Honda Ridgeline vs. Honda Passport: When You Can't Decide Between a Truck and an SUV

You need to haul gear, tow a trailer, and handle gravel roads — but you also want a comfortable cabin, room for the family, and something that drives well day to day. That is exactly the spot where the 2026 Honda Ridgeline and the 2026 Honda Passport sit, and choosing between them is less about which is better and more about which fits your weekends.

The Ridgeline is a unibody pickup truck with an open bed, an In-Bed Trunk, and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive. The Passport is a five-passenger SUV with serious off-road hardware, standard skid plates, and the same i-VTM4 technology under the floor. Both are built for active families. Both are at home pulling a trailer up to a campsite. The right one depends on what you are loading, where you are going, and how often.

At a Glance: 2026 Ridgeline vs. 2026 Passport

Engine and Drivetrain: Two Different Approaches to Capability

Both trucks share Honda's proven 3.5-litre V6, but each is tuned and paired differently. The Ridgeline's V6 produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system. The Passport TrailSport bumps output to 285 hp and 262 lb-ft and pairs the V6 with a 10-speed automatic and the second-generation i-VTM4 system, which can route up to 70% of engine torque to the rear axle and 100% of that torque to either the left or right rear wheel.

In plain terms: the Ridgeline is tuned for smooth, confident hauling and towing. The Passport TrailSport is tuned for off-road traction and quick response in changing terrain.

Towing and Hauling: Open Bed or Enclosed Cargo?

Towing capacity is essentially identical — 2,267 kg (5,000 lb) for the Ridgeline and 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) for the Passport. So the question is what you are carrying inside the vehicle, not behind it.

Honda Ridgeline cargo highlights:

• 1,625 mm cargo bed length (2,108 mm with tailgate down)
• 960 L cargo bed volume
• 207 L lockable, weatherproof In-Bed Trunk under the bed floor
• Dual-action tailgate that opens down or sideways
• Heavy-duty truck-bed tie-down cleats (8) standard
• 687 kg (1,515 lb) payload capacity (Sport)

Honda Passport TrailSport cargo highlights:

• 1,246 L cargo volume behind the second row
• 2,356 L cargo volume behind the front row (seats folded)
• Enclosed, climate-protected cargo area
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat
• Roof rails standard for additional gear

If you regularly haul dirty, oversized, or wet items — quads, dirt bikes, mulch, lumber, kayaks — the Ridgeline's open bed is purpose-built for that life. If you are loading skis, camping gear, sports equipment, or groceries that need to stay clean and dry, the Passport's enclosed cargo space is the better fit.

Off-Road Capability: Both Are Capable, but Differently

The Passport TrailSport is the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever built. It comes standard with off-road tuned suspension, robust steel underbody skid plates, exposed bright orange heavy-duty recovery hooks, and General Grabber all-terrain tires (275/60R18) co-developed exclusively for the Passport. Approach and departure angles are 23.0 and 23.1 degrees, ground clearance is 210 mm, and seven selectable drive modes — Normal, Sport, Econ, Snow, Sand, Tow, and Trail — let you adapt the Passport to whatever surface you find.

The Ridgeline TrailSport adds off-road tuned suspension and General Grabber A/T tires (P245/60 R18 A/T) to the lineup, with approach and departure angles of 20.4 and 19.6 degrees and 194 mm of ground clearance. It is engineered for confident dirt-road driving, towing on uneven surfaces, and worksite use rather than aggressive trail crawling.

For Quebec drivers heading to the Outaouais backcountry, ZEC trails, or cottage roads in the Gatineau Hills, the Passport TrailSport is the more capable off-roader. The Ridgeline is the more practical pickup for hauling and towing across mixed terrain.

Cabin and Tech: Family-Ready, Honda-Refined

Both vehicles seat five and come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. The Passport TrailSport features a 10.2-inch full digital driver instrumentation display, a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless phone charger — all standard. The TrailSport Touring adds a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, perforated leather seating, and the new TrailWatch camera system with four exterior cameras.

The Ridgeline lineup features a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and the Honda Sensing suite as standard. The Black Edition adds Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation and a premium 8-speaker audio system. Both vehicles include heated front seats and standard tri-zone climate control on most trims.

Which One Should You Choose?

The decision usually comes down to one question: do you load gear into a bed or into a cargo area?

• Choose the 2026 Honda Ridgeline if you regularly haul dirty or oversized cargo, tow trailers from worksites or campsites, and want the practicality of an open truck bed with the comfort of a unibody platform.
• Choose the 2026 Honda Passport if you want the most off-road capable Honda SUV, prefer enclosed cargo space for family gear, and want maximum traction confidence on Quebec winter roads and backcountry trails.

Both deliver Honda reliability, the same i-VTM4 AWD technology, identical towing capacity, and standard Honda Sensing safety. The difference is the lifestyle wrapped around the same engineering foundation.

See Both at Lallier Honda Hull

Stop by Lallier Honda Hull in Gatineau to compare the 2026 Ridgeline and 2026 Passport TrailSport side by side. Our team can walk you through cargo configurations, towing setups, and off-road features in person — and book you a back-to-back test drive so you can feel the difference before you decide. Contact our team today to make your appointment.