Honda has had a bumpy ride over the past year, recording the first annual loss in its history and writing off significant investments in electric vehicles. The automaker is focused on righting the ship, however, and part of its turnaround plan includes notable updates for two of its most popular models, the Accord midsize sedan and Passport 2-row midsize SUV.
Industry publication Automotive News reports that Honda’s plans include a substantial mid-cycle refresh for the Accord, which will see the car taking a “modern and futuristic” design. The sedan’s conservative shape will reportedly give way to a sharper, more angular look, featuring a new grille and redesigned headlights. Honda will reportedly borrow some design elements from the now-canceled 0 Series electric vehicle (EV), but the Accord won’t be as over-the-top with its futuristic look.
The Passport is an increasingly important model for Honda, with record sales in 2025. Most of the SUVs sold, around 80%, were the more rugged TrailSport trim. It was redesigned for the 2026 model year but will receive another update heading into 2027 that focuses on making it even beefier.
Automotive News’ sources said Honda is “giving (the Passport) more testosterone,” which should help it better compete with more focused off-road rivals, such as Toyota’s 4Runner. The Passport will continue with a unibody platform, which is generally less capable than the 4Runner’s body-on-frame design, but the TrailSport model will reportedly see a one-inch lift, a revised suspension system, and subtle styling changes.
While these aren’t generational updates for either vehicle, Honda believes they are significant enough to keep both models’ sales momentum. Later this year the automaker will pause production of the Ridgeline pickup, which could divert some buyers to the Passport, and the Accord’s frugal hybrid powertrain will likely continue to gain ground as gas prices remain high.
