A name last used on rebadged versions of the Isuzu Rodeo at a time when the two automakers shared a joint venture, the latest Passport is exclusive to the Tokyo based marque, and will plug the gap between the CR-V and eight-seat Pilot in the brand’s North American SUV line-up.
Providing seating for five like the CR-V and based on the same unibody Global Light Truck platform as the Pilot and Ridgeline pick-up, the Passport measures 4 838mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2 819mm, height of 1 818mm and width of 1 996mm, and incorporates styling derived from its open-bed sibling with the rugged appearance being further boosted by the black body cladding and grille, and standard fitment of 20-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Passport takes after the Pilot in design and layout, with a choice of two infotainment systems, a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster display and tri-zone climate control on all models. In terms of space, Honda claims a class-leading boot of 1 166-litres, which grows to 2 205-litres with the rear seats folded down. An additional 70-litres is also offered via the storage area located underneath the boot floor.
In North America, the Passport will go on sale with a choice of four trim level, with items on the entry-level Sport consisting of projector LED headlights, a five-inch touchscreen display, dual USB ports, a six-speaker sound system, reverse camera, eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry/start and LED taillights.
Upping the ante, the EX-L receives leather upholstery and an additional USB port, the bigger eight-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electric tailgate, sunroof, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a leather wrapped steering wheel, heated electric mirrors, four-way electric passenger’s seat, all around one-touch electric windows and heated front seats.
The next-step Touring adds front and rear parking sensors, satellite navigation, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspots, bigger profile 20-inch alloys, a 10-speaker sound system, hands-free opening tailgate, interior ambient lighting, heated rear seats and a 150-volt AC inverter. Sitting at the top-of-the-range, the Elite comes with wireless smartphone charging, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, folding electric mirrors with dimming-function and rain sense wipers.
In terms of safety, all models are outfitted with Honda’s Sensing system that includes Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, a surround view camera system and in the case of the EX-L, Touring and Elite, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Up front, the Passport comes powered by the same 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine used in the Pilot and Ridgeline, which produces 206kW/354Nm and is mated to a nine-speed button operated automatic gearbox.
While the Passport offers a choice of front-or-all-wheel drive options on all models, the latter comes equipped with Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system, which boasts a choice of four modes; Normal, Sand, Snow and Mud, as well as Torque Vectoring and a ground clearance of 213mm versus the two-wheel drive’s 198mm.
Sales of the Passport will commence next year with production taking place alongside the Pilot, Odyssey MPV and Ridgeline at Honda’s Lincoln Plant in Alabama, but as previously indicated, will remain a North American model only due as production will be limited to left-hand drive.
