Honda Passport trim comparison
2026 Honda Passport RTL Towing vs TrailSport Elite
The Passport RTL Towing starts at $45,650 while the TrailSport Elite is $52,650. That $7,000 gap buys 3 meaningful differences.
$7,000 more is ~$123/month. The question is whether the added equipment will matter to you every week.
Stay with the RTL Towing if keeping roughly $123/month in your budget matters. Step up to the TrailSport Elite only if you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty. That is the real decision hiding inside this $7,000 trim jump.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the RTL Towing to the TrailSport Elite is about $123/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $7,380 more by the time interest is counted.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
When both feel the same
Both the RTL Towing and TrailSport Elite share the same 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $7,000 for 2 measurable differences, which works out to about $3,500 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 3 specification differences, 4 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2026. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | RTL Towing | TrailSport Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $45,650 | $52,650 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 285 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 19 | 18 |
| Highway MPG | 25 | 23 |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 20 |
| Fuel Tank | 18.5 gal | 18.5 gal |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 4,478 lbs | 4,705 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 113.6" | 113.6" |
| Length | 191.5" | 191.5" |
| Width | 79.4" | 79.4" |
| Height | 73.1" | 73.1" |
| Safety | ||
| IIHS Award | TSP+ | TSP+ |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/unlimited | 5yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2026 Honda Passport RTL Towing vs TrailSport Elite Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Honda Passport lineup, the Honda brand hub, the Midsize SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2026 Passport TrailSport Elite cost than the RTL Towing?
The TrailSport Elite starts at $52,650 compared to $45,650 for the RTL Towing. That is a $7,000 difference, or approximately $123/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2026 Honda Passport RTL Towing and TrailSport Elite have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 3.5L V6 producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Do the 2026 Passport RTL Towing and TrailSport Elite have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
What warranty does the 2026 Honda Passport come with?
All 2026 Honda Passport trims, including both the RTL Towing and TrailSport Elite, come with Honda's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Which 2026 Honda Passport trim gets better fuel economy, the RTL Towing or the TrailSport Elite?
The RTL Towing is the more efficient of the two at 21 combined MPG, versus 20 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $7,000 Gets You
The Passport TrailSport Elite costs $7,000 more but shares the same engine, drivetrain as the RTL Towing. The differences are mostly cosmetic or marginal, so the practical jump is limited.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Passport RTL Towing gets 1 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $100 per year or $500 over five years of ownership.
What Both Trims Share
The Passport RTL Towing and TrailSport Elite share the same engine, drivetrain, and transmission. The $7,000 difference comes down to 2 feature and equipment changes, not mechanical differences.
Summary
$7,000 more for the Passport TrailSport Elite gets you 2 real differences. At $123/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Honda Passport RTL Towing
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the RTL Towing best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Honda Passport TrailSport Elite
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the TrailSport Elite when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2026 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Honda or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.