2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Honda Passport Review
Honda of Vallejo presents a comparison: 2026 Honda CR-V vs Passport
Honda continues to hold its place as one of America’s most trusted makers of compact SUVs, delivering the perfect mix of reliability, spacious comfort, and exceptional value for families across Benicia, American Canyon, Napa, and Fairfield. The 2026 Honda CR-V and the 2026 Honda Passport are clear examples, with both vehicles exemplifying a legacy of robust build quality, impressive fuel efficiency, a smooth ride, and top-tier safety ratings. For nearly three decades, the CR-V has been a best-seller, and this most recent iteration showcases sleek, athletic styling, a roomy and refined cabin, and an upgraded tech suite that includes a responsive infotainment system, enhanced connectivity, and standard Honda Sensing safety features on every trim. Whether you’re navigating daily commutes or taking weekend trips to the coast or the mountains, the 2026 Honda CR-V offers a composed, confident driving experience. For eco-conscious drivers, the 2026 CR-V Hybrid is a standout, delivering up to 40 mpg combined and a robust 204-horsepower total system output. If you are looking for something a little more robust, the 2026 Honda Passport offers a larger footprint, more powerful V6 performance, and increased towing capability, making it better suited for drivers who need extra muscle for outdoor adventures or hauling. While the CR-V Hybrid wins in fuel economy and nimble handling, the Passport delivers more off-road readiness and cargo volume—two distinct personalities for two different types of Honda SUV buyers. Honda of Vallejo invites you to join us as we review both SUVs, and compare the differences in engine specs, interior highlights, fuel economy, and trim offerings.
Engine Specs and Fuel Efficiency Ratings
Starting off with the smaller 2026 Honda CR-V, gas-powered models like the LX, EX, and EX-L, feature a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a smooth CVT, offering confident acceleration and refined handling. Available Real Time AWD and a 3-mode drive system (Normal, Snow, ECON) provide added traction and adaptability for varying road conditions. Ready to go green? The Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid pair a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors for a total of 204 horsepower, delivering responsive performance and exceptional efficiency. The Sport Touring Hybrid includes standard Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control and a 4-mode drive system (Normal, ECON, Snow, Sport) for enhanced versatility. Fuel economy is a standout, with gas models reaching up to 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway and the Sport Hybrid FWD achieving an impressive 43 mpg city/36 mpg highway.
Moving up to the 2026 Honda Passport, this larger and more adventure-ready SUV stands out with its dependable 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a refined 10-speed automatic transmission, it delivers strong acceleration, smooth highway passing, and confident handling. Every Passport comes standard with Honda’s torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, enhancing grip and stability on everything from wet pavement to rugged backroads. Fuel economy remains competitive at an estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, while the off-road-focused TrailSport trim adds an upgraded suspension, all-terrain tires, and extra ground clearance for tackling rougher terrain. With a 5,000-pound towing capacity, the Passport is equally at home towing boats, trailers, or campers for your next adventure.
Interior Highlights
At Honda of Vallejo, we’re excited to showcase the 2026 Honda CR-V’s interior, which blends modern design, smart tech, and everyday versatility. A wide, horizontal dashboard with sleek hidden air vents creates a clean, upscale look, while the center console keeps essential controls within easy reach. Premium materials, supportive seating, and generous legroom ensure comfort for both front and rear passengers, whether on short commutes or long trips. Tech features include a customizable digital gauge cluster and available 7- or 9-inch infotainment displays with an intuitive, crisp interface for navigation, audio, and settings. Practicality shines with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet when the seats are folded, making it perfect for everything from groceries to weekend gear.
The 2026 Honda Passport follows the CR-V’s design language with a modern, spacious cabin offering more comfort, storage, and cargo space than ever. Premium materials, a clean layout, and adventurous topographic accents set the tone, while new Body Stabilizing heated front seats with power adjustments and memory come standard. Rear passengers enjoy 1.3 extra inches of legroom, and clever storage solutions include two-tier door bins, a large multi-use tray, a deep center console, a passenger-side shelf, and 10 oversized cup holders. Cargo space is the best in Passport history, and is one of the most notable differences between the CR-V and the Passport. With up to 83.5 cubic feet behind the first row and 44.0 behind the second, there is ample room for whatever you decide to bring along on your next adventure. Technology is a step up from what is offered in the CR-V, featuring a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G Wi-Fi, and a 15W wireless charger—all standard for a connected, convenient drive.
Trim Levels
The 2026 Honda CR-V is available in six trims, offering a fit for every budget and lifestyle in Benicia, American Canyon, Napa, and Fairfield. The LX packs essentials like a 1.5-liter turbo engine, 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Honda Sensing safety features. The EX adds 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, and a power moonroof, while the EX-L upgrades to leather upholstery, a 9-inch display, wireless charging, and an 8-speaker audio system. For more efficiency, the Sport Hybrid features sporty styling, a 204-hp two-motor hybrid, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Sport-L Hybrid adds dual-zone climate control, extra USB ports, a power tailgate, and parking sensors. At the top, the Sport Touring Hybrid includes all-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels, Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system for the ultimate in comfort, performance, and tech.
The 2026 Honda Passport is available at Honda of Vallejo in three main grades: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite. These translate to seven different rims, with each grade offering a standard version and a “Blackout” edition. The RTL also offers a Towing trim. The RTL features a rugged look with black trim and grille, matte black rocker panels, a roof spoiler, and silver skid plates front and rear. It rides on 18-inch Gloss Shark Gray wheels with all-season tires, offering confident handling on and off-road. For greater off-road capability, the TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims add a gloss black grille, amber DRLs, metallic silver skid plates, and TrailSport badging. These models include LED fog lights positioned higher for better trail protection, heavy-duty front and rear recovery points rated at twice the vehicle’s weight, and corrosion-resistant orange powder-coated breakaway front hooks for safety and durability. A trailer hitch with a 7-pin connector is standard, integrating rear recovery points and protecting the rear fascia. Both TrailSport trims roll on exclusive 18-inch wheels with finishes like Matte Shark Gray and Dark Tinted Clearcoat, Gloss Black lug nuts, recessed valve stems, and come equipped with new General Grabber all-terrain tires for excellent traction on varied terrain while maintaining a smooth ride on pavement.
Honda of Vallejo
Welcome to Honda of Vallejo, the leading Honda dealer of the Fairfield area! At our dealership, exceptional service and a fantastic selection of vehicles come together to create the ultimate car-buying experience! Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is dedicated to providing every customer that walks through our doors with a stress-free experience, with a commitment to transparency and kindness. Proudly serving Vallejo and the surrounding areas of Benicia, American Canyon, Napa and Fairfield, we hope you found this review of the differences between the 2026 Honda CR-V and the 2026 Honda Passport as a helpful tool in your journey towards your next new car. These family-friendly and stylish SUVs have long been loved for their modern technology, creature comforts, and impressive fuel efficiency! Visit us today at Honda of Vallejo and discover the great MPG ratings and luxurious interior of the 2026 Honda CR-V, and the powerful, adventure-ready 2026 Honda Passport!