New 2027 Passport Trailsport details revealed

Hey Honda people! 👋 

Welcome back to the Classic Honda Newsletter. Whether you’re a new Honda owner, or a long-time fan, we’re glad to be in your inbox.

Here’s what’s coming up:

• 2027 Passport Trailsport is coming very soon

• Remember When? 1st Gen CR-V secrets

• ‘241.428’ Honda Racing DocuSeries is out now

• and the latest Honda news

The details on the 2027 Passport Trailsport

You know that moment on a family road trip when the pavement ends and the real adventure begins? Honda just captured that exact vibe with "Base to Captain," a cinematic new brand campaign starring the 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport. [Watch the spot here]

Channeling that signature Power of Dreams energy (yes, the one John Cena is always narrating), the commercial follows a young explorer whose imagination turns a standard weekend camping trip into a full-blown sci-fi space mission. Think less "pitching a tent in the woods" and more Interstellar.

So what’s actually new?

The fourth-generation Passport has been on an absolute tear lately, and the rugged TrailSport trim now accounts for over 80% of all Passport sales. Clearly, you all are huge fans of the chunky all-terrain tires and aggressive styling.

For 2027, Honda is giving the people what they want by cranking the off-road capability up another notch:

• Sitting Taller: A re-engineered suspension bumps the ground clearance up to a massive 9.65 inches. That means you can clear steep inclines and rutted washouts without holding your breath and hoping you don't scrape the underbelly.

• Standard TrailWatch™: No more guessing what’s hiding just over the hood. The multi-angle camera system is now standard on every TrailSport, giving you a live, real-time feed of your surroundings right on the center screen.

• Toasty Hands: A heated steering wheel is now standard gear—which is actually perfect for those random 45-degree January mornings here in Orlando!

If you watch the commercial closely, you might spot the Honda Base Station Prototype hitched to the back of the Passport. It’s an ultra-futuristic, towable off-road RV concept that shows exactly where Honda thinks backcountry camping is heading next.

Ready to start an expedition of your own? Come check out the current Honda Passport TrailSport lineup right here at Classic Honda.

The Greatest Secret Feature in Honda History: inside the CR-V

If you owned a Honda CR-V in the late ’90s or early 2000s, you already know exactly what we are about to talk about. If you didn’t, prepare to be incredibly jealous.

Back when SUVs were still figuring out their identities, Honda decided the first- and second-generation CR-V needed a party trick. If you lifted up the carpeted floor panel in the rear cargo area, you didn't just find a spare tire tool kit.

You found a literal folding picnic table that came standard from the factory. Yeah.

You pulled the hard plastic top out, folded down the metal legs, and instantly had a spot for tailgating, camping, or enjoying a picnic at the park.

But it gets even BETTER!

BECAUSE, my dear readers, the actual spare tire was mounted on the outside of the 1st and 2nd Gen CR-Vs (rear tailgate), that meant that the space directly underneath that picnic table was completely empty. As it turns out, Honda made this space waterproof WITH a built-in drain plug

If you put two and two together you realize: this is a factory-installed ice cooler hidden perfectly under the factory-placed table. Unfortunately, Honda quietly removed the feature and by 2007 with the new redesigns, the spare tire was moved under the cargo floor which meant: no more picnic table. Sorry! 

Anyways, now it’s a fun and brilliant piece of automotive history, and proof that Honda’s designers have always been looking out for you: the Driver.

Honda Racing celebrates ‘241.428’ Docuseries

Back in 2000, racing icon Gil de Ferran strapped into a Honda-powered Indy car at California Speedway and clocked an average lap speed of 241.428 mph.

More than a quarter-century later, that number remains the fastest official closed-course lap speed in racing history, unbeaten by Formula 1, NASCAR, and even modern IndyCar.

To honor de Ferran, who passed away in late 2023, Honda Racing Corporate just dropped a four-part docuseries titled “241.428” on the HRC US Youtube channel. Check it out!

• Honda HRC Progressive caps 2026 season at SMX Final

• Refreshed 2027 Honda Passport Trailsport arriving at dealerships

• Honda Wins every mainstream KBB Consumer choice Award for 2026

• 10/10 Rock & Brews Cars & Coffee Oviedo

• 10/17 Old Town Classic Car Show

That’s all for this month! We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Classic Honda Newsletter.

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