New for 2022 is the Honda Passport TrailSport model with standard all-wheel drive.
There is room for up to five in the 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport midsize crossover.
Honda recently expanded its crossover utility lineup with the new midsize five-passenger Passport, which brought back a model name Honda hadn’t used since 2002. For 2022, Honda has introduced the all-wheel-drive Passport TrailSport model ($42,470 plus $1,225 freight), which replaces the Touring trim level in the lineup.
Honda says the TrailSport has a “rugged new exterior design that better reflects its true off-road capabilities.” The entry-level Passport Sport model, which began at $32,590 last year, has been dropped, making the new entry model the Passport EX-L front-wheel drive, which begins at $37,870. It’s $39,870 with all-wheel drive. Beside the EX-L and TrailSport models, there is also the top-of-the-line Passport Elite, which starts at $46,645. Both the TrailSport and Elite models come only with all-wheel drive.
Honda sold its first midsize, five-passenger Passport model from 1994-2002, but it wasn’t really a Honda. It was essentially a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo, and was assembled at the then Subaru-Isuzu Automotive plant in Lafayette, Indiana. With the reintroduction of the Passport nameplate, Honda brought a contemporary crossover utility vehicle that essentially is a six-inch-shorter version of the Pilot, without the third-row seat.
Beyond that difference, there are many similarities to the Pilot, including the standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine from the Pilot and Ridgeline, which is Honda’s Pilot-based midsize pickup. This engine produces 280 horsepower and 262 foot-pounds of torque in all three of these vehicles, and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission in all three, as well. Automatic stop-start is included to help save gasoline while stopping at traffic signals and during stop-and-go traffic conditions.
All Passport trims have leather interiors, Elite models come with perforated-leather heated and ventilated front and heated rear seats. Our test vehicle for this report was the new TrailSport model, and no options were available, except for the premium Sonic Gray exterior color, which was $395 extra. That’s Honda’s usual practice – different trim levels include specific features, with no add-ons offered. Standard on all Passports is the Honda Sensing advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane-Keeping Assist, and Road departure Mitigation, which gently guides the vehicle back into its lane if it strays.
Other safety technology includes a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera system, Blind-Spot Information System. All models get LED headlights, fog lights, taillights and daytime running lights; keyless entry with pushbutton start; two USB ports, and three-zone automatic climate control.
Besides leather seats/steering wheel and heated front seats, the EX-L gets a one-touch tilt/slide moon roof, remote-operated power liftgate, and an eight-inch Display Audio system with seven speakers and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also comes with rear sunshades, eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support, heated outside mirrors, universal garage/gate opener, and two additional USB charging ports. Moving up to the TrailSport model brings 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/60R18 all-season tires, front and rear parking sensors, Garmin navigation with traffic-sign recognition, a 115-volt power outlet, power/heated/folding outside mirrors with turn signals, tailgate spoiler, walk-away automatic door locking, 10-way power driver’s seat/four-way power passenger seat, roof rails and dual exhaust. The TrailSport also comes with gray wheels, grille and bumper skid garnish; TrailSport logo seats; all-season floor mats; orange interior lighting; and TrailSport badge with black nameplate emblems.
Our vehicle also had a wireless phone charger, remote start, remote 60/40 fold-down rear seatback, HomeLink gate/garage opener, manual tilt/telescopic steering column, and a 115-volt power outlet. The exterior features a more-rugged appearance than that of the minivan-like Pilot, making the Passport look more like an off-road vehicle such as a Nissan Xterra. TrailSport even has 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for most unpaved park roads. That’s about an inch higher than the Pilot. Passport has the same 111-inch wheelbase as the Pilot. Despite its TrailSport name, serious off-roading is limited because the intelligent torque-vectoring AWD system does not include low-range gearing for steep trails and deep mud/sand. It does come with Intelligent Traction Management with driver-selectable Snow, Mud and Sand modes, along with /Hill Start Assist.
Five people can ride in comfort in the Passport, although the rear middle position can be a bit tight for adults. The ride is surprisingly quiet even at highway speeds. With no third-row seat, there is a respectable 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which can be expanded to nearly 78 square feet with the rear seatback folded down. The seatback folds at the touch of a button. There is an under-floor hidden cargo area of 2.5 cubic feet perfect for dirty items or keeping valuables out of sight. It’s near the rear bumper under a removable section of floor. There is also a spare tire under the cargo floor.
The Passport shares much of its body and chassis with the Pilot and Ridgeline, including Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, designed to help protect occupants and pedestrians during crashes. One of the hallmarks of Honda SUVs and minivans is the abundance of storage spaces inside the passenger compartment, and the Passport is no exception. Front occupants had convenient spaces for phones and gadgets. A roomy center console box had a sliding cover that gave it easy access, much better than typical console boxes with lids that have to be raised. We enjoyed the wireless charging pad ahead of the console box that worked for our iPhones and Android phones.
The instrument panel features a seven-inch color TFT display providing various vehicle and driving information, including speed and engine RPM, audio information, trip computer, phone information, and turn-by-turn route guidance on models with navigation. The screen can be accessed through steering-wheel-mounted controls. The front-wheel-drive Passport can tow trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds, while all-wheel-drive models can handle 5,000 pounds. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera gives the driver a view of the hitch and trailer connector to aid in hooking them up. The 3.5-liter engine provided plenty of power for all situations, including mountain grades and uphill freeway on-ramps. We didn’t try towing trailers, but did have three or four adults on board much of our time in the Passport, and never felt it lacked sufficient power. We did some off-roading in our TrailSport, although nothing that would challenge its capabilities. It managed some steep, rocky grades very well.
EPA ratings for front-drive Passport models are 20 mpg city/25 highway/22 combined. For all-wheel-drive versions, the ratings are 19/24/21. During our test week, we averaged 22.6 mpg, with a mix of about two-thirds highway and the rest city driving, with our all-wheel-drive tester. Among standard safety features are four-channel, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist; electronic stability control with traction control; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front air bags; driver and front-passenger side air bags; side-curtain air bags for all four outboard seating positions; and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System with real-time display of individual tire pressures. The Passport is assembled at the Honda plant in Lincoln, Alabama. Total sticker price for our 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport model was $44,090, including freight and the premium paint. The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3.
The package: Midsize, front- or all-wheel-drive, five-door, five-passenger, V-6 powered, crossover utility vehicle. Highlights: This is Honda’s largest five-passenger crossover, which fits in its lineup between the compact CR-V and larger Pilot. It is relatively roomy and comfortable, has plenty of power, and has loads of standard and optional features. For 2022, the TrailSport model has been added for more-sporty adventures. Negatives: Limited middle-passenger space in the back seat. Overall length: 190.5 inches. Curb weight range: 3,959-4,237 pounds. Engine: 3.5-liter V-6. Transmission: Nine-speed automatic. Power/torque: 280 HP./262 foot-pounds. Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock. Cargo volume: 41.2 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 77.5 to 77.9 cubic feet (rear seat folded, varies by trim level). Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds (2WD); 5,000 pounds (AWD). Electronic stability control: Standard. Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; roof-mounted side-curtain both rows. EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/25 highway/22 combined (2WD); 19/24/21 (AWD). Fuel capacity/type: 19.5 gallons/unleaded regular. Main competitors: Chevrolet Blazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano. Base price range: $37,870-$45,430, plus $1,225 freight. Price as tested: $44,090, including freight and premium paint (TrailSport model, includes all-wheel drive). On the Road rating: 9.2 (of a possible 10).