Car buyers love the appearance of legitimate off-road capabilities, even if the roughest terrain they’ll ever tackle comes in the school drop-off line. That’s why we see “soft-road” SUVs from nearly every major brand, with the Honda Passport TrailSport and Ford Explorer Tremor both popular recent arrivals.
Honda redesigned the Passport for 2026, giving it a boxier shape and a more muscular look. The TrailSport has a slightly taller ride height, all-terrain tires, and exclusive styling touches, like orange contrast stitching and unique badges. It is otherwise identical to other Passport variants, sporting the same engine and many of the same interior features.
The Tremor is a new addition to the aging Explorer line, which was last fully redesigned for 2020, though Ford gave it a mild glow-up in 2025. It offers a one-inch suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and improved approach/departure angles, but it’s not a beefy off-roader like the Bronco and some Ranger trims. It is far more customizable than the Passport, with an available upgraded powertrain and more standalone options, but those improvements can drive the price up in a hurry.
Which one is best for you? Unfortunately, the answer, like many things in life, is that it depends. These two SUVs are extremely closely matched, offering many of the same features and similar interior space, but there are some key differences you should be aware of before you start your shopping journey.
Here’s how they stack up against each other.
Honda stuck with its widely used 3.5-liter V6 engine for the 2026 Passport, which offers 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and the brand’s excellent i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. The system also features Trail Torque, which helps distribute power and torque between the wheels and can move it to the rear wheel.
A standard V6 gives the Passport ample power and a healthy sound, but it doesn’t deliver thrilling performance. Acceleration is decent, but the power fizzles a bit at higher speeds, and it can take some time and effort to pass on the highway. That said, the Passport TrailSport’s off-road suspension system and beefier all-terrain tires provide a surprisingly smooth ride, and it’s more than capable enough to take you well off the beaten path.
The 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor comes standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, but the automaker offers a significantly more powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The four-cylinder provides 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivers an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. While the four-cylinder can be loud and unrefined at times, it’s more potent than Honda’s V6, and it provides solid acceleration and good torque for tackling mild terrain. The V6 is a real gem, giving the Explorer a sporty feel and surprising performance. That said, it requires the Tremor Ultimate Package, which adds nearly $12,000 to the Explorer’s price.
With that out of the way, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. All-terrain tires and upgraded suspension make both SUVs more capable than their more pedestrian counterparts, but they don’t offer anywhere near the ruggedness of the Ford Bronco or the competing Toyota 4Runner. Despite that, both are smooth and comfortable enough on the road to be daily drivers, and they can tow up to 5,000 pounds, enough to pull a small boat or cargo trailer.
The 2026 Passport TrailSport comes with a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, Amazon Alexa functionality, Google built-in, wireless charging, and more. Honda’s infotainment system is much-improved over earlier versions, offering a responsive, easy-to-use interface. The screen is bright and easy to reach for both front passengers, and it maintains good visibility, even in direct sunlight. While the 12.3-inch display is far wider than it is tall, Honda maintained physical controls for the climate system and a volume knob, making quick adjustments much easier than digging through the touchscreen for every setting.
The Explorer has a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google features, and more. The display is bright, and the larger size will be appealing to some buyers. It’s a responsive display, and Ford’s Sync infotainment system is easy to navigate in most situations. That said, many of the most commonly used controls are built into the screen, including some climate settings, which can take some time to learn. They can also be confusing while driving, with the lack of a physical button making it hard to find and make quick changes.
While it’s built to look rugged, the Passport’s interior is nicer than expected. It features perforated leather upholstery and heated front seats, with ventilated seats available in the upper-level Elite variant. The front seats are wide, deep, and nicely supportive, and there’s good padding to keep everyone comfy on rougher roads. Legroom is generous across both rows, though the back seats aren’t as supportive or as well-padded as the front. That said, the Passport’s boxier shape provides good rear headroom, making it more accommodating for taller adults. Cargo space is also solid, with 44 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 83.8 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. Buyers seeking a third-row seat will need to step up to the larger Pilot.
The Explorer comes with a third-row seat, and Miko Suede and perforated synthetic leather are standard. Heated and ventilated seats are also standard, and the Ford’s front seats are very comfortable. Like the Honda, the Explorer’s rear seats are not as supportive, lacking the shape and padding of the front buckets. It’s reasonably comfortable for adults in the rear seat, with decent legroom and good headroom. Cargo space is slightly better than the Passports, at 46 cubic feet behind the second row and 85.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport starts at $48,650, and the up-level Elite model costs $52,650. The 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor starts at $48,465, and it can quickly become far more expensive with the upgraded powertrain and some options. While the two are exceptionally closely matched, the Explorer is the only option for people who need a third-row seat. At the same time, the Honda is slightly more comfortable inside and can be cheaper with upgrades, though all of them lack the grunt of the Ford’s available V6 engine. In terms of reliability, the Honda far exceeds the expected durability of the Ford, and The Blue Oval is the most-recalled automaker, greatly increasing the chances of the Explorer returning to the dealer for work.
