Honda Passport

This article is about the SUV. For the motorcycle, see Honda Super Cub.

Honda Passport
2022 Honda Passport Elite AWD
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1993–2002 2018–present
Model years	1994–2002 2019–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size SUV (1993–2002) Mid-size crossover SUV (2019–present)
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1993–2002) Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (2019–2022) Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1993–present)

The Honda Passport is a line of sport utility vehicles (SUV) from the Japanese automaker Honda. Originally, it was a badge engineered version of the Isuzu Rodeo, a mid-size SUV sold between 1993 and 2002. It was introduced in 1993 for the 1994 model year as Honda's first entry into the growing SUV market of the 1990s in the United States. The first and second generation Passport was manufactured by Subaru Isuzu Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana. Like various other Honda models, it re-used a name from their motorcycle division, the Honda C75 Passport. The other two name candidates were Elsinore and Odyssey, the latter would be re-used a year later on a minivan.

The Passport was a part of a partnership between Isuzu and Honda in the 1990s, which saw an exchange of passenger vehicles from Honda to Isuzu, such as the Isuzu Oasis, and trucks from Isuzu to Honda, such as the Passport and Acura SLX. This arrangement was convenient for both companies, as Isuzu discontinued passenger car production in 1993 after a corporate restructuring, and Honda was in desperate need of an SUV, a segment that was growing in popularity in North America as well as Japan during the 1990s. The partnership ended in 2002 with the discontinuation of the Passport in favor of the Honda-engineered Pilot.

In November 2018, Honda announced that the Passport nameplate would return as a two-row mid-size crossover SUV slotted between the CR-V and Pilot. The third-generation Passport was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 27, 2018. It is built at Honda's factory in Lincoln, Alabama, and available for the 2019 model year. On July 16, 2024 Honda posted teaser images of the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport and said it would release sometime in Early 2025.

First generation (C58; 1993)

First generation
Overview
Model code	C58
Production	1993–1997
Assembly	United States: Lafayette, Indiana (Subaru Isuzu Automotive)
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Isuzu Rodeo
Powertrain
Engine	2.6 L 4ZE1 I4 3.2 L 6VD1 V6 (EX)
Power output	89.5 kW (120 hp; 122 PS) (2.6 L) 130.5–142 kW (175–190 hp; 177–193 PS) (3.2 L)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2,756 mm)
Length	176.5 in (4,483 mm)
Width	66.5 in (1,689 mm) 68.5 in (1,740 mm) (EX)
Height	65.5 in (1,664 mm) 66.3 in (1,684 mm) (EX)

The first generation Passport was offered in three trims, the base model DX, mid-range LX, and upscale EX. DX models had a 5-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) layout and a 2.6 L four-cylinder engine producing 89.5 kW (120 hp; 122 PS). LX models could be had with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission, optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) and a 3.2 L V6 engine producing 130.5 kW (175 hp; 177 PS) as standard. The upscale EX offered the 3.2 L V6 engine and four-wheel-drive as standard. Some first generation Passports were equipped with a rear axle built by General Motors. Others had a Dana built "Spicer 44" rear axle.

Model year changes

• For 1995 MY, the Passport received driver and front passenger airbags. EX trims gained extra equipment and features.
• For 1996 MY, the 3.2 L V6 was upgraded from 130.5 kW (175 hp; 177 PS) to 142 kW (190 hp; 193 PS). A shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system became available.
• For 1997 MY, the DX trim was dropped. The 2.6 L engine option was also dropped. All models now had the V6 engine.

Second generation (CK58/CM58/DM58; 1997)

Second generation
Honda Passport V6 (pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	CK58/CM58/DM58
Production	1997 – March 2002
Assembly	United States: Lafayette, Indiana (Subaru Isuzu Automotive)
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Isuzu Rodeo Isuzu Axiom
Powertrain
Engine	3.2 L 6VD1 V6
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.4 in (2,703 mm)
Length	177.4 in (4,506 mm) (1998–1999) 178.2 in (4,526 mm) (2000–2002) 184.1 in (4,676 mm) (1998–1999 EX) 184.2 in (4,679 mm) (2000–2002 EX)
Width	70.4 in (1,788 mm) 71.1 in (1,806 mm) (2000-2002 EX)
Height	68.5 in (1,740 mm) (1998-1999 EX) 68.8 in (1,748 mm) (2000-2002)

For the second generation model, two trim levels were offered: LX and upscale EX. EX had the spare tire below the cargo area and LX mounted in a swing carrier at rear. Minor changes for the 2000 model year included the introduction of an even more upscale EX-L trim which added leather seats, 2-tone exterior colors, and a CD changer. The LX trim received an optional set of 16 in (406 mm) wheels.

In 2010, a recall was issued for affected 1998-2002 Rodeo and Passport for frames with severe rust issues. On September 22, 2010, NHTSA campaign number 10V436000 was issued to recall 149,992 vehicles because of excessive corrosion near the forward bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link. If the rust damage was severe, Honda bought back the vehicles from their owners.

