Honda Passport

• Overview

  

  Although the Honda Passport was quite a popular SUV throughout the 1990s, those models are a far cry from the gorgeous and impressive vehicles you can find today. First released for the 1994 model year, the original Honda Passport was actually a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo delivered as part of a partnership between the two car companies. In the mid-1990s, Isuzu had stopped making passenger cars, and Honda wanted to get in on the growing SUV market but didn’t want to take the time to develop one. The result was an agreement between the two companies for Isuzu to offer some rebranded Honda cars and for Honda to sell the Passport based on the Rodeo.

  It was a great partnership that worked well for both companies, which ultimately gave Honda the time they needed to develop their own SUVs. The Passport even received a second generation for the 1998 model year, coinciding with improvements to the Isuzu Rodeo, including a redesign that made for a more impressive overall ride. With the introduction of the Honda Pilot in 2002, however, Honda discontinued the Passport so that they could focus on new vehicles that they had developed. For nearly 20 years, that was the last we heard about the Passport until Honda decided it was time for this great vehicle to make a return as an entirely new midsize SUV starting with the 2019 model year.

  Now, the Passport is back and better than ever as a key part of the modern Honda lineup—and it's the perfect example of how far the auto industry has come over the last couple of decades. The modern Honda Passport was designed here in the US, where it is also built, and it takes some design cues from the larger Pilot. The Passport has remained a midsize SUV and has two rows of seating, unlike the three-row Pilot with whom it shares a lot of features. Ultimately, the story of the Passport is, in many ways, the story of both Honda and the auto industry in how it has changed and grown over the years. Today, it remains a popular option with a lot to offer, making it a fantastic choice for a wide range of drivers.

  280

  Horsepower (hp)

  262

  Torque (lb-ft)

  100.7

  Max. Cargo (cu.ft.)

  Starting at

  $41,900^[a]

• 2019

  

   

  After a long hiatus from being discontinued following the 2002 model year, the Honda Passport returns for 2019 as an entirely new vehicle. No longer a rebadged version of another company’s SUV, this Passport is all-Honda and based on the popular Pilot, which is a larger, three-row model. It utilizes the same impressive engine found in the Pilot: a 3.5L V6 engine that delivers 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, making it a lot of fun to drive. This is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission—and while front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive (AWD) system is available for terrific traction and control.

  As a two-row model, the Honda Passport has room inside for five passengers to pile in and everyone to be comfortable, making this a terrific choice for families or groups of friends. You get plenty of room inside to take advantage of, too, ensuring that your passengers can stretch out while making long road trips more enjoyable for everyone. There is also a terrific amount of room inside for the stuff you need to bring along with you, thanks to more than 41 cu.ft. of rear cargo space behind the back seats or about 78 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats.

  Inside the 2019 Honda Passport, you will find plenty of impressive comfort features and great technology for you to enjoy while on the road. An available 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display is perfect for listening to music or keeping track of where you are located while driving. Push-button start with keyless entry is standard on every Passport model, along with a six-speaker sound system and three-zone climate control to ensure you and all your passengers get the most from every drive. Perhaps best of all, the Passport comes with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety technology as standard in every model, which includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System and more.

• 2022

  

   

  For the 2022 model year, Honda learned from the feedback since the release of the 2019 model and has given the Passport a well-earned facelift and update. While not a full redesign, this is a significant revision in the midst of its third generation (still the same generation from its return after a 16-year hiatus). In terms of performance, it remains much the same as the previous years, which is fine because it already had a terrific engine. An adventurous new TrailSport trim level is perfect if you are interested in a Passport to take off-road or to get you to your favorite campsite with ease.

  The biggest update for 2022 is a gorgeous facelift that gives the Passport a bolder and more rugged appearance, well deserved by this great midsize SUV. This facelift includes a more impressive front grille, front and rear bumpers that are sturdier than the previous years, and more refined proportions that are at once stronger and more sophisticated. The facelift also affects the new TrailSport trim, which has wider front and rear tracks for added stability and capability when going off-road.

  While an impressive 8.0-inch infotainment display was available for the 2019 model year, it was made standard starting with the 2021 model, which continues for 2022. A whole host of impressive features are available for this year’s Passport, including a power moonroof, hands-free power liftgate, and heated front and rear seats. You can get leather-trimmed seating for an added touch of style, along with a heated steering wheel and even a wireless device charger to make recharging your smartphone easier and clutter-free.

• 2024

  

   

  Still, in its impressive third generation, the Honda Passport enjoys another facelift for the 2024 model year, though it is a modest one. Not as dramatic as what we saw just a couple of years ago, the 2024 Passport has some revised styling and changes to details that can be easy to overlook but still make a gorgeous statement. Powered by a 280-hp V6 engine, performance remains as impressive as always with the 2024 Passport, though every model now comes with Honda’s i-VTM4 AWD system. The TrailSport model remains your top choice if you are interested in off-road performance, but every model can handle rough conditions quite well.

  Speaking of which, the TrailSport has received some updates for 2024 that you will only find on this particular trim. These include impressive 18-inch wheels wrapped in new all-terrain tires that have been chosen to greatly enhance traction and grip when you are out on the trail, along with a new off-road tuned suspension with improved springs and enhanced shock absorbers. These make for a fantastic experience when you are on the trail, with improved articulation over previous years—plus, the impressive new tires give the TrailSport greater track width for superior stability when you need it most.

  The 2024 Passport also has an all-new top-tier trim level: the Black Edition, which features a gorgeous interior combined with remarkable features. The Black Edition has 20-inch wheels and comes with Intelligent Traction Management that is perfect for dealing with snow, mud, and rough weather. Inside, the Black Edition features leather-trimmed seats, a one-touch power moonroof, a ten-speaker premium sound system, a wireless phone charger, and much more. The Black Edition also comes with the most comprehensive version of the Honda Sensing safety technologies, including a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor, and more. This is the ultimate expression of luxury for the Honda Passport, and it delivers a fantastic driving experience.

The Honda Passport at Ralph Honda