Passport Goes Abroad: Honda to Export U.S.-Built Passport SUV to Japan

Honda today announced plans to export the U.S. designed, developed and built Honda Passport, in the top TrailSport Elite trim, to the Japanese market in the second half of 2026 – to enhance its product lineup to meet the diverse needs of customers in Japan.

The fourth-generation Passport has been a runaway success in the U.S. since its introduction early last year, posting multiple monthly sales records and its best year in 2025.

The award-winning Passport, including the Passport TrailSport that accounts for around 80% of the trim mix, is built exclusively at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant in Lincoln, Alabama. The 3.5-liter V6 engine that powers the Passport also is made locally at the plant. Moreover, Passport consistently ranks in the top 10 of the Cars.com American-Made Index for its contribution to U.S.-based auto manufacturing jobs and supply chains. 

“Since Honda began auto production in America more than four decades ago, we have been dedicated to delivering quality for the world, made in the U.S.A.,” said Jun Jayaraman, senior vice president of the Manufacturing Management Center at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America. “From the onset, Honda has believed in our American manufacturing talent, and we are proud to export quality vehicles built by our associates in Alabama to Honda customers in Japan.”

In March 1988, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to import its own U.S.-made vehicles to Japan, with a shipment of Accord Coupe automobiles and Gold Wing GL1500 motorcycles made at Honda plants in Marysville, Ohio. Since beginning overseas exports of U.S.-made automobiles in 1987, Honda has exported more than 1.75 million Honda and Acura vehicles to global markets. This includes nearly 300,000 vehicle exports to Japan.

Honda exhibited the 2026 Passport at the Tokyo Auto Salon and Osaka Auto Messe, held earlier this year, where many visitors showed strong interest in this model and expressed excitement over the possibility of the model being available for the Japan market.  

2026 Honda Passport
Designed in California and developed in Ohio, the fourth-generation 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever, offering a class-leading combination of rugged design, authentic off-road capability and exceptional on-road performance.

The top Passport TrailSport Elite trim Honda will offer in Japan matches U.S. market specifications, including left-hand-drive, V6 power, torque-vectoring i-VTM4® all-wheel drive, reinforced steel skid plates, off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, stout front and rear recovery points, and TrailWatch™ camera system.

Every 2026 Passport features a powerful 285 hp DOHC V6 engine, paired with the model’s first 10‑speed automatic transmission – marking the first time this engine will be offered by Honda in the Japanese market. This is also the first Passport to get the second generation of the Honda torque vectoring i-VTM4™ all-wheel drive system, which features a stronger rear drive unit with 40% more torque capacity and 30% faster response, optimizing traction in all driving scenarios, especially slick and off-road conditions.

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