2026 Honda Passport RTL: Staten Island Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: 2026 Honda Passport RTL
The RTL is the 2026 Passport's base trim, but "base" undersells it: $44,950 MSRP, $46,445 with destination, and it already includes leather-trimmed seats with cloth accents, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, tri-zone automatic climate control, a programmable power tailgate and the full Honda Sensing suite. Every Passport, RTL included, runs the same 285-hp V6 and standard i-VTM4 AWD, so the RTL is the one trim without off-road-specific hardware, and it's also the one with the lineup's best fuel economy. It's the pick for buyers who want the size and capability of a Passport without paying for skid plates and all-terrain tires they won't use.
Everything that matters, none of the trail hardware
Cross off the TrailSport-specific items, off-road suspension, skid plates, recovery hooks, all-terrain tires, and what's left on the RTL is a genuinely well-equipped midsize SUV. The 18-inch Shark Gray alloy wheels ride on standard all-season tires rather than TrailSport's chunkier all-terrains, which is exactly the tradeoff most Staten Island driveways want: quieter highway manners and a smoother ride on paved streets, with the same 5,000-pound towing rating and the same 8.3 inches of ground clearance as every other trim in the lineup. The 7-mode drive system, Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Tow, Trail, Sand, comes standard here too, so an unplowed side street off Todt Hill after a snow emergency isn't a problem the RTL can't handle, it's just not built to crawl over boulders.
Inside, the RTL doesn't feel like an entry trim. Heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat, a wireless phone charger, 225-watt 9-speaker audio, and a fold-down 60/40 split rear seatback for the inevitable Costco run all come standard, alongside the safety suite: collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
The one trim with better mileage
Because the RTL skips TrailSport's wider, more aggressive all-terrain tires, it earns a real EPA advantage: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined, versus 18/23/20 for every trim from TrailSport up. It's not a dramatic gap, but on a two- or three-year lease with real Staten Island commuting miles, it adds up, and it's worth knowing that the mileage difference is tires and rolling resistance, not a different engine. All five trims share the identical 3.5-liter V6 and 10-speed automatic.
Who lands here
Buyers who want a Passport's size, standard AWD, and towing capacity for the boat or the camper, but who spend most of their week on Hylan Boulevard and the Staten Island Expressway rather than an actual trail. Families cross-shopping the Passport against a Pilot who decided two rows and more cargo room mattered more than a third bench. The store's reviews show the buying experience holds up across trims and years, one recent buyer described the process plainly: "Dealership staff were very honest and upfront on all aspects of my purchase." If you find yourself wanting the moonroof, the orange-stitched TrailSport seats, or the all-terrain tires, the TrailSport guide is $3,700 up the ladder.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Passport RTL come with?
Leather-trimmed seats with cloth accents, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat, the 12.3-inch Google-built-in touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital cluster, tri-zone automatic climate control, a programmable power tailgate, full Honda Sensing, and standard i-VTM4 AWD, all on the base trim.
How much is a 2026 Passport RTL in New York?
$44,950 MSRP plus $1,495 destination, so $46,445 before tax, then NYC's 8.875% sales tax and registration. Current lease and finance programs move the real number, check the specials page and the pricing guide for the full breakdown.
Does the RTL have AWD?
Yes, and it's not an option, it's standard. Every 2026 Passport trim runs the same i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system; there is no front-wheel-drive Passport.
Is the RTL worth it over the TrailSport?
If you won't use the off-road hardware, the RTL's $3,700 savings and slightly better mileage make it the smarter buy, same engine, same towing, same safety tech. If a moonroof, all-terrain tires, or the underbody skid plates matter to you, the TrailSport earns its price.
Does the RTL have a moonroof?
No. The one-touch power panoramic moonroof starts at TrailSport, the RTL is the only trim without one.
Where can I test drive an RTL on Staten Island?
At Honda of Staten Island's Passport inventory page, or in person at 250 Parkinson Avenue, open seven days including Sunday 11 to 4.
The bottom line
The RTL is what happens when a manufacturer decides the base trim shouldn't feel like the compromise trim. Leather, the big screen, tri-zone climate and full Honda Sensing are all standard, and you're only giving up hardware most owners will never actually need. For buyers who want everything a Passport offers except the trail gear, this is the smart entry point.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,495 destination charge plus tax, license, registration, options, and dealer-installed accessories; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are 2026 EPA ratings; your mileage will vary. Equipment and availability can change with configuration and production timing; confirm current specs with Honda of Staten Island. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Honda of Staten Island.