The boring formula wins again: how Honda Passport beat Toyota at its own game

© A. Krivonosov

The most reliable new SUV of 2026 is not a Toyota. According to Consumer Reports, the top spot went to the Honda Passport with a predicted reliability score of 97 out of 100.

For a freshly redesigned model, that’s a rare outcome. After a generation change, ratings usually dip because of new components, electronics and the first-year teething problems — but the Passport went the other way. Honda kept the proven 3.5-liter V6, walked away from the idea of a small turbo engine and replaced the troublesome 9-speed gearbox of the previous years with a new 10-speed automatic.

The previous Passport had a rocky scorecard: 83 points for the 2022 model, then 35, 50 and 33 points for the 2023–2025 versions. The new Passport jumped sharply to 97. Consumer Reports explains it as a combination of proven engineering and surgical updates: a familiar but refined engine, a stiffer chassis and suspension, new infotainment, and a deliberate attempt to fix the old weak spots.

Rivals fell far behind. The Toyota Crown Signia scored 77, the Chevrolet Blazer — 47, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — 43, the Nissan Murano — 41, and the Mazda CX-70 — 32. For some competitors, the issues come down to electronics, build quality and new powertrains.

The Passport is not the most luxurious, not the fastest, and not the most high-tech SUV in its class. But for a buyer choosing a car for the long haul, that boring formula is often worth more than a flashy presentation. Reliability has beaten unnecessary complexity once again.