West Michigan's Best Adventure SUVs: Honda CR-V and Passport for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Your guide to choosing the perfect Honda SUV for every trail, lake, and weekend getaway across West Michigan - brought to you by Serra Honda Grandville, Michigan's #1 Volume Honda Dealer.
West Michigan is one of the most outdoor-friendly regions in the Midwest. From the dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail connecting Grand Rapids to Cadillac, the opportunities for adventure are virtually limitless. Whether you're loading kayaks for a paddle on the Grand River, hauling mountain bikes to Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, or packing camping gear for a weekend at Hoffmaster State Park, the vehicle you drive matters. That's where the Honda CR-V and Honda Passport come in - two of the most versatile and capable SUVs on the road today, each built to support active West Michigan lifestyles.
At Serra Honda Grandville, we've helped thousands of West Michigan drivers - from Grand Rapids and Grandville to Rockford, Ada, Muskegon, and beyond - find the Honda that matches how they live. In this guide, we'll take a deep dive into the Honda CR-V and Honda Passport to help you decide which adventure SUV is right for your next outdoor chapter.
Why West Michigan Drivers Need an Adventure-Ready SUV
Michigan's unpredictable four-season weather adds another layer of importance. From icy winter highways to muddy spring trails and rain-soaked fall campgrounds, West Michigan drivers need an SUV that delivers confident all-wheel drive performance, generous cargo space for gear, and the fuel efficiency to make every adventure affordable.
The Honda CR-V: The Versatile Adventurer
The Honda CR-V strikes an ideal balance between everyday drivability and weekend adventure readiness. For drivers who want a daily commuter that can turn into a weekend explorer, the CR-V is a strong match.
Engine and Performance
- CR-V (gas): 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder with smooth CVT and available all-wheel drive.
- CR-V Hybrid: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with Honda's two-motor hybrid system producing 204 horsepower, available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
- Fuel economy (Hybrid AWD): Up to 40 city / 34 highway / 37 combined MPG.
The All-New CR-V TrailSport: Built for the Trail
New for 2026, the CR-V TrailSport is Honda's most trail-ready compact SUV ever - and the first TrailSport model to feature a hybrid powertrain.
Key TrailSport features include:
- All-terrain Continental CrossContact tires (235-wide) for enhanced grip in mud, gravel, and light off-road terrain
- Updated traction management that can split torque 50/50 between front and rear
- Standard all-wheel drive with enhanced low-speed logic and traction management under 9 mph
- Hill-descent control for controlled speed on steep declines
- Exclusive Ash Green paint option and signature TrailSport accents
TrailSport fuel economy: EPA-estimated 38 city / 33 highway / 35 combined MPG.
Cargo Space for Every Adventure
- 39 cubic feet behind the second row
- Up to 77 cubic feet with rear seats folded
Safety Technology: Honda Sensing
Every CR-V comes standard with Honda Sensing, including:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
- Road Departure Mitigation
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Who Is the CR-V Best For?
- Active professionals who want an easy daily driver that can handle weekend gear and Michigan winters
- Growing families who want safety, AWD confidence, and space for strollers, sports equipment, and camping supplies
- Eco-conscious drivers who want excellent fuel economy without sacrificing adventure capability
- Trail-curious explorers who want TrailSport traction upgrades for light off-road outings
The Honda Passport: The Rugged Trailblazer
If the CR-V is the versatile adventurer, the Honda Passport is the rugged trailblazer - a midsize SUV engineered for drivers who push farther into the backcountry and need more power, ground clearance, and towing capability. Completely redesigned for 2026, the Passport is positioned as Honda's most off-road-ready SUV yet.
Engine and Powertrain
- 3.5-liter V-6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Standard i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive
Off-Road Capability
- 8.3 inches of ground clearance
- 23-degree approach angle and 27-degree departure angle
- Trail Info display (pitch, roll, elevation, compass)
- Seven drive modes: Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, Tow
The Passport TrailSport: Honda's Off-Road Champion
- 275/60R-18 General Grabber all-terrain tires (largest tires ever fitted to any Honda)
- Retuned suspension for improved articulation and off-road travel
- Underbody skid plates for added protection
- Recovery hooks and available rock sliders for trail protection
- TrailWatch camera system for improved obstacle visibility
- Standard trailer hitch with seven-pin connector (TrailSport models)
Towing and Cargo Capacity
- Max towing: 5,000 pounds when properly equipped
- Cargo space: 44 cubic feet behind rear seats, up to 83 cubic feet with seats folded
- Standard Trailer Stability Assist and Tow mode
Safety Technology: Honda Sensing
Honda Sensing comes standard on every Passport trim, including:
- Collision Mitigation Braking
- Road Departure Mitigation
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Driver Attention Monitor
Who Is the Passport Best For?
