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The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Spacious cabin
- Smooth highway cruising
- Moderate off-roading capability
- Standard safety equipment
Dislikes
- No off-road upgrades for Trailsport trim
- Clunky 9-speed automatic transmission
- Close in size to compact CR-V
- Low-ratio 4WD would make it more competitive
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2023 Honda Passport tackles all kinds of terrain, from trail running to big-box cruising.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Honda Passport? What does it compare to?
The Honda Passport is a mid-size crossover with seating for five. It’s mechanically related to the 2022 Honda Pilot, but while the Pilot’s strongest asset is its third row of seating, the rugged-looking Passport stands out thanks to the increased ride height that enables greater off-road capability. The competition in the two-row mid-size crossover segment includes the Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Edge, and Toyota 4Runner.
Is the 2023 Honda Passport a good SUV?
Thanks to a generous list of safety features and a spacious interior, the Honda Passport earns a TCC Rating of 5.8 out of 10. (Read more about.)
What’s new for the 2023 Honda Passport?
Not much, except slightly higher prices to account for newly standard all-wheel drive (previously an option on the base EX-L model). The Passport was refreshed for 2022 and with those recent updates carries into 2023 unchanged. Last year saw revised exterior styling for a more rugged look, new wheel designs, and a new Trailsport trim level that boasted cosmetic upgrades. A new Passport is expected within a year or two.
The Passport’s squared-off front look comes courtesy of a new, more truck-like hood and grille, creating a more distinct visual connection to the Ridgeline. A new back bumper accommodates large exhaust tips. Buyers can select from an updated menu of wheel designs, up to 20 inches. For more rugged looks, check out the Honda Performance Development, or HPD, style package, with a different grille, blacked-out fender flares, graphics, and wheels. Or, go for the Trailsport trim, with its off-road-inspired looks.
The powertrain carries over unchanged, a reasonably peppy 280-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine shared with the Pilot, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Standard features include wireless device charging, an 8.0-inch display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are also included, though the front seats would benefit from more support. There’s ample seating for five, as well as a maximum of about 78 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Passport is a solid choice for safety-conscious buyers. It earns good scores in crash test evaluations and comes standard with features such as rear seat and seat belt reminders, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and blind spot monitors.
How much does the 2023 Honda Passport cost?
The Passport’s base EX-L starts at $41,410, and that now includes all-wheel drive. The Trailsport comes next, at $43,600, and the Elite at $46,560.
Where is the 2023 Honda Passport made?
The Passport is built alongside the Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey at Honda’s plant in Lincoln, Alabama.
2023 Honda Passport
Styling
The new Trailsport trim looks even more rugged.
The Passport differentiates itself from the Pilot with a more aggressive profile, interesting but not especially edgy. It earns a 5 for styling.
Is the Honda Passport a good-looking SUV?
The Passport is bigger than it looks and feels, measuring about 190 inches in length, and it’s visually differentiated from the Pilot thanks to a differently-styled front end and some changes to the side profile.
The Trailsport model has rugged looks that aren’t yet backed up by actual performance upgrades, though Honda says future Trailsport models will deliver on the promise implied by the name and the styling. For now, different front and rear bumpers, grille, and wheels are enough to add visual appeal to the Passport.
The inside is fit and functional, nearly identical to the Pilot except for less seating. It’s comfortable and well organized, though the dark color scheme would benefit from some updates.
2023 Honda Passport
Performance
Though the Passport is equipped to venture off pavement, it’s best enjoyed as a commuter and highway cruiser.
Thanks to increased ground clearance and shorter front and rear overhangs compared to the Pilot, the Passport is the most rugged and trail-ready SUV in Honda’s lineup. It can handle family camping trips, but can’t compete with more hard-core body-on-frame vehicles. An above-average ride earns a 6 for performance on the TCC scale.
Is the Honda Passport 4WD?
Yes, AWD is newly standard across the lineup for 2023.
How fast is the Honda Passport?
Every Passport comes powered by Honda’s steadfast 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. With 280 hp, there’s plenty of grunt for everyday driving, though the transmission is sometimes laggy.
The rugged off-road-inspired styling distracts from the Passport’s best attribute, which is its comfortable highway cruising. A well-insulated cabin and a smooth ride make for an effortless commute.
That said, the Passport does have moderate all-terrain ability, aided by Sand, Snow, and Mud driving modes and 8.1 inches of ground clearance.
Towing capacity checks in at 5,000 lb across the lineup.
2023 Honda Passport
Comfort & Quality
The Passport sacrifices extra seating in favor of better cargo capacity.
The Passport comfortably accommodates five adults, has spacious and supportive rear seats, and fits plenty of cargo out back. That’s good for an 8.
Interior space, for both passengers and cargo, is among the Passport’s biggest strengths. Leather upholstery comes standard. The front seats could use a bit more support and cushioning, though comfort and space on the rear bench impress, with 39.6 inches of rear leg room.
Cargo capacity measures in at 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear row and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. A hidden underfloor storage cubby holds messy belongings out of sight and away from fabric surfaces.
2023 Honda Passport
Safety
The Passport fares well in crash testing and includes plenty of standard safety tech.
How safe is the Honda Passport?
Thanks to good crash scores from the NHTSA and a strong menu of safety features, the Passport earns a 7.
The 2023 Passport earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the score for the front passenger side impact test came in at a four. The IIHS gave the 2022 model a “Good” crash test rating for all but the small-overlap front test, where it earned an “Acceptable” grade, and an updated side test rating earned a “Marginal” score.
Honda equips the Passport with automatic forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and blind spot monitors, though a surround-view camera system is a notable omission.
New Honda Passport for sale near
2023 Honda Passport
Features
The base EX-L is more expensive than entry-level Passports of the past, but has a lot more features.
The Passport earns a point on the TCC scale for its long list of standard features, as well as its large 8.0-inch standard touchscreen, to give it a 7.
Which Honda Passport should I buy?
The $41,410 EX-L is the best buy and now comes standard with AWD for 2023 (though its base price has gone up accordingly). Features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and roof rails.
How much is a fully loaded Honda Passport?
The top-tier Elite model comes in at about $47,000 and includes cooled front seats, heated rear seats, hands-free tailgate access, automatic wipers, and an upgraded sound system.
Honda features a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, with no included maintenance.
2023 Honda Passport
Fuel Economy
A hybrid version of the Passport would be a welcome addition to the lineup.
Is the Honda Passport good on gas?
No, the Passport is not good on gas. With FWD, EPA ