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Overview
The Passport is back—but this time, it's a far cry from the rebadged Isuzu SUV that wore this name in the 1990s—and it's quite good. This new model is larger than the CR-V and is essentially a smaller version of the three-row Honda Pilot. The Passport goes up against crossovers such as the Ford Edge, the Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Nissan Murano—and is better than all of them, too.
Engines, Ride, and Handling
Under the hood is the same 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and nine-speed automatic transmission as found in the Pilot. Front-wheel drive is standard; Honda's all-wheel-drive system, dubbed i-VTM4 (Intelligent Variable Torque Management), is optional, and features drive settings for Normal, Sand, Snow, and Mud. A two-speed transfer case is not available. Ground clearance is a useful 7.5 inches (8.1 inches for all-wheel-drive models) and the Passport can tow 5000 pounds. It's quick, too; in our testing, it went from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The ride is comfortable and the steering is pleasingly direct, all of which give the Passport a nimble, agile feeling from behind the wheel.
Interior and Technology
On the inside, there are two rows of seats with room for five. With the rear seat in use, there is 41 cubic feet of storage; folded, there is 78 cubic feet of room. Base Passport Sport models use a smaller, non-touchscreen-based radio, while the optional system has an 8.0-inch touchscreen. All Passports get the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features, a bundle that includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning with lane-keep steering assist. Full-LED exterior lighting also is standard, along with push-button starting, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, and a 215-watt audio system with six speakers and a subwoofer.