- Serious outdoor adventurers who regularly use unpaved roads to reach remote trailheads and campgrounds
- Boaters and campers who need 5,000-pound towing capability for trailers, boats, and gear
- Families who want space, safety, and torque-vectoring AWD confidence
- Drivers who want V-6 power for hauling and steep terrain
CR-V vs. Passport: Which Adventure SUV Is Right for You?
Choosing between the CR-V and Passport depends on how you adventure. Here is a quick comparison (table alternative):
- Engine: CR-V Hybrid AWD (204 hp) vs Passport AWD (285 hp V-6)
- Transmission: CR-V Hybrid eCVT vs Passport 10-speed automatic
- AWD system: CR-V Real Time AWD vs Passport i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD
- Fuel economy: CR-V Hybrid AWD up to 40/34/37 MPG vs Passport about 19/25 MPG
- Cargo: CR-V 39 cu. ft. (77 max) vs Passport 44 cu. ft. (83 max)
- Ground clearance: CR-V standard ride height vs Passport 8.3 inches
- Max towing: CR-V 1,500 lbs vs Passport 5,000 lbs
- TrailSport availability: CR-V Hybrid only vs Passport V-6 with all-terrain tires
- Off-road modes: CR-V Snow, Hill Descent vs Passport Trail, Sand, Snow, Tow, Sport
Choose the CR-V if you prioritize fuel efficiency, want a hybrid powertrain, and enjoy light trails and outdoor activities close to home.
Choose the Passport if you need V-6 power, towing capability, greater ground clearance, and the confidence to explore farther off the beaten path.
West Michigan Adventures Waiting for You
Here are a few outdoor destinations within easy reach of Serra Honda Grandville that pair perfectly with a CR-V or Passport:
- Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Yankee Springs State Recreation Area
- Bass River State Recreation Area
- P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
- Grand River and Lake Michigan shoreline adventures
Why Serra Honda Grandville Is Your Adventure Headquarters
When you're ready to find your next adventure SUV, there's no better place to start than Serra Honda Grandville. We serve drivers across the region, including Grand Rapids, Grandville, Wyoming, Jenison, Hudsonville, Allendale, Ada, Rockford, Muskegon, and beyond.
- No pressure, just helpful advice: clear, transparent guidance from a team that respects your time
- Massive selection: browse new CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V TrailSport, and Passport options online
- Honda Certified Pre-Owned options: browse CPO inventory for budget-friendly adventure builds
- Expert service department: keep your SUV ready for the next season of trips
- Easy online tools: get pre-approved, value your trade, and explore inventory from home
Get pre-approved for financing
Location: 4260 Kenowa Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 AM-7 PM | Friday 9 AM-6 PM | Saturday 9 AM-3 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda CR-V good for off-road driving in Michigan?
The Honda CR-V with AWD is well-suited for Michigan winter roads, gravel paths, and light off-road excursions. The 2026 CR-V TrailSport adds all-terrain tires and an enhanced traction management system that can split torque 50/50 between front and rear wheels for more confidence on unpaved surfaces.
Can the Honda Passport handle serious off-road terrain?
Yes. The 2026 Passport TrailSport includes 8.3 inches of ground clearance, a 23-degree approach angle, all-terrain tires, retuned off-road suspension, skid plates, and i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD, plus Trail and Sand drive modes and a Trail Info display.
What is the fuel economy of the Honda CR-V Hybrid?
The 2026 CR-V Hybrid achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy up to 43 city / 36 highway / 40 combined (FWD) and 40 city / 34 highway / 37 combined (AWD). The CR-V Hybrid TrailSport achieves 38 city / 33 highway / 35 combined.
How much can the Honda Passport tow?
The 2026 Honda Passport has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. It also includes Trailer Stability Assist and a Tow mode.
Does the Honda CR-V or Passport have better safety ratings?
Both perform well in safety testing and both include Honda Sensing standard. The Passport earned strong ratings in major crashworthiness categories, and the CR-V earned strong ratings in multiple crash tests and safety categories as well.
Which Honda SUV is better for camping and hauling gear?
It depends on what you're hauling. The CR-V offers 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row (77 max), while the Passport offers 44 cubic feet behind the rear seats (83 max). If you're towing, the Passport's 5,000-pound capacity far exceeds the CR-V's 1,500-pound limit.
Where can I test drive the Honda CR-V or Passport near Grand Rapids?
You can test drive both at Serra Honda Grandville at 4260 Kenowa Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418. Contact our team to schedule a time that works for you.
