Honda revives an old name for a new 2019 model as the company fills a notable gap in its SUV and crossover lineup.
Passport was Honda's first-ever SUV model, a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo that Honda sold in the mid-1990s. The same agreement created the Isuzu Oasis minivan, that company's version of the Honda Odyssey.
Needless to say, the new Passport is a completely different beast. It is essentially a five-seat version of the Honda Pilot, and also shares lots of DNA with the Ridgeline pickup. At last, Honda has a vehicle to go head-to-head with popular five-seaters like the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback. It also comes along just in time for Chevrolet to get into the five-seat, mid-size game with its own reborn nameplate, the Blazer.
Like the Pilot and Ridgeline, Passport's power comes from a 3.5L V6 engine making 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. AWD is standard along with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Passport is larger than the original Pilot, which suggests lots of interior space for five. It's also a reminder of how small the Pilot used to be, despite always offering three rows of seating.
Passport trim levels are Sport, EX-L and Touring.
Honda includes nearly all of its active safety features and driver assists. There's forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation and the Lane Watch blind spot camera. All that's extra is a blind spot and rear cross traffic monitor system, which is standard only in Touring trim.
Sport trim comes with heated side mirrors, LED headlights, fog lights and taillights, 20-inch wheels, sunroof, ambient lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, partial digital gauge cluster, multi-angle backup camera, passive keyless entry, three-zone climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, 10-way power driver's seat, a sliding and reclining rear seat, and a seven-speaker stereo with Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
EX-L adds a power tailgate, rear parking sensors, leather seating, a four-way power front passenger seat and satellite radio.
Finally, Touring models get the blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert, auto-levelling headlights, rain-sensing wipers, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, hands-free tailgate, ventilated front seats, and a 10-speaker stereo.
Honda's fuel consumption estimates are 12.5/9.8 L/100 km (city/highway).
