Henry's notebook | June 21, 2026

Honda Passport in Vaughan: where it fits in SUV shopping

The Passport sits in an unusual spot in Honda's SUV lineup — bigger than the CR-V, smaller than the Pilot, two rows instead of three. For Vaughan buyers trying to figure out which Honda SUV actually fits, here is what the Passport does well, what it doesn't, and who it is right for.

By Henry Chen Maple Honda | Vaughan Published 2026-06-21 2026 model-year figures

If you are shopping Honda SUVs in Vaughan, the Passport is the model that gets asked about the least and probably should be asked about more. It is bigger than the volume-seller CR-V but smaller than the three-row Pilot, and it runs the only V6 still offered in a Honda SUV outside the Ridgeline. For the right buyer, it is exactly the right size.

Where the Passport sits in Honda's SUV lineup

Honda currently sells five SUVs in Canada, and they stack up roughly by size and seat count:

The simplest way to think about the Passport: it is essentially a two-row Pilot. Same general size, same V6, but the third row is removed in favour of more cargo space behind the second row. For a Vaughan buyer who does not need three rows but wants more space than the CR-V offers, the Passport is the obvious fit.

Size and what you actually get

Dimensions on the 2026 Passport, side by side with the CR-V for context:

Honda CR-VHonda Passport
Length4,895 mm4,971 mm
Wheelbase2,700 mm2,817 mm
Width1,866 mm1,995 mm
Height1,690 mm1,835 mm

The Passport is 76 mm longer overall with 117 mm more wheelbase — that translates directly to rear-seat legroom and a noticeably bigger cargo hold. Passport cargo behind the second row is about 1,134 L; with the seats folded flat it is roughly 2,449 L. That is meaningfully more than the CR-V (already generous) and roughly Pilot-with-third-row-folded territory.

In real Vaughan life, that is two car seats in the back, a stroller in the cargo area, room for a Costco run, and skis or a bicycle fitting diagonally without folding anything. The Passport is the two-row Honda that genuinely swallows family cargo.

Powertrain and capability

Every 2026 Passport runs the same 3.5-litre V6 — the only V6 still offered in a Honda SUV outside the Ridgeline. Output is 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic and Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD as standard equipment on every trim.

Towing capacity is class-competitive for the segment:

For Vaughan buyers who tow — boats out to Georgian Bay, trailers to the cottage, ATVs up north — the Passport is the only two-row Honda SUV rated for serious towing. The CR-V is rated at 1,500 lb, which handles a small utility trailer but not a boat.

The V6 is the differentiator

Most of Honda's SUV lineup is moving to four-cylinder turbo or hybrid powertrains. The Passport is one of the last Hondas you can still buy with a V6 — and that is the whole reason it exists. If you want a smooth, torquey V6 in a family-sized SUV without going to the Ridgeline, the Passport is the play.

Trims at a glance

The 2026 Passport comes in three core trims plus the Black Edition appearance package:

If you do not need the TrailSport's off-road hardware, the Sport is the value pick. If you want the size and the comfort but not the rugged look, the Touring is the right call. TrailSport is for buyers who genuinely use it.

Who the Passport is right for

The Passport fits a specific Vaughan buyer. You probably want the Passport if:

You probably want the Pilot instead if you genuinely need three rows. You probably want the CR-V instead if the Passport's footprint feels too big for your parking situation or your fuel budget. The HR-V is the value play below both.

Common questions, Vaughan edition

Is the Honda Passport bigger than the CR-V?

Yes. The Passport is 4,971 mm long with a 2,817 mm wheelbase. The CR-V is 4,895 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. The Passport is roughly 76 mm longer overall and 117 mm longer between the wheels, which translates to noticeably more rear-seat legroom and cargo space.

Can the Honda Passport tow?

Yes. Sport and Touring trims are rated at 3,500 lb. The TrailSport trim, with its trail-rated hardware, is rated at 5,000 lb. That covers most boat, camper, and utility trailers a Vaughan buyer would realistically tow.

Is the Honda Passport replacing the Pilot?

No. The Passport and Pilot are sold side by side. The Passport is the two-row version — five seats, more cargo. The Pilot is the three-row version — seven or eight seats. They share the same V6 and 10-speed automatic but are tuned for different buyer needs.

What is the difference between the Passport Sport and TrailSport?

Sport is the volume trim — cloth seats, 19-inch wheels, full Honda Sensing safety suite. TrailSport is the off-road focused trim — all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, the 5,000 lb tow package, and tougher suspension tuning. TrailSport is for buyers who actually use the Passport for what it can do.

Should I get the Passport or the Pilot?

Passport if you do not need a third row and want the largest two-row cargo hold Honda sells. Pilot if you genuinely need seven or eight seats. Both are mid-size, both run the V6, both come with AWD standard. The Pilot is roughly 360 mm longer overall.

Want to see the Passport in person?

Come by Maple Honda at 89 Auto Vaughan Drive in Maple, or call Henry to set up a side-by-side comparison with the CR-V or Pilot.