Situated at the lower end of the midsize SUV range, the 2023 Honda Passport is a two-row vehicle in a market dominated by three-row competitors. Its length of 189.1 inches places it squarely between the carmaker’s new-larger Pilot and its small CR-V. The Passport and its three trim levels—EX-L, Trailsport, and Elite—see no modifications for 2023 after a significant redesign last year. There are even fewer combinations but only three trims. All-wheel drive (AWD) and a 3.5-liter V6 engine are standard on every Passport, but the trim levels set each model apart.
While three-row midsize vehicles like the Pilot, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Highlander are the most popular, two-row vehicles like the Passport, Chevrolet Blazer, and Ford Edge can offer comparable or even more room and practicality in a smaller footprint if you don’t need a third row. These vehicles don’t have to sacrifice cargo holds or second-row space to accommodate a way back seat. The Passport has 89% more cargo capacity than the new 2023 Pilot, even though it is physically over a foot shorter.
The entry-level Passport model, the $42,445 EX-L (with a $1,345 destination fee), is more expensive than the base Blazer or Telluride but still has many features. For example, it has an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, a powered tailgate, and selectable drive modes. Next in line is the $44,945 TrailSport, an “off-road lite” option with roof rails for your gear, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and distinctive bumpers. The $47,905 Elite has even more frills and is at the top of the list.
The basic V6 engine of the Passport produces a robust 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It can pull up to 5,000 pounds when paired with an automatic gearbox with nine speeds. The engine provides steady, dependable power without startling the deceased or surprising the passengers with its rapid acceleration. The 4,200-pound SUV might almost be fun to drive if you choose the “Sport” drive mode on the push-button drive mode selector, but the Passport is more concerned with getting you where you’re going quietly and comfortably than with having fun.
This also applies to the TrailSport, which has 8.1 inches of ground clearance and good terrain settings but mediocre off-road prowess despite its aggressive flares and all-terrain tires. The Passport is expected to get a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg (19 city, 24 highway) when unloaded. Although this economy is limited, it is comparable to the Passport’s competitors since a similarly equipped Blazer only gets 24 mpg overall. Unlike the CR-V or Highlander, no hybrid drivetrain is available for the Passport.
Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are standard safety features. With modern front and side airbags that provide rollover protection, passengers will undoubtedly appreciate this feature. Similar to the driving experience, the interior is cozy yet uninteresting. The Honda cabin is roomy in two rows and does an excellent job of its task. The Passport is built with the usual Honda robustness and accomplishes several things well. The issue is that too many feature-rich, dynamic, and spacious three-row rivals are available at this price point.
Performance: Honda Passport
The competition, which at the very least provides a comparable engine as an optional extra, is not as intense as Honda’s V6. The optional V6 in the Blazer, for instance, generates 308 horsepower. Toyota maintains comparable numbers this year despite using fewer motors. A brand-new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces torque of 309 lb-ft and 265 horsepower. The comparably antiquated V6 engine in the Kia Telluride produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
This V6 is not overbearing; its performance, sound system, or fuel-efficiency will never astound drivers. The Passport won’t topple over during sharp turns, even if there is considerable body roll. It accelerates as quickly as its two-ton frame would allow it to. It won’t frighten, but it also won’t thrill. Driving a quiet, pleasant Honda is a testament to the brand’s robust construction. Customers can count on a reliable and enjoyable ride from Honda’s Passport SUV series.
The wider tires on the TrailSport provide additional cushioning off the main route, and Honda manages to make the somewhat enormous Passport handle just as well as the competition. However, off-road fanatics won’t be satisfied with Honda’s “off-road lite” strategy. Just 8.1 inches of ground clearance is sufficient, and there is a significant risk due to the absence of underbody protection.
Consequently, this off-road vehicle is more appropriate for dirt or woodland paths than strenuous bouldering. A few other rivals, such as the Kia Sorento X-Line, use a similar strategy. The updated Pilot TrailSport from Honda is significantly more competent if you have an off-road vehicle, but it will cost a little more. For this vehicle, a comparable TrailSport upgrade is probably in the works.
