Introduction

The Passport is Honda's mid-size crossover SUV, slotting between the CR-V and Pilot. It's familiar, solid, smooth, and spacious, with a cabin that's nearly the same as the Pilot's despite the overall length being six inches shorter. It's not as adventurous as some rivals, and can't run off road with others, but its available 20-inch wheels and roof rails send some outdoorsy signals. 

The Passport uses the same 280-horsepower V-6 as the Pilot, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that can be indecisive. It's capable of climbing over rocks, although it's more comfortable traveling to the trail than riding along it. 

The Passport seats five in two rows, and with ample cargo space when the rear seat is folded down. 

The front-drive version of the Passport earns an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 25 highway, 22 combined. With all-wheel drive, it drops by only 1 mpg. That's 1 or 2 mpg less than a couple of rivals, but 4 mpg better than the 4Runner. 

The NHTSA gives the Passport five stars overall for safety, with four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS calls its standard automatic emergency braking 'Superior'? and gives it 'Good'? scores in crash tests, save for the passenger-side small-overlap test, where it's rated 'Acceptable.'?

Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and active lane control. The EX-L and above add blind-spot monitors. 

Lineup

Honda sells the Passport in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite versions. 

With front-wheel drive, the base Passport Sport costs about $34,000, and has cloth upholstery, 20-inch wheels, keyless start, two USB ports, and a small 5.0-inch audio screen with rearview camera display. All-wheel drive is available for $2000. 

For about $38,000 more, the EX-L gains leather upholstery, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with a sunroof, a power liftgate, more sound deadening, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and roof rails. 

With a price in the mid-$40,000s, the Passport Elite comes standard with all-wheel drive, and adds cooled front seats, heated front and rear seats, wireless smartphone charging, and navigation. 

Walkaround

At about 190 inches long, the Passport is big for its mission. It's clearly no Bronco or Wrangler, but compared to the Pilot, it grows a distinctive roofline, meaner grille with blacked-out chin, and tougher body cladding. 

A thick slash at the stubby tail connects the roof and fenders. Add the roof rack that comes on every model but (ironically) the Sport, and the Passport picks up chunky, all-terrain style without resorting to SUV clich?s. 

Interior

The cabin is a well-organized work space with a low, open feel (despite a lot of dark and black trim), and a center console that's wide and deep, although the push-button gear selector takes up console space. The base Sport suffers from a dinky 5.0-inch audio display. The EX-L brings more than just an 8.0-inch screen with technology, it also brings leather and other comforts. 

Space is fine, but the front seats need more cushioning; they're flat and long-distance road trips can grow tiring. 

It's better in the back seat, with a well-shaped bench and 39.6 inches of leg room. Three adults will be fine, and can easily enter and exit through the wide rear doors. 

There's a lot of sound deadening, so the cabin is quiet, and outward visibility is good. 

Driving Impression

The 3.5-liter V-6 presents a surprising muscular exhaust note, to go with the excellent acceleration provided by the 280 horses. However the 9-speed automatic transmission falls short at times, as it hesitates in lower gears, trying to make up its mind. The Honda Odyssey minivan uses a 10-speed automatic mated to the same engine, without that problem. 

Being a bulky crossover, the Passport's handling is better suited to broad curves than hairpins. But its light steering helps in those sharp turns. And when the pace quickens, it leans into corners and holds its own in the mid-size crossover class. 

The uncomplicated all-wheel-drive system has decent ability off road. Some 8.1 inches of ground clearance helps, but we'd swap out the stock 20-inch street tires for some knobbier treads if we were to take it on rocky roads. We drove the Passport in Moab, and it still performed well, without too much jostling. Drive modes-Sand, Snow, Mud, and Normal-alter the Passport's traction, throttle, and shift patterns, but it doesn't have a low-range transfer case. 

Summary

The 2021 Honda Passport splits its list of chores between commuting and adventuring. It's a solid choice, one with the ability to carpool as much as it can carry camping gear for an easy-to-reach trailhead. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.