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  Rear view
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  Honda Passport V6 (facelift)

Third generation (YF7/8; 2019)

Third generation
2019 Honda Passport EX-L AWD (pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	YF7/8
Production	December 2018 – present
Model years	2019–present
Assembly	United States: Lincoln, Alabama (Honda Manufacturing of Alabama)
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Platform	Global Light Truck Platform 2 (GLTP2)
Related	Honda Pilot Honda Ridgeline Honda Odyssey Acura MDX
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L J35Y6 V6
Transmission	9-speed ZF 9HP automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.0 in (2,819 mm)
Length	190.5 in (4,839 mm)
Width	78.6 in (1,996 mm)
Height	71.6 in (1,819 mm)

The third generation Passport was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 27, 2018, with retail sales starting in February 2019. Unlike previous generations, it was designed in the United States and is manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama alongside the Honda Pilot. It is based on the third-generation Honda Pilot, although the Passport is shorter in length and loses the Pilot's third-row seating. The Passport slots between the smaller CR-V and longer Pilot, filling the gap left when the Honda Crosstour was discontinued after the 2015 model year.Reinvented Honda Passport is a sensible crossover The Passport competes against 2-row five-seater midsize crossovers like the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Trim levels at launch included the base "Sport", mid-level "EX-L", "Touring", and the top-of-the-line "Elite”. Unlike most other Honda nameplates like the CR-V and Pilot, the Passport does not have an LX trim. Consequently, the price of the Passport in Sport trim started above that of the contemporary Pilot in LX trim. All trim levels included front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard equipment, with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional, except for the "Elite", where it is standard equipment.

All Passport models are equipped with a 3.5L J35Y6 V6 producing 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) and 262 lb⋅ft (355 N⋅m); paired with a nine-speed, push button-controlled automatic transmission also found in the Ridgeline and 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 7.5 in (191 mm) for front-wheel drive models and 8.1 in (206 mm) for all-wheel drive models and the Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg).

Two rows of seats provide room for five passengers. There is 41 cubic feet (1,200 L) of storage behind the rear seat, which increases to 78 cubic feet (2,200 L) with the rear seat folded.

For the 2021 model year, all trims received the 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment.

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  Rear view
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  Interior

Marketing

On April 1, 2019, Honda released a YouTube advertisement for the all-new 2019 Passport. The advertisement featured a 2019 Passport, called the "Past-Port", with a first-generation Passport's interior, touting features that were popular in the mid-to-late-1990s, including automatic power windows, an audio system with cassette player and cassette adapter and pager holder. The advertisement features an actor wearing 1990s-era clothing, and holding a Motorola cellular phone. Viewers of the advertisement could also call a special toll free number, 1-833-PAST-PORT (1-833-727-8767), where they would be greeted by a voice message from Fred Savage, and could then leave a voicemail on Honda's microcassette answering machine explaining why they would like to own a 2019 Past-Port. The advertisement is no longer viewable on Honda's YouTube channel as of May 2019, and the toll free number is no longer in service.

Facelift

The Passport was facelifted for the 2022 model year with a new front end design similar to the facelifted second-generation Honda Ridgeline as well as the addition of a new TrailSport trim level that offers a more aggressive off-road-oriented appearance package. The TrailSport model receives model specific bumpers, cosmetic skid plate inserts, all-weather TrailSport-logoed floormats, as well as all-season tires with a more aggressive shoulder tread.

The Sport and Touring trims were also dropped, leaving a simplified lineup of three trims: EX-L, TrailSport and Elite.

For the 2023 model year, the front-wheel drive EX-L option was discontinued from the lineup, making all-wheel drive standard on all Passports onward.

For the 2024 model year, changes include a larger center console and new armrest. The top Elite trim has been replaced with a new "Black Edition" trim.

Passport TrailSport (2022)

The TrailSport trim was introduced for the 2022 model year, and is the first TrailSport model in the Honda lineup. The Passport TrailSport comes standard with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system that is tuned for off-road use. Also included are more aggressively-styled tires, rugged exterior styling, a synthetic leather (leatherette)-trimmed interior that is easier to clean, unique orange stitching on the interior, and all-weather front and rear floor mats. The TrailSport is based on the equipment of the EX-L trim.

For the 2024 model year, the TrailSport receives trim-specific suspension tuning and all-terrain tires.

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  2022 Honda Passport TrailSport (facelift)
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  2022 Honda Passport TrailSport (facelift)
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  2022 Honda Passport Elite AWD (facelift)
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  2022 Honda Passport Elite AWD (facelift)

Safety

The 2019 Passport received a "Top Safety Pick" award by the IIHS.

IIHS scores

Small overlap front (driver)	Good
Small overlap front (passenger)	Acceptable
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side (original test)	Good
Side (updated test)	Marginal
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints and seats	Good
Headlights (varies by trim/option)	Acceptable	Poor
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle	Advanced
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use	Acceptable

Sales

Calendar year	US	Canada
1993	106
1994	25,758
1995	27,981
1996	28,184
1997	22,622
1998	26,094
1999	22,974
2000	21,892
2001	17,448
2002	3,525
2003	70
2019	36,085	2,678
2020	39,567	2,734
2021	53,133	2,869
2022	41,306	2,923
2023	40,789