Fuel Efficiency
The Passport achieves mediocre fuel efficiency for its class for a car with a large, non-turbocharged V6 and standard all-wheel drive, although hybrid competitors outperform it. Honda achieves 21 mpg combined (19 cities, 24 highways), whereas the AWD Highlander Hybrid achieves 35 mpg combined (in both city and highway estimations). When outfitted similarly with V6 engines and all-wheel drive, competing gas-powered vehicles such as the Ford Edge, Chevy Blazer, and Kia Telluride provide results comparable to the Passport’s fuel efficiency.
Driver assistance and safety:
Regarding driver assistance, Honda does better than some of its competitors. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, frontal collision warning systems, and adaptive cruise control are all included in Honda Sensing, the brand’s standard safety package. Regarding adaptive cruise control functionality, Honda surpasses its Japanese competitors, handily defeating Toyota’s erratic and somewhat antiquated technology and the Mazda CX-9’s lack of lane centering.
As previously noted, airbags are a standard feature for passport holders. The Passport receives a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and its superb airbag accommodations. Furthermore, the Passport has “good” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in almost every category. However, it achieved an “acceptable” grade in the IIHS’ passenger-side small overlap front collision test.
Comfort and Room:
Honda has become a lot better in designing seats overall, and the Passport also benefits from this understanding. All models come with cozy, supportive chairs that quickly absorb long stretches of driving. Though to a little lesser extent, the back seats narrate much the same tale.
Some people could overlook the third row in the competition. However, there is a sizable cargo hold and cabin behind the second row due to the lost seats. The Passport’s internal capacity is a total of 157.1 cubic feet. Trailing after with 107.8 cubic feet is the Blazer. Like the Blazer, the Highlander weighs 139.5 cubic feet less than the Passport.
With its roomy interior, large doors for accommodating bulky car seats, and all the belongings a family of four would want to bring on vacation, families shouldn’t have any qualms with the Passport. Most materials in the back will withstand abuse from dogs and toddlers, and ISOFIX mounts are conveniently accessible. With 40.9 inches of legroom in the front and 39.6 in the back—tied with the Blazer in the latter category—it carries both persons and objects equally effectively. Rear visibility is 38.2 inches for the significantly bigger Jeep Grand Cherokee and 40.6 inches for the Ford Edge. With 42.4, the Telluride has the most back legroom of any vehicle.
Infotainment: Honda Passport
In this particular area, Korea is at least a leader in infotainment. Although the eight-inch touchscreen on the Honda Telluride is fully operational, the Kia Telluride’s system is more recent, more user-friendly, responsive, and more beneficial than the Honda’s. Since the Blazer’s system is equally tiny and responsive, it compares considerably better. Like its competitors, the Passport has two USB ports per row and comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The audio system for the TrailSport and EX-L variants has eight speakers. Like most sound systems in this category, it is very acceptable. Nevertheless, the 10-speaker system with a subwoofer that brings the experience to life is a perk of the Elite trim’s pinnacle.
Honda includes a modest customization into the gauge cluster with the all-digital display. The top of the SUV has a tachometer, and below is a section that can be customized to show vehicle information, navigational instructions, and other settings. Although not very innovative, Honda’s technology operates smoothly and has easily accessible and readable controls. The same is true of the temperature settings, which are thankfully wholly tactile instead of partially or entirely confined to a screen as they are on the Telluride.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The Passport has a sizable center storage compartment large enough for purses, water bottles, or other hand-held goods you may want to keep out of sight. A sub-trunk in the back helps make up for the lost third row. Honda states the overall load space behind the second row is 41.2 cubic feet. When you fold it down, the figure becomes 77.7 feet tall. Competitive models like the Blazer achieve 64.2 cubic feet of space behind the front seats, while the Telluride and Highlander (more prominent on the outside) reach 84.3 and 87 cubic feet, respectively.
In addition, there is a phone holder in front and a wireless charging pad in front of the cupholders, which can accommodate most cups of liquids. Honda manages to fit eight cupholders in the Passport overall.
