Honda Passport TrailSport vs. Subaru Outback Wilderness vs. Hyundai Santa Fe XRT: The Ultimate Off-Road Crossover Shootout
The American automotive landscape has undergone a dramatic shift over the past decade. While true body-on-frame beasts still cater to hardcore overlanders, a new breed of adventure-ready vehicle has captured the hearts of drivers across the United States: the ruggedized soft-roader. Equipped with durable plastic cladding, suspension lifts, and meaty all-terrain tires, these machines promise extra capability when the pavement ends. To see how far these mainstream unibody crossovers can genuinely push their limits, we packed our gear and headed deep into the rugged hills of Pennsylvania, pitting the Honda Passport TrailSport, Subaru Outback Wilderness, and Hyundai Santa Fe XRT against one another.
The Contenders
2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru has long mastered all-weather traction, but the brand leaned heavily into the overlanding trend with its Wilderness lineup. The Outback Wilderness brings aggressive body cladding, a factory suspension lift, and aggressive all-terrain rubber wrapped around 17-inch wheels. Under the hood lies a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine pumping out 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a dedicated X-Mode torque-vectoring system.
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite
Honda’s two-row mid-size SUV has matured into a handsome, squared-off machine. The rugged TrailSport trim introduces 8.3 inches of ground clearance, 18-inch wheels shod in General Grabber all-terrain tires, reinforced steel underbody protection, and revised approach angles. Power comes from a tried-and-true 3.5-liter V-6 generating 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, directed through a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
Hyundai’s boxy three-row family hauler pushes the boundaries of traditional crossover utility. The XRT variant features 8.3 inches of clearance, specialized terrain modes, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in Continental TerrainContact tires. Propelled by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque—the highest torque figure in this comparison—it swaps out older dual-clutch units for a smooth eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
Where We Tested
Starting our journey from the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York, we navigated the congested tarmac toward the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Township, Pennsylvania. Spanning 8,000 acres, this sprawling off-road park features everything from slick mud holes to rocky hill climbs, providing the ultimate proving ground for these adventure-themed trim levels.
On the Road
Despite their aggressive styling elements, these crossovers spend the vast majority of their lives eating up highway miles and running daily errands. Surprisingly, none of them sacrifice everyday street manners for their aesthetic updates.
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT shines brightest in urban environments. Despite weighing roughly 4,400 pounds, its light steering and tight 37.9-foot turning circle make it remarkably agile. Out on the open highway, its turbocharged engine provides smooth acceleration, while cabin isolation keeps outside noise to a minimum. It behaves like a well-oiled appliance—competent, comfortable, and predictable.
The Subaru Outback Wilderness behaves like the athletic jumper of the group. With a lofty 9.5-inch ride height and a lighter curb weight of 3,973 pounds, it feels spry at lower speeds, though slightly less planted than its heavier rivals during high-speed cruising. The 2.4-liter turbo engine provides solid mid-range punch, though initial acceleration can be occasionally hindered by turbo lag and CVT drag.
The Honda Passport TrailSport leans on old-school displacement with its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6. Paired with a slick 10-speed automatic, it delivers a satisfying mechanical soundtrack as it climbs toward its peak power output. Weighing in at roughly 4,700 pounds, the Passport feels the most stable and mature on the highway, maintaining Honda’s signature accurate steering feel even when wrapped in chunky all-terrain rubber.
Off the Road
When the asphalt runs out, the physical realities of unibody platforms become apparent. None of these vehicles feature heavy-duty locking differentials or low-range transfer cases, relying instead on electronic torque-vectoring clutch packs and brake-based traction management.
Navigating the rocky trails of Anthracite, ground clearance proved critical. The Subaru Outback Wilderness takes the lead with its generous 9.5 inches of clearance and adaptive dampers, easily stepping over boulders that forced contact on its competitors.
Honda takes a different path with the Passport TrailSport, relying on 8.3 inches of clearance backed by robust steel skid plates. While its longer wheelbase meant occasional scraping over sharp ridges, the thick underbody protection shrugged off impacts without missing a beat.
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT struggled most on uneven terrain. Its modest 8.3-inch clearance and longer wheelbase resulted in frequent contact with the ground, and its H-Trac all-wheel-drive system occasionally hesitated when asked to find traction on steep, rutted hill climbs. Meanwhile, the Passport TrailSport dominated steep inclines effortlessly thanks to its superior 23-degree approach angle and rapid i-VTM4 torque-vectoring rear axle.
In the Cabin
Inside, buyer priorities shift toward tech, comfort, and ergonomics:
Subaru Outback Wilderness: Features a clear 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen and durable StarTex or optional Nappa leather seating. While storage is plentiful, the driving position feels slightly high and cramped compared to its rivals.
Hyundai Santa Fe XRT: Offers a luxurious atmosphere with a flawless 12.3-inch infotainment display, generous second- and third-row space, and ample USB-C charging points.
Honda Passport TrailSport Elite: Combines a 12.3-inch touchscreen, physical climate control knobs, perforated leather, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system, delivering an exceptionally quiet, refined long-distance cruising cabin.
Bang Per Buck
When looking at overall value, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT wins on price, coming in thousands cheaper than its competitors while offering a generous list of standard features. The Subaru Outback Wilderness offers competitive entry pricing, though upgrading to premium interior packages adds notable cost. The Honda Passport TrailSport Elite sits at the higher end of the pricing spectrum, though buyers can opt for the standard TrailSport trim to secure the same core off-road hardware for significantly less.
And the Winner Is . . .
While the Subaru excels in pure ground clearance and the Hyundai wins on budget-friendly everyday utility, the Honda Passport TrailSport emerges as the overall champion of this test. It strikes the perfect balance, offering composed, car-like manners on the highway alongside genuine composure and rapid torque vectoring when tackling challenging dirt trails.
Are you ready to elevate your weekend adventures with a capable, family-friendly SUV that handles both daily commuting and backcountry exploration with absolute confidence? Visit your local dealership today to test-drive the award-winning Honda Passport TrailSport and take the first step toward your next great journey.
