Honda Passport vs. Subaru Outback vs. Hyundai Santa Fe: The Ultimate Soft-Roader Off-Road Showdown
For the past ten years evaluating automotive trends, I’ve watched the automotive market shift dramatically. Traditional body-on-frame SUVs have taken a back seat to a booming phenomenon: rugged, adventure-ready soft-roaders. American buyers are constantly searching for vehicles that combine daily commuter comfort with protective plastic body cladding, factory suspension lifts, and meaty all-terrain tires. These rugged crossovers promise genuine capability when the asphalt ends, making them exceptionally popular from bustling urban centers to remote trailheads.
To see how far these adventure-trimmed models can truly go, we took a trio of unibody crossovers—the Honda Passport TrailSport, Subaru Outback Wilderness, and Hyundai Santa Fe XRT—deep into the Pennsylvania wilderness. Evaluating these vehicles requires looking past aggressive styling to examine how they handle real-world challenges, on-road dynamics, interior packaging, and overall value.
The Contenders
Each automaker approaches the soft-roader formula differently, blending everyday practicality with distinct outdoor hardware enhancements.
2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru has long mastered all-wheel-drive utility. Capitalizing on the global overlanding trend, the Outback Wilderness introduces higher ground clearance, aggressive protective cladding, and chunky all-terrain rubber on 17-inch wheels. Powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine making 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, power flows through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired with Subaru’s proprietary X-Mode torque-vectoring system.
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite
Honda’s two-row mid-size SUV has matured into a handsome, squared-off package. The TrailSport trim brings 8.3 inches of ground clearance, 18-inch wheels wrapped in General Grabber all-terrain tires, a revised all-wheel-drive system, and heavy-duty steel underbody protection. Under the hood lies a tried-and-true 3.5-liter V-6 delivering 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
Hyundai’s boxy three-row crossover pushes the boundaries of family SUV versatility. Equipped with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, terrain-specific drive modes, and Continental TerrainContact tires on 18-inch wheels, the Santa Fe XRT means business. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four churns out 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque—the highest output in this test—routed through an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
Where We Tested
Starting our journey in the dense grid of Brooklyn, New York, we navigated city potholes before hitting Interstate 78 toward New Jersey. Because public off-road recreation spaces are heavily restricted along the Eastern Seaboard, our destination was the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Township, Pennsylvania. Spanning 8,000 acres, this rugged park features steep inclines, deep mud holes, and rocky terrain that thoroughly tests unibody crossovers.
On the Road Performance
Despite their rugged aesthetic, eating highway miles and running errands remain the primary duties for these crossovers. Daily drivability is critical, and none of these models force drivers to compromise with unwanted steering wander, bouncing suspension, or excessive wind noise.
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT benefits from the lightest off-road modifications, resulting in stellar on-road manners. Weighing around 4,400 pounds, its light steering and responsive pedals make urban navigation effortless. On the open highway, the 2.5-liter turbo engine provides smooth, quiet power delivery. The eight-speed automatic shifts seamlessly, and cabin insulation keeps outside noise to a bare minimum. While predictable and composed, its driving character leans slightly clinical.
The Subaru Outback Wilderness acts as the high-energy contender. Boasting 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a stiffened suspension, and a trim 3,973-pound curb weight, it feels nimble at low speeds but less settled than its heavier rivals at highway velocity. Mountain driving highlights its responsive flat-four engine, though acceleration can occasionally suffer from momentary turbo lag and CVT rubber-banding.
The Honda Passport TrailSport relies on displacement rather than forced induction, featuring a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers a satisfying soundtrack up to its 6,100 rpm redline. Paired with a responsive 10-speed automatic, power delivery feels immediate and confident. Weighing 4,700 pounds, the Passport is the largest vehicle in the test, yet its steering precision and suspension tuning strike an exceptional balance between highway comfort and responsive handling.
Off-Road Capabilities
None of these soft-roaders feature heavy-duty mechanical locking center differentials or two-speed transfer cases; instead, they rely on clutch-pack torque distribution and brake-based traction management. Yet, putting them through rigorous trail tests revealed stark differences in capability.
Subaru Outback Wilderness: Thanks to its class-leading 9.5-inch ground clearance and adaptive dampers, the Outback clears obstacles that force other crossovers to scrape. However, its conservative electronic nannies—particularly X-Mode’s aggressive hill-descent limits—can occasionally hinder momentum in tricky, slick environments.
Honda Passport TrailSport: Though it sits lower at 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the Passport features robust steel underbody skid plates. Its i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system transfers power instantly, allowing it to conquer steep, rutted hill climbs and deep water crossings with minimal drama.
Hyundai Santa Fe XRT: While the Santa Fe handles light dirt roads easily, its H-Trac AWD system occasionally hesitated during demanding low-speed traction tests, requiring extra throttle discipline to clear deep ruts and obstacles.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Inside the cabin, buyers in this segment demand modern refinement, smartphone connectivity, and clever storage solutions.
Subaru Outback Wilderness: Features a horizontal 12.1-inch touchscreen, comfortable StarTex or optional nappa leather seating, and excellent physical climate buttons. The driving position feels slightly upright, and cabin width is tighter than its competitors.
Hyundai Santa Fe XRT: Offers a luxurious atmosphere with expansive digital screens, a seamless 12.3-inch infotainment interface, abundant USB-C ports across all three rows, and impressive passenger space. However, its unorthodox column stalk shifter takes time to master.
Honda Passport TrailSport Elite: Combines a straightforward 12.3-inch touchscreen, physical knobs for climate controls, perforated leather seating, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system. While passenger dimensions are slightly more compact, the cabin remains exceptionally quiet during long cruises.
Value and Pricing
Pricing plays a massive role for family buyers evaluating adventure trims:
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT serves as the value champion, offering extensive standard features at a significantly lower price point than its rivals.
The Subaru Outback Wilderness keeps base pricing competitive, though adding upgraded multimedia displays and luxury packages increases the final cost.
The Honda Passport TrailSport Elite commands a higher price tag near $54,000, though buyers prioritizing pure off-road capability over premium leather upholstery can opt for the standard TrailSport trim for substantial savings.
And the Winner Is…
Choosing among these rugged soft-roaders depends on whether you prioritize urban value, maximum ground clearance, or overall engineering poise. While the Subaru excels in raw clearance and the Hyundai delivers unmatched cabin space and value, the Honda Passport TrailSport stands out as the ultimate winner. It effortlessly bridges the gap between rugged aesthetic appeal and genuine capability, offering confident handling, a refined powertrain, and unflappable composure both on the highway and deep on the trail.
If you are ready to elevate your weekend adventures without sacrificing daily comfort, visit your local dealership today to test-drive the Honda Passport TrailSport and experience uncompromising versatility firsthand.