Design: Honda Passport
The Passport is essentially a two-row, shorter version of the previous generation Pilot. Its boxy shape defines its appearance, and its broad front face, flanked by smaller headlamps, tries to keep it modern and stylish. The Passport will end up lost in a parking lot somewhere in America among all the other midsized black, grey, and white SUVs.
This isn’t inherently bad since the Passport is a workhorse that gains from understated design. The Passport has a good-looking shape that displays nicely without being too outgoing. This and the Telluride are equally attractive, yet the Telluride’s features and proportions are superior. Most people will likely find the TrailSport trim and optional HPD package to lend some roughness to the overall appearance.
Although the build quality is pretty robust, it is typical of a Honda. The inside is bland. Even though the test vehicle has just 4,000 miles, nothing rattles, and the materials seem resilient to wear. Overall, the Passport fulfills expectations regarding appearance, fit, and quality.
Is The 2023 Honda Passport Worth It?
With a long list of standard features and specs, the Passport TrailSport—which retails for $44,945, including destination—will provide most consumers with the most outstanding value in terms of price and specs.
Honda injects some mild off-road capabilities into a market area where its customers often utilize it for “adventurous” purposes, and it does it in a sturdy, dependable, and appealing manner. The larger track in this model indicates some minor mechanical adjustments, although off-road, it hardly matters. The new Firestone Destination tires and visual enhancements almost make up for what someone might spend on aftermarket wheels and tires alone.
The Honda’s comfort and quality are difficult to criticize, but remember that this is not a genuine off-road vehicle. Most casual travelers and their families can go as far as they feel comfortable on the A/T tires, provided new owners do not damage the delicate bumpers.
Even if the Passport checks all but a third row of boxes, this isn’t inexpensive. The TrailSport is up against the Highlander Hybrid XLE ($43,155), Kia Telluride EX ($42,855), Subaru Ascent Limited ($42,820), and the highest-end Blazer models ($44,195).
Additionally, Passport Elite is available for $47,905 with the destination. The most abundant trim level general is an enhanced 10-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, heated front seats, heated rear seats outdoors, and acoustic glass. However, this trim level equals the newly introduced Pilot Touring and is $1,900 less than the Pilot TrailSport.
How Much Does Honda Passport Insurance Cost?
The cost of auto insurance for the Passport is low. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record on the TrailSport is $1,839, which applies to all 50 states. In contrast, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited costs $2,155, the Chevrolet Blazer RS costs $2,130, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road costs $2,017, and the Nissan Pathfinder SV costs $2,102.
Honda Passport Generations
Third Generation
2018 to Present
After a fifteen-year break, the third-generation Passport debuted as a 2019 model year car. Despite having only two seats, it resembles the completely redesigned three-row Pilot from 2016.
Second Generation
1998 to 2002
The Passport of the second generation was longer overall but had a smaller wheelbase. A 205 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine propelled it. There was a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox to choose from. A spare tire was mounted on the back of the standard LX trim, but it was hidden beneath the rear cargo floor of the more expensive EX model. 2002, Honda ended its collaboration with Isuzu in the United States and canceled the passport. For the 2003 model year, the Passport was replaced by the midsize Honda Pilot SUV.
First Generation
1994 to 1997
Honda added the Passport to its portfolio for the 1994 model year to enter the rapidly expanding SUV industry. In the US, the Honda Passport outlived the comparably sized CR-V by three years, and it was essentially an Isuzu Rodeo under a new name. It was available from Honda with two- or four-wheel drive.
Verdict
Since it didn’t need changes, the newly updated Honda Passport remains unchanged for the 2023 model year. TrailSport mode combines ample space, practicality, and reliable features to create an SUV worthy of the moniker. Nevertheless, the top-spec Elite trim of the Passport isn’t as luxurious as other similarly priced competitors, most of which have three rows of seats, and it begins more than $5,000 more expensive than its Korean competitors. The TrailSport is a competent weekend explorer in a market dominated by people with active lives, even if it isn’t a hardened off-roader, thanks to modifications like all-terrain tires.
