In what could be the start of more rugged, off-road centric crossovers and SUVs, the TrailSport is considered the “halo model” thanks to its increased off-road capability, versatility, and durability baked in.

The new TrailSport, like all other 2022 Passport SUVs carry new front and rear styling with a revised hood with pronounced power bulges, a grille crossbar that bisects the headlights, a new skid garnish, and broader side vents added to the front bumper. At the back, it sports larger twin exhaust outlets as well as a skid garnish.

From there, the Passport TrailSport gets high-gloss black emblems, an increased track width, more rugged 18-inch wheels with 245/60R18 tires, and 8.1 inches or around 205.7 mm of ground clearance (it’s not much, we know, but it’s honest work).

Under the hood, retains a normally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and 355 Nm of torque paired to a 9-speed automatic. Naturally, it also gets Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system which offers torque vectoring functions (no word if modifications were made to increase the Passport TrailSport’s off-road cred).

In the cabin, the Passport TrailSport adds orange contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door panels, and seats (embroidered with the TrailSport logo), all-weather floor mats, and gauges with a black chrome surround. Oh, and the interior ambient lighting has been altered to orange too.

For those who think the Passport TrailSport is a half-baked idea, don’t worry. Honda says they’ll be offering an off-road tuned suspension, and more aggressive wheels and tires via the aftermarket route.

With Subaru doing it with their Wilderness brand and Ford doing the same with their Timberline, Honda also has high hopes for its TrailSport badge. A natural course would be to offer it to the Ridgeline pickup truck and Pilot SUV as well. Who knows, perhaps one day they’ll offer it on the CR-V as well.