both on one lot.
Panama City shoppers weigh the two years against daily commutes, beach trips and trail use. The gaps that matter most are power, room, price and off-road gear.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Panama City. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Who should buy the 2026 Honda Passport, and who should buy the 2025?
Most Panama City buyers should choose the 2026, because it is the all-new fourth generation with more power, more cargo room and newer technology. The 2025 suits a buyer who wants the previous generation and a lower starting price. The 2026 starts at $44,950 for the RTL (Honda, 2026).
A buyer who wants the latest screen, the newer transmission and the standard Honda Sensing with the new front passenger airbag should choose the 2026. A buyer who keeps a tight budget and does not need the newest screen can take the 2025 and still get five seats.
What changes in power and drive modes from the 2025 to the 2026 Passport?
The 2026 makes 285 hp (Honda, 2026), and the 2025 makes 280 hp (Honda USA, 2025). Torque stays at 262 lb-ft in both years, so the power gain is small, and the case for the new model rests more on its transmission and drive modes.
The 2026 pairs its V6 with a 10-speed automatic, with paddle shifters on every trim, where the 2025 uses a 9-speed. Its all-wheel drive is the second-generation i-VTM4, and the drive modes are Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Tow, Trail and Sand. Trail mode adjusts throttle and shift timing for low-speed trails, and Sand mode is set for dunes and beach driving.
How much more room and tech does the 2026 Honda Passport have?
The 2026 holds 104.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo (Honda, 2026), up from 100.8 on the 2025 (Honda USA, 2025). Second-row legroom is 40.9 inches, up from 39.6 on the 2025, and first-row legroom is 41.1 inches against 40.9. The wheelbase grows from 110.9 inches on the 2025 (Car and Driver, 2025) to 113.6 inches on the 2026 (Honda, 2025).
The 2026 has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital driver display. The 2025 comes with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard. A driver who uses a phone map, music and voice commands every day will notice that gap first.
What does the 2026 Honda Passport cost compared with the 2025?
The 2025 starts lower. Its EX-L AWD started at $42,400 before tax, license, registration, the $1,450 destination charge and options (Honda Newsroom, 2025).
The 2026 range climbs from the RTL to the TrailSport Elite Blackout at $53,850. Group 1 Honda Panama City sells new Passports and offers a secure online finance application, so a buyer can run the numbers on either year before visiting.
Which Passport year suits Bay County commutes and beach or trail trips?
For a daily commute, the two years do the same job, so the choice turns on weekends. Workers living in Panama City average 21.4 minutes of travel time to work (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates), so most daily driving is short.
Trail and beach trips point to the 2026 TrailSport. It adds standard heavy-duty orange recovery points, steel skid plates, 275/60R18 all-terrain tires and a trailer hitch rated for 5,000 pounds. Ground clearance on the 2026 TrailSport is 8.3 inches (Honda, 2024), against 8.1 inches on the 2025 (Honda USA, 2024). For a buyer whose weekends mean sand and trails, the 2026 TrailSport is the Passport to pick.
2025 and 2026 Honda Passport specs side by side for Panama City buyers
The 2026 leads on power, transmission, cargo and legroom. The 2025 starts at the lower price.
| Spec | 2025 Passport | 2026 Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $42,400 (EX-L AWD) | $44,950 (RTL) |
| Horsepower | 280 hp | 285 hp |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Max cargo | 100.8 cu ft | 104.6 cu ft |
| Row 1 legroom | 40.9 in | 41.1 in |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
When is the 2026 or the 2025 Honda Passport the wrong choice?
The 2026 is the wrong choice for a buyer who needs the lowest starting price above all, because the 2025 starts lower. The 2025 is the wrong choice for a buyer who wants the 12.3-inch screen or the 10-speed transmission, since the 2025 comes with an 8-inch screen and a 9-speed.
A buyer who wants the off-road gear should choose a TrailSport trim, since the recovery points and skid plates come with that trim rather than the RTL.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the 2025 and 2026 Honda Passport tow?
Both years are rated to tow 5,000 lbs. The 2026 rating holds on every trim, as Honda publishes it (Honda, 2026), and the 2025 carries the same rating.
What gas mileage do the 2025 and 2026 Honda Passport get?
The 2026 AWD is rated 19 mpg city, 25 highway and 21 combined (EPA, 2026), and the 2025 AWD is rated 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined (EPA, 2025).
What trims does the 2026 Honda Passport come in?
The 2026 Passport comes in seven trims. They are the RTL, RTL Towing and RTL Blackout, then the TrailSport, TrailSport Blackout, TrailSport Elite and TrailSport Elite Blackout.
Does the 2026 Honda Passport seat more people than the 2025?
No. Both years seat five people in every trim. The 2026 adds room through more cargo space and second-row legroom rather than through a bigger seat count.
Does the 2026 Honda Passport have a different warranty from the 2025?
No, the warranty terms match across the two years. The 2026 carries a 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty (Honda, 2026), and the 2025 carries the same terms, with corrosion coverage of 5 years and no mileage limit.
How does a certified pre-owned Passport compare with a new one?
A certified pre-owned Passport from us comes with its own Honda-backed coverage. Our certified vehicles carry an extended powertrain limited warranty and a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty backed by Honda, and each comes with a free vehicle history report. A new Passport carries Honda’s factory warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles basic and 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain (Honda, 2026).
How Group 1 Honda Panama City lets you buy a new Passport online
Choosing a Passport year comes down to what the new model adds and what it costs, and we sell the new Passport at Group 1 Honda Panama City. Customers rate us 4.6 stars across 3,412 Google reviews, and 83 in 100 of those reviews are five-star.
In a July 2026 Google review, Jennie R. wrote: “I leased my CRV with Matthew Tomasello and it was a great experience. He’s straightforward, honest, and answered every question I had without making me feel rushed. He has a great personality too which made the process actually enjoyable. I highly recommend Matthew!” Through AcceleRide, a buyer can find a new vehicle, purchase it online and have it delivered, and we buy vehicles outright, not only as trade-ins.
Start at Group 1 Honda Panama City, 3601 E 15th St, Panama City, FL 32404, with the Passport trim you want to compare.
Group 1 Honda Panama City sells the Passport that fits your budget and your weekends, whichever year you choose. Start with our secure online finance application, then bring your list of trims.
Group 1 Honda Panama City answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Panama City showroom, or call (850) 763-5495.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Honda Panama City for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
