2026 Honda Passport MPG ratings and real-world performance

The 2026 Honda Passport is rated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined by the EPA when equipped with the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive. These are the official figures you'll see on the window sticker at a dealership. Real-world fuel economy typically runs 1 to 3 mpg lower than the combined rating, depending on your driving habits, terrain, and how much weight you carry.

The Passport sits in the mid-size SUV class, which means its fuel economy is competitive for a vehicle with its size and engine power. It's heavier and less aerodynamic than a sedan, so don't expect sedan-level efficiency. The V6 is the only engine option for 2026—there is no hybrid or turbocharged four-cylinder alternative on this model.

If you're comparing the Passport to other three-row or mid-size SUVs, the 23 mpg combined is respectable but not exceptional. A Toyota 4Runner gets similar numbers; a Jeep Wrangler typically gets worse; a Mazda CX-50 gets better. Your actual mileage will depend more on how you drive than on which trim level you choose, since all 2026 Passports use the same engine.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 Passport is rated 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg, and real-world results usually fall 1 to 3 mpg below the combined rating.
  • A single 3.5-liter V6 engine powers all 2026 models, so fuel economy does not vary by trim level.
  • Aggressive acceleration, towing, and driving on rough terrain all reduce fuel economy noticeably compared to highway cruising.
  • Keeping tires properly inflated and removing roof racks when not in use are the easiest ways to protect fuel economy without changing how you drive.
  • The Passport's fuel tank holds 19.5 gallons, which means a realistic highway range of around 500 miles on a full tank.

How the EPA test works and why your mileage differs

The EPA rating comes from a standardized lab test that simulates city and highway driving under controlled conditions. The city portion includes stops and starts at moderate speeds; the highway portion runs at steady speeds with no traffic. Neither test involves towing, off-road driving, or the kind of aggressive acceleration many SUV owners actually do.

Your real-world mileage will be lower because actual driving includes idling, cold starts, air conditioning use, and driving patterns the test doesn't capture. A Passport driven mostly on highways at steady speeds might hit 25 to 26 mpg combined. The same vehicle driven in stop-and-go city traffic with frequent acceleration will see 19 to 21 mpg combined. Towing a trailer, carrying a roof rack, or driving on unpaved roads pushes consumption even higher—sometimes 15 to 18 mpg.

Winter driving also reduces fuel economy by 10 to 15 percent because cold engines run less efficiently and winter-blend fuel has different properties. If you live in a cold climate, expect your winter mileage to be noticeably worse than your summer mileage.

Factors that reduce fuel economy in the 2026 Passport

Towing is the single biggest fuel economy penalty. The Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds, but doing so increases fuel consumption by 20 to 30 percent depending on the trailer weight and aerodynamics. A trailer also forces the engine to work harder on hills and during acceleration, which compounds the effect. If you tow regularly, budget for 16 to 18 mpg combined rather than 23.

Roof racks and cargo carriers create wind resistance and add weight. Even an empty roof rack reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 mpg. A fully loaded cargo carrier can cost you 3 to 5 mpg. Remove them when you're not using them—the fuel savings over a year often exceed the cost of storage.

Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder. Every 1 psi below the recommended pressure costs about 0.1 to 0.2 mpg. Check your tire pressure monthly and before long trips. The correct pressure is printed on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, not on the tire sidewall itself.

Aggressive driving—rapid acceleration, speeding, and hard braking—burns fuel faster than smooth, steady driving. Accelerating hard from a stop can use 20 to 30 percent more fuel than gradual acceleration. Highway driving at 70 mph uses noticeably less fuel than the same distance at 80 mph because aerodynamic drag increases with speed.

Maintenance that protects fuel economy

A clogged engine air filter forces the engine to work harder and can reduce fuel economy by 1 to 3 mpg. Honda recommends checking the air filter every 15,000 miles and replacing it when it looks dirty. This is one of the easiest maintenance tasks you can do yourself, or any shop can do it in minutes.

Using the manufacturer-recommended engine oil grade matters. The 2026 Passport uses 0W-20 synthetic oil. Using a heavier oil like 10W-30 increases friction and reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 mpg. Stick with what Honda specifies.

