After Selling His 2025 Toyota 4Runner, Owner Says the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite Has Better Build Quality, Quieter Ride, Real Storage, and Remote Start That “Actually Works Every Time”

The modern car enthusiast no longer gathers at backroad diners or parts counters. Today, the conversation has migrated to online forums where unfiltered ownership accounts often carry more weight than glossy marketing brochures. In the case of Honda’s Passport, a model that has operated quietly in the shadow of louder, more rugged nameplates, one owner’s long and detailed post in r/HondaPassport set off a thoughtful exchange that revealed just how far Honda has come with its midsize two-row SUV. His story was not a product of brand loyalty, but the testimony of someone who made a significant switch and felt compelled to explain why.

“Just bought a 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite and wanted to share why I'm so happy! Having owned a 6th-gen 2025 4Runner for five months, and after trading it in for the PPTSE, I can say hands down the ride quality, quietness, sound system, build quality, drivetrain, comfort, size, and functionality are all 100% better in this PPTSE compared to that new 4Runner.

In no particular order, just stream-of-thought, here are some of my observations (I could go on and on):

Nothing feels cheap. The doors and hood are not flimsy. The hood does not shimmy and shake when driving down the highway. There’s so much less plastic, which means fewer rattles. The window wiper motor doesn’t make a very loud whining noise. All the mirrors dim, not just one. All the doors allow you to unlock and lock them, not just the front. The rear has its own HVAC controls and also has heated seats. The cargo area has a lot of compartments with usable space. The rear seats fold flat. The horn is not a Mickey Mouse-sounding lame horn. The hood has gas struts.

The interior lighting is much brighter and actually has some finesse with staged lighting at night. The remote key fob is smaller with better connectivity from a distance. The auto remote start works every single time without needing a series of pointless consecutive button presses. The subwoofer can actually be heard. The infotainment system has not once messed up its connectivity with my phone. You can turn off the wireless charger. The armrest is much more comfortable and offers double the storage. The side mirrors automatically fold in. The sunglasses holder doesn’t feel paper-thin. There’s a light in the glove box. The HVAC system actually turns off when you turn it off.

Again, I could literally go on and on, but the point I’m making is that, in my opinion, this PPTSE vehicle is so much more worth the money than the 4Runner is. I’m very happy I jumped ship.”

What followed from the community was not tribal warfare, but a steady stream of owners who had reached similar conclusions after living with the Passport. A longtime Honda fan commented that his own Trailsport Elite was the quietest Honda he had ever owned and praised the space and comfort. Another owner described switching from a Jeep after twenty-five years due to reliability fatigue and reported four thousand carefree miles in his Passport TSE. Even mileage updates became part of the camaraderie, with one user announcing he had just crossed 4012 miles that day, a subtle sign of pride in a vehicle that appears to be exceeding expectations for many.

A veteran Passport owner joined the conversation with a more technical comparison. He pointed out that Honda’s torque-vectoring All Wheel Drive behaves more like a true mechanical system than a part-time afterthought and explained why the two-row layout suited his lifestyle better than a heavier three-row design. He admired the five-thousand-pound tow rating and acknowledged the 4Runner’s off-road heritage, yet still found the Passport the more complete package for his daily needs. His measured conclusion was simple and direct: he liked his Passport and especially liked the Trailsport Elite.

The thread grew into a collective evaluation of what owners value in real driving. There was no discussion of magazine test numbers or marketing claims. Instead, people focused on the feel of doors closing with confidence, the absence of unwanted vibrations at highway speeds, and the everyday conveniences that accumulate into genuine satisfaction. The Passport seemed to be earning its place through execution rather than nostalgia. In a market filled with vehicles chasing an image, the Honda’s appeal came from meeting the practical demands of the people who use it most.

Many readers noted the stark differences between the two SUVs when it came to refinement. The complaints about the 4Runner’s hood movement, wiper noise, and selective dimming mirrors stood out because they contrasted with Honda’s attention to functional detail. Owners highlighted the Passport’s storage compartments, its straightforward remote start system, and interior lighting designed with intention rather than obligation. These were not dramatic features, but the small touches that shape the driving experience in ways that spec sheets rarely capture.

The Passport’s engineering focus resonated most strongly with owners who no longer needed the heavy off-road hardware of traditional body-on-frame SUVs. They were looking for a sturdy, comfortable, well-built machine that could manage inclement weather, long highway trips, and daily errands with the same confidence. Honda delivered that balance with a chassis that prioritizes stability and an interior built for real life instead of staged adventure photos. The comments reflected relief as much as enthusiasm, which says plenty about how expectations are changing in this segment.

By the end of the discussion, the portrait of the Passport Trailsport Elite was not one of a halo vehicle or a segment disruptor. It was something more grounded. Owners described a machine that has earned their trust through competence, quietness, and thoughtful engineering. The story that began with one owner trading in a nearly new 4Runner evolved into a broader recognition that Honda has shaped the Passport into a reliable companion for the realities of modern driving. For many in that thread, the Passport did not just replace their previous vehicle. It improved their everyday experience behind the wheel, which is the highest compliment an SUV can earn.

Image Sources: Honda Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.