Ultimate Off-Road Crossover Shootout: Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback vs Hyundai Santa Fe
The automotive landscape has undergone a dramatic shift, with American drivers increasingly favoring rugged-looking crossovers over traditional truck-based platforms. Manufacturers have responded enthusiastically, outfitting everyday unibody SUVs with protective plastic cladding, raised suspension kits, and aggressive all-terrain tires. These adventure-ready trims promise a blend of daily drivability and weekend wilderness capability, but how do they actually perform when the pavement ends? To answer this, we put three of the market’s most popular contenders—the Subaru Outback Wilderness, Honda Passport TrailSport, and Hyundai Santa Fe XRT—through a rigorous evaluation deep in the rugged terrain of Pennsylvania.
The Contenders
2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru has long been a pioneer of all-wheel-drive capability. To capture a major slice of the modern overlanding market, the brand introduced its Wilderness lineup, featuring increased ground clearance, heavy-duty body cladding, and beefy all-terrain rubber on 17-inch wheels. Powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, the Outback channels power through a simulated eight-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s proprietary X-Mode torque-vectoring system.
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite
Honda’s mid-size, two-row SUV has matured into a handsome, squared-off machine. The TrailSport trim brings 8.3 inches of ground clearance, robust steel underbody protection, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in General Grabber all-terrain tires. Under the hood lies a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 generating 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission and a sophisticated torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
Hyundai maximizes utility with its boxy three-row SUV. The XRT variant pushes family-focused comfort into rougher territory with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, terrain-specific drive modes, and 18-inch wheels equipped with Continental TerrainContact tires. Propelled by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four putting out 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque—the highest torque figure in this comparison—the Santa Fe pairs its engine with a smooth eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
Where We Tested
Beginning our journey in the dense urban environment of New York City, we navigated aggressive potholes before heading west on Interstate 78. Because public off-road recreation areas are sparse along the Eastern Seaboard due to strict conservation regulations, our destination was the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Township, Pennsylvania. Spanning 8,000 acres, this demanding park features deep mud holes, standing water, and rocky trails designed to test everything from ATVs to full-size adventure vehicles.
On the Road
Despite their aggressive styling elements, these crossovers spend the vast majority of their lives handling mundane highway commutes and city driving. Fortunately, none of them sacrifice daily comfort for aesthetic ruggedness.
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT benefits from receiving the lightest off-road modifications, allowing its on-road manners to shine. Weighing around 4,400 pounds, its light steering and tight 37.9-foot turning circle make it remarkably agile in dense traffic. On the open highway, its turbo four-cylinder delivers quiet, effortless acceleration, while the eight-speed automatic provides seamless gear changes. It behaves like a well-insulated, predictable appliance—competent yet emotionally reserved.
The Subaru Outback Wilderness feels much more spry and carlike, aided by a relatively light curb weight of 3,973 pounds and a tall 9.5-inch ride height. While its elevated stance introduces a bit more body movement at highway velocities, it remains highly maneuverable at lower speeds. The turbocharged flat-four engine pulls strongly once the boost builds, though slight turbo lag and the characteristics of the CVT occasionally muddy the driving experience.
The Honda Passport TrailSport leans into a traditional charm with its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6. Revving smoothly up to its peak power output, the V-6 pairs exceptionally well with the 10-speed automatic transmission. Weighing 4,700 pounds, the Passport feels the most planted, stable, and substantial on the highway. Its steering feedback is crisp, ensuring that the adventure-ready package does not dilute the signature refined driving dynamics expected from Honda.
Off the Road
None of these unibody crossovers feature old-school mechanical locking differentials or two-speed transfer cases, relying instead on brake-based traction management and clutch-pack AWD systems. Yet, navigating the rough trails of Pennsylvania revealed distinct engineering philosophies.
Subaru Outback Wilderness: Boasting a class-leading 9.5-inch ground clearance and adaptive dampers, the Outback easily cleared obstacles that forced contact from its rivals. However, its aggressive electronic nannies—particularly the strict 12-mph Hill Descent Control limit and overly cautious stability interventions—sometimes hindered momentum in technical, slippery scenarios.
Honda Passport TrailSport: With 8.3 inches of clearance and a longer wheelbase, the Passport relies heavily on robust steel skid plates to protect its vital underbody components. Thanks to its superior 23-degree approach angle and the rapid torque-vectoring response of its i-VTM4 system, the Honda conquered steep, loose hill-climbs and water crossings with unmatched composure and minimal drama.
Hyundai Santa Fe XRT: While the Santa Fe handles highway cruising with ease, its off-road execution faltered when faced with deep ruts and hanging wheels. Its AWD system occasionally hesitated before distributing adequate power to the rear axle, requiring patience and multiple attempts to clear sticky obstacles.
In the Cabin
Interior refinement remains a top priority for buyers in this segment, and each brand delivers a distinct aesthetic.
The Subaru Outback Wilderness offers a horizontally oriented 12.1-inch touchscreen, durable StarTex or optional nappa leather seating, and plenty of clever storage cubbies. While physical climate controls and a traditional gear shifter are appreciated, cabin space feels slightly tighter for passenger headroom and elbow room compared to its competitors.
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT feels the most luxurious and modern inside, featuring a seamless 12.3-inch infotainment setup, an ultra-quiet cabin, and the distinct advantage of a usable third row. However, its push-button layout and unique stalk shifter require an adjustment period.
The Honda Passport TrailSport Elite strikes a comfortable balance with standard premium features, including heated and ventilated leather seating, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a crystal-clear 12.3-inch touchscreen. It provides an exceptionally quiet, cocoon-like atmosphere at cruising speeds, even if rear passenger dimensions are slightly more compact than the Hyundai’s.
Bang Per Buck
Value varies significantly across the lineup. The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT undercuts its competition by thousands of dollars while offering a spacious cabin and extensive standard features, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious families. The Subaru Outback Wilderness sits in a competitive mid-tier price bracket, though upgrading to premium interior amenities requires additional package investments. Meanwhile, the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite commands a higher price tag due to its luxury appointments, though buyers seeking pure off-road capability without extra leather can opt for the standard TrailSport trim for a substantial cost reduction.
And the Winner Is . . .
Selecting the right adventure-ready crossover comes down to balancing daily livability with genuine capability when road conditions deteriorate. While the Subaru Outback excels over obstacles and the Hyundai Santa Fe provides stellar interior space and value, the Honda Passport TrailSport emerges as the definitive champion.
The Passport effortlessly bridges the gap between rugged aesthetics and true multi-surface capability. Its stable highway manners, refined V-6 powertrain, and exceptionally quick-acting torque-vectoring system ensure that it remains unflappable when tackling genuinely challenging trails where competitors struggle. Combining everyday comfort with dependable performance, the Honda Passport TrailSport earns its crown as the ultimate soft-roader.
Ready to find the ideal adventure vehicle for your lifestyle? Visit your local dealership today to schedule a test drive and experience these trail-ready crossovers for yourself!
