Honda is ready to go off-road with 2022 Passport TrailSport

2022 Passport TrailSport is Honda's first off-road oriented model

Earlier this month, Honda gave us a preview of its first off-road performance line called TrailSport. It didn't take long, but the automaker has now revealed the first model to receive the rugged makeover with the 2022 Passport TrailSport. The changes over the standard model may look subtle, but Honda says it is indeed ready for off-road adventures.

Compared to the standard Passport, the TrailSport model adopts a unique grille paired with chunkier front and rear bumpers. The rear bumper, in particular, features cutouts for the larger twin-exit exhaust and comes with an integrated skid garnish to match the front. There's more black cladding as well to give the SUV a more rugged appearance. Rounding up the changes are TrailSport badges on the grille and tailgate.

Though it may not seem like it, the front and rear tracks of the Passport TrailSport have been widened by 10mm to improve stance and increase stability. Meanwhile, 18-inch wheels exclusive to the model with 245/60 tires lend a more off-road-ready appearance.

Inside, there are more orange accents to match the TrailSport badges on the outside. These can be found on the seats, steering wheels, and door cards. The TrailSport logo is also embroidered on the front seats and molded onto the floor mats.

This being an off-road variant, the Passport TrailSport comes standard with all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. Power is provided by a 3.5-liter V6 which outputs 280 horsepower with 355 Nm of torque and paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. As standard with most Honda models today, the PassPort TrailSport comes with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies.

For those that think the PassPort TrailSport isn't rugged enough, there is some good news. Honda says they will make the SUV even more rugged by fitting more aggressive tires and off-road-tuned suspension.

There's no word yet what other Honda models will get the TrailSport treatment, but expect the Ridgeline pickup to be next. Eventually, it could be expanded into the Pilot and maybe even the CR-V. The Subaru Outback Wilderness better watch its back.