Honda launched a free app on June 15 for owners of its 2026 Passport, Pilot, and CR-V TrailSport SUVs that pulls live sensor data from the vehicle and displays it on the touchscreen during off-road driving.
The app, called Honda Trail Experience and available as a free download from the Apple App Store, connects through Apple CarPlay. It sources 11 data points directly from factory sensors: elevation, pitch, roll, brake pressure, throttle position, speed, engine temperature, outside temperature, tire angle, and GPS coordinates. Drivers can select up to six of those readings to display at once on a customizable layout.
The HTX data display on a 2026 Passport TrailSport. Photo: Honda Motor Co.
The pitch and roll readings are the feature most useful for technical driving. Knowing a vehicle's angle of approach and side tilt in real time helps drivers assess terrain before committing to a line. That kind of feedback typically requires a dedicated aftermarket inclinometer; the app delivers it from the vehicle's existing hardware at no additional cost.
HTX also records trail footage through the iPhone camera. Honda says it is the only app that allows users to export video with data overlays applied, with map and performance data embedded in the recording. That claim has not been independently verified.
HTX is Honda's first off-road focused app, according to the company.
The app reflects more than a year of work by Honda engineers, including input from more than 1,500 owners of the 2026 Passport TrailSport.
Development came out of Honda's North American Automotive Development Center in Ohio, the same facility responsible for the 2026 Passport. The team tested an in-progress version in January 2026 at The Overland Company in Troy, North Carolina, running drivers at beginner, novice, and expert levels through the app on actual terrain. Honda said feedback from that session will shape near-term interface updates.
"With the launch of the Honda Trail Experience app, we're empowering TrailSport owners to get more from every off-road journey," said Omar Saleh, HTX Project Lead at Honda Development and Manufacturing of America.
Video recording is controlled from the vehicle's touchscreen, which means the iPhone does not need to be within reach during a run. Honda says the phone can be mounted on the dash, on the exterior, or held by someone watching from the trail. Still photo capture is also available.
A "Share Feedback" option within the app lets users send input directly to the Honda development team. The company described it as a channel for ongoing user input, rather than a static feature set.
HTX appears on the CarPlay home screen once installed. Photo: Honda Motor Co.
Limitations and availability
HTX is currently iOS-only. Honda said an Android version is planned but did not give a release date.
The app requires an iPhone connected via Apple CarPlay and does not function through Android Auto. Compatibility is listed for the 2026 Passport TrailSport, 2026 Pilot TrailSport, and 2026 CR-V TrailSport. Honda has not confirmed whether owners of earlier TrailSport models can use the app.
Frequently asked questions
What vehicles does the Honda Trail Experience app support?
Honda lists the 2026 Passport TrailSport, 2026 Pilot TrailSport, and 2026 CR-V TrailSport as compatible. Earlier model years are not mentioned in the launch materials.
Is the Honda Trail Experience app free?
Yes. HTX is available as a free download from the Apple App Store.
Does the HTX app work on Android?
Not at launch. Honda says an Android version is planned but has not announced a release date.
What data does the Honda Trail Experience app show?
HTX can display up to six of 11 data points at once, sourced from the vehicle's factory sensors: elevation, pitch, roll, brake pressure, throttle position, speed, engine temperature, outside temperature, tire angle, and GPS coordinates.
Do I need an iPhone to use HTX?
Yes. The app connects to the vehicle via Apple CarPlay and requires an iPhone. Android Auto is not supported.
Android support is planned but carries no announced release date; Honda has not confirmed compatibility with TrailSport models from the 2025 model year or earlier.
How we reported this
This article draws on the following primary source, accessed June 23, 2026:
- Honda Motor Co. press release — Honda corporate newsroom, June 15, 2026 — official announcement of the Honda Trail Experience (HTX) app, including feature specifications, development background, and vehicle compatibility. Feature claims attributed to Honda are the company's representations and have not been independently tested. The uniqueness claim for data-overlay video export is Honda's own characterization.