2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Honda Passport

The 2026 Honda Passport was a striking presence on the road, characterized by its extra-large proportions and blocky dimensions that embodied the modern rugged SUV aesthetic. Its design featured a nearly flat hood and an abrupt lower bumper, enhancing its approach angle and giving it a blunt, assertive nose. The amber running lights and a standard thin hood scoop added to its distinctive look. While the Passport's front view was impressive, its profile was somewhat derivative, drawing inspiration from a backpack, yet reminiscent of earlier models like the Chevrolet Traverse and Land Rover Discovery. The Passport also offered practical features such as nearly invisible rock sliders and a scratch-resistant roof panel, although its height made some features, like leaning skis, less practical. The rear design continued the blocky theme with a two-tone tailgate and standard roof rails.

Inside, the Passport offered a straightforward, no-frills interior across its three trim levels: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite. The TrailSport trim featured a blend of synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, while the TrailSport Elite boasted all-genuine leather. Despite the superior materials in the Elite, the TrailSport's interior was more visually appealing. The Passport's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with standard features like roof rails and 18-inch wheels enhancing its utility.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that retained its upright stance and large windows but introduced a modern vibe with an illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence. The new Upland trim added front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer exuded modernity with clean design and horizontal lines. The 12-inch infotainment screen, though small for the vehicle's size, was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's premium materials, including Nappa and Palermo leather, added to the luxurious feel, and the overall fit and finish were impressive.

The 2026 Honda Passport, particularly in TrailSport trims, was engineered for both on-road and off-road performance. It featured redesigned front and rear bumpers for improved approach and departure angles, along with skid plates for added protection. The switch to 18-inch wheels across all trims improved ride comfort and off-road traction. The TrailSport Elite trim offered a multi-view mode with four camera angles for better trail navigation. The Passport's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system was standard, along with seven distinct drive modes, including new Sport, Trail, and Tow modes. However, it lacked locking differentials and a low-range 4WD system. The Passport's naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine delivered 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It excelled in various environments, with the V6 providing ample power and the steering offering satisfying weight at low speeds. The Passport's fuel economy was modest, with EPA estimates of 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined in RTL trim.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in the 6,000-pound vehicle. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin. The seats were comfortable for long drives, and the vehicle absorbed bumps well. The Grand Wagoneer's towing capacity reached up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2026 Honda Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and expanding to 83.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it the most capacious in the midsize crossover segment. It also provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom and ample storage options, including a shelf ahead of the front passenger. The TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims featured a panoramic moonroof, with the Elite adding ventilated front seats. The Adventure Package offered a removable rear cargo shelf that doubled as a table.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a spacious people mover with three rows of seating, accommodating up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat. The third row offered ample space for small to average-sized passengers. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, the long-wheelbase version increased it to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer also featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats. The Upland trim included Quadra-Lift air suspension, front recovery hooks, skid plates, and all-terrain tires.

The 2026 Honda Passport featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps. It also supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charger. The Passport's touchscreen was user-friendly, with bright colors and easy navigation. Additional tech features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB-C charging ports, and a 10.2-inch digital driver information display. The TrailSport Elite trim added a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and the TrailWatch camera system.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. It also featured a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate controls, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and USB ports. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system, and a front passenger interactive display. The wireless phone charger had issues with overheating, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

The 2026 Honda Passport was equipped with Honda Safety Sense, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The Passport had eight standard airbags, but previous crash test results were less than stellar, with a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection-collision assist, and parking sensors. Available features included automated park assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests.