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Shoppers comparing 2026 Honda Passport vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe will notice two very different takes on capability and everyday comfort. One is a rugged, two-row midsize SUV built to go off the beaten path with confidence; the other is a stylish, three-row family hauler with strong tech. The Passport doubles down on trail-ready hardware, including an available off-road-tuned suspension, the second-generation i-VTM4® all-wheel-drive system, and the available TrailWatch™ trail camera system. Santa Fe counters with an optional HTRAC AWD setup and a flexible cabin across three rows. As drivers in Milwaukee, WI weigh towing, cargo, and traction needs, the Passport’s V6 power, 10-speed automatic transmission, and available 5,000-pound towing capacity offer an edge for weekend gear and small boats. At Russ Darrow Honda, our team focuses on what matters in the real world—confidence in poor traction, room for adult-sized cargo, and technology that works without fuss—so you can decide in a single visit which SUV supports your daily life and your next escape. We sell the Passport because it earns that trust with authentic engineering, thoughtful packaging, and standard Honda Sensing® driver-assistive features.
| Feature | 2026 Honda Passport | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Powerful V6 engine | Yes | No |
| Second-generation i-VTM4® torque-vectoring AWD | Yes | No |
| Off-road-tuned suspension (available) | Yes | No |
| TrailWatch™ trail camera system (available) | Yes | No |
| 5,000-lb max towing capability (when properly equipped) | Yes | No |
| Two-row SUV layout with expansive cargo area | Yes | No |
| 10-speed automatic transmission | Yes | No |
| Tri-zone automatic climate control (available) | Yes | No |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration | Yes | Yes |
| Honda Sensing® suite standard | Yes | No |
The Passport wears its capability proudly. A bold stance, generous clearance, and functional details telegraph purpose. TrailSport trims look the part and back it up with available off-road-tuned suspension, underbody protection accessories like HPD™ Rock Sliders, and wheel-and-tire setups that shrug off ruts and gravel. Distinctive colors—such as Sunset Orange, Ash Green Metallic, Radiant Red Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl—highlight the body’s clean lines, while lighting elements boost night-time visibility on rural roads. Practical touches abound, from roof-rail readiness to wide-opening doors that make loading bulky cargo simpler. Santa Fe’s exterior is clean and architectural, with its H-motif lighting and squared-off tail; it is refined and modern. Yet when trails turn narrow or parking gets tight, the Passport’s two-row proportions are a real benefit: easier to place, less overhang to worry about, and fewer compromises to approach and departure angles. If you want a vehicle that looks ready to get muddy on Saturday and tidy up nicely for Monday’s commute, the Passport’s form follows its function in a way that’s refreshing and sincere.
The Passport emphasizes generous two-row space, smart storage, and materials that stand up to life’s bumps and scrapes. It feels intentionally designed for five adults and their things, with a wide cargo hold, a low, flat load floor, and clever small-item storage. TrailSport models bring rugged details and easy-to-clean surfaces, while higher trims add available amenities such as ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and tri-zone climate control for tailored comfort. Intuitive controls and a large central touchscreen keep navigation, audio, and smartphone integration where you expect them, and an available wireless phone charger keeps the console tidy. The Santa Fe goes a different route. Its three-row configuration adds seats for occasional use, but that third row reduces cargo space when all seats are up, and adults may find it snug on longer drives. Both SUVs offer modern conveniences, but the Passport’s two-row layout gives you the kind of everyday cargo width and depth that makes hauling camping bins, home-improvement supplies, or sports gear easier with fewer seat flips and compromises.
What sets the Passport apart is mechanical depth. The second-generation i-VTM4® AWD system can actively send torque to either rear wheel, enhancing grip and directional stability on loose surfaces and slippery city streets alike. Off-road-tuned suspension components on TrailSport models are engineered to flex over ruts without jostling passengers, and the available TrailWatch™ trail camera system displays what is happening around your tires at low speeds—confidence you can see when cresting ridges or placing a wheel on rock. The Hyundai Santa Fe’s HTRAC AWD is solid for varied weather, and select trims add ride-height and tire changes that look adventurous. Yet it does not incorporate the Passport’s true rear-axle torque vectoring, which makes a tangible difference when one rear wheel needs power while the other slips. When comparing 2026 Honda Passport vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe for towing, the Passport’s available 5,000-lb rating and robust cooling help whether you are pulling a pair of ATVs or a small camper. The result is a midsize SUV that is not just SUV-shaped—its hardware earns the label when pavement ends.
The Passport’s V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission bring a smooth, confident character that shines in daily driving, merges, and hill climbs with a trailer attached. The broad, linear power delivery is predictable in traffic and responsive on-ramps, with a refined sound that never feels strained. Gear changes are quick and unobtrusive, and the transmission’s ratios keep the engine in its sweet spot on long grades or when a sudden passing maneuver is required. Santa Fe’s 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and 8-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox provide brisk acceleration and efficiency-minded cruising, especially unladen, but the power delivery and shift feel can be more focused on maximizing response than the plush, seamless character many drivers prefer for daily use and towing. If you want an SUV whose drivetrain feels unflappable—climbing to the lake with gear, slipping through traffic on I-43, or idling smoothly in school pickup lanes—the V6 Passport powertrain stands out for refinement as much as for strength.
Honda Sensing® is standard on every Passport, including Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. Traffic Sign Recognition and helpful driver alerts provide extra awareness without becoming intrusive. Available features—such as TrailWatch™ for situational visibility at low speeds—further reduce guesswork on tight trails and in crowded parking structures. Hyundai SmartSense brings an extensive suite to Santa Fe, including available advanced highway assists, surround-view monitoring, and Remote Smart Parking Assist on upper trims. While both models take safety seriously, Passport’s approach is refreshingly unified across the lineup, so you are not forced into a top trim to get core collision-avoidance tech. The natural, well-weighted steering and excellent outward visibility contribute to driver confidence in Milwaukee, WI, while robust body engineering helps inspire calm in busy urban traffic and on long highway drives. The net effect is an SUV that reduces fatigue, supports your judgment, and helps protect you and your passengers trip after trip in Milwaukee, WI.
Local drivers want capability that feels easy and confidence that feels natural. Here is where the Passport shines for daily commutes and weekend detours.
From Greenfield to Waukesha, our recommendation is simple: drive both, and you will feel how naturally the Passport fits southeastern Wisconsin life.
If your week includes school runs, construction detours, tight parking, and spontaneous road trips, the Passport’s blend of ease and authenticity is tough to beat. The two-row layout provides adult-friendly space and a cargo hold that is ready for bikes, bins, and coolers without shuffling seats. The second-generation i-VTM4® AWD system and available off-road-tuned suspension add confidence when conditions are unpredictable, and the V6 paired to a 10-speed automatic feels reassuringly calm in traffic or with a trailer attached. Stack that against the Santa Fe’s third-row flexibility and sleek design, and you will understand why so many shoppers choose the Passport after a back-to-back drive. Visit Russ Darrow Honda for a thorough walkthrough, let our team answer your technical questions, and take your time exploring what matters most in Milwaukee, WI. We are happy to help you compare features carefully, demonstrate Honda Sensing® on real streets in Milwaukee, WI, and show how TrailSport and available accessories can personalize your SUV for workdays and weekends. Russ Darrow Honda is ready when you are.