Spark plugs wear over time and cause the engine to run less efficiently. Honda spark plugs typically last 100,000 to 120,000 miles, but if your Passport is running rough or feels sluggish, worn plugs could be the reason. Replacing them restores fuel economy to normal.

A malfunctioning oxygen sensor or catalytic converter can trigger the check engine light and reduce fuel economy by 10 to 20 percent. If your fuel economy suddenly drops without a change in driving habits, have the engine scanned for fault codes. This is a diagnostic step, not a repair—it tells you what's actually wrong.

Fuel economy across different driving conditions

Highway driving at steady speeds is where the Passport achieves its best fuel economy. On a long interstate drive at 65 to 70 mph with cruise control, you can realistically expect 25 to 27 mpg combined. The engine settles into a steady state, and aerodynamic drag is the main resistance.

City driving with frequent stops and starts typically yields 19 to 22 mpg combined. The engine spends more time accelerating from a stop, which is when fuel consumption is highest. Air conditioning use in city traffic also increases fuel consumption.

Off-road or rough terrain driving significantly reduces fuel economy because the engine works harder to maintain traction and speed over uneven ground. Expect 15 to 18 mpg in these conditions. The Passport is designed for this kind of driving, but it comes at a fuel cost.

Mountain driving with elevation changes burns more fuel than flat terrain. Climbing hills requires the engine to produce more power, and even descending uses fuel because the transmission downshifts to control speed. A mountain road trip might see 20 to 22 mpg combined instead of the highway average of 26.

Comparing the 2026 Passport to similar vehicles

The Toyota 4Runner, a direct competitor, is rated 22 mpg combined with its standard V6 engine. The Passport's 23 mpg combined is slightly better, though both vehicles are close enough that driving style matters more than the model choice. The 4Runner is larger and heavier, which explains the 1 mpg difference.

The Jeep Wrangler is rated 21 mpg combined with its V6 engine, making it slightly less efficient than the Passport. The Wrangler's boxy shape and off-road focus make it less aerodynamic, which accounts for the difference. If fuel economy is a priority, the Passport is the better choice between these two.

The Mazda CX-50, a smaller mid-size SUV, is rated 26 mpg combined with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It achieves better fuel economy because it's lighter and has a smaller, more efficient engine. However, it has less towing capacity and interior space than the Passport, so the comparison depends on what you actually need.

Fuel tank capacity and driving range

The 2026 Passport has a 19.5-gallon fuel tank. At the EPA-combined rating of 23 mpg, a full tank gives you a theoretical range of about 450 miles. In real-world highway driving at 26 mpg, you can expect closer to 500 miles per tank. In city driving at 20 mpg, the range drops to around 390 miles.

This means you'll typically refuel every 350 to 500 miles depending on your driving pattern. On a long road trip with highway driving, you can comfortably go 400 to 450 miles between fill-ups. In heavy city use, plan to refuel every 300 to 350 miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2026 Passport have a hybrid or more efficient engine option?

No. The 2026 Passport comes with only the 3.5-liter V6 engine. Honda does not offer a hybrid version or a smaller turbocharged engine for this model. If fuel economy is your top priority, you may want to consider a smaller SUV like the Honda CR-V, which offers better mileage.

Will my fuel economy improve after the first 1,000 miles?

Yes, slightly. New engines run slightly richer (more fuel) during the break-in period. After 500 to 1,000 miles, the engine settles into normal operation and fuel economy improves by 1 to 2 mpg. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Can I improve fuel economy by using premium fuel instead of regular?

No. The 2026 Passport is designed to run on regular 87-octane fuel. Using premium fuel will not improve fuel economy and will only cost you more at the pump. Use what Honda specifies in your owner's manual.

How much does towing reduce fuel economy?

Towing typically reduces fuel economy by 20 to 30 percent. If you normally see 23 mpg combined, expect 16 to 18 mpg when towing a 5,000-pound trailer. The exact penalty depends on trailer weight, aerodynamics, and terrain.

What should my tire pressure be for best fuel economy?

Check the sticker on the inside of your driver's door jamb—that's the correct pressure for your Passport. It's typically around 32 psi. Keeping tires at this pressure maximizes fuel economy. Overinflating beyond the recommended pressure can reduce traction and tire life, so don't exceed the specification.