2019 Honda Passport First Drive
2019 Honda Passport First Drive
This Shorter, Taller Two-Row Pilot Is a Winning Combination
Honda already holds Edmunds' top-ranked spot among compact SUVs with the CR-V, as of this writing. The Pilot is also on our list as the top-ranked three-row midsize SUV. But Honda didn't have a regular midsize SUV until now. It chopped 6 inches off the back of the Pilot and pulled out the third row to create a new two-row midsize SUV that it named the Honda Passport.
What Is It?
Although the 2019 Honda Passport is derived from the Pilot, it has a distinctive look and feel. Based on the same light-truck platform (also shared with the Ridgeline), the Passport is 6.2 inches shorter lengthwise than the Pilot, and it sits 0.8 inch higher. It's also got a unique grille, some black plastic cladding and a different front fascia. Extra ground clearance, stiffer springs, upgraded shocks, and improved approach and departure angles make the Passport a better off-roader. A comfortable cabin, lots of standard and optional safety equipment, and a strong powerplant make it an excellent daily driver, too.What's It Like To Drive?
Under the hood, the Passport gets a 3.5-liter V6 (280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque) that's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is more than adequate for freeway on-ramps and highway passing, and it provides good low-end power for low-speed city driving. Mashing the gas results in a pretty satisfying growl, and shifts from the nine-speed are smooth at full throttle.Steering and handling are surprisingly good for a vehicle this large. Due no doubt to the stiffer springs and upgraded shocks, the Passport's ride quality is a bit bouncier than that of the Pilot, but it's still smooth on the highway. Those stiffer springs, however, also translate to better cornering ability, making the Passport a relatively agile midsize SUV.
How's the Interior?
On the inside, the Passport is quiet and spacious. The seats provide excellent support on long drives, and although they're relatively flat, they're comfortable in both rows. Depending on trim level, you can get seats that are heated and ventilated up front along with heating in the back. The cabin is awash in soft-touch surfaces, and a padded door panel means your knee won't get banged up after a lively jaunt.
Along with excellent cabin materials, the Passport boasts numerous clever storage spaces. The rear seat offers plenty of cupholders and cubbies, while the front seat has a giant center-console bin and an available wireless charging pad. The fold-up panel in the trunk reveals a removable plastic bin, which is great for storing muddy boots or dirty camping gear. Behind the 60/40-split folding rear seats, the Passport has 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space, putting it toward the top of the segment. And if you're interested in towing, the Passport has a competitive maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
What About Off-Road Performance?
The Passport is not a body-on-frame SUV with massive suspension articulation. It's not meant to climb cliffs or ford deep rivers. It will have a tough time out on the technical trails keeping up with vehicles such as the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk or the 4Runner TRD Off-Road. With optional all-wheel drive, however, it is sure-footed and capable in the mud, dirt, snow and ice. Its ground clearance is high enough to make it over most off-road obstacles. And even without knobby tires or a low-range gearbox, it can make it up (or down) relatively steep terrain. Thanks to independent suspension, the Passport is well-mannered and relatively smooth on long sections of washboard road.
With all-wheel drive (we tested the range-topping Elite model), Honda's traction management system allows you to select among four modes: Normal, Snow, Mud and Sand. These selections not only change the amount of power provided to each individual wheel but the throttle programming as well. When the wheels start to slip, the system can transfer power from front to back and from side to side, using active torque vectoring to deliver power rather than merely limiting it with the brakes. This ability is confidence-inspiring when you've reached the end of the beaten path or when you just hit really bad weather.
What Does It Come With?
The Passport is available in four trim levels — Sport, EX-L, Touring and Elite — which all come with the same V6 and nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on the Sport, EX-L and Touring. All-wheel drive is standard on the Elite and optional on the other three trim levels.
The base Sport trim gets 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, tri-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a seven-speaker audio system with a 5-inch center display screen and Bluetooth phone and audio. On top of that equipment, the EX-L adds features including a power liftgate, a power sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, two more USB ports, satellite radio, and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen for the center console.
The Touring comes with a few more creature comforts such as heated rear seats and a 10-speaker sound system, along with upgrades such as roof rails, a hands-free liftgate, front and rear parking sensors, a 115-volt power outlet and navigation. The top-level Elite trim — equipped with standard AWD and the Touring trim level's equipment — adds auto-dimming side mirrors, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, LED interior lighting, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Should I Buy One?
The 2019 Honda Passport offers an excellent combination of comfort and capability without breaking the bank. It beats out vehicles such as the Nissan Murano and the Ford Edge when it comes to off-road capability, and it overshadows the Toyota 4Runner when it comes to on-road comfort and in-car tech. If you're in the market for a midsize SUV, put this one right at the top of your short list.Pricing and Release Date
A base-level Passport Sport with front-wheel drive starts at an MSRP of $33,035, including destination. All-wheel drive pushes that price up to $34,935. The EX-L with two-wheel drive is $37,455 ($39,355 with AWD), and a Passport Touring is priced at $40,325 ($42,225 with AWD). A top-level Passport Elite checks in at $44,725. These are reasonable prices for the segment, especially when you consider the generous amount of equipment on each trim level and the Passport's overall quality. Expect to see the Passport at your local Honda dealer well before the end of 2019's first quarter.
Source:edmunds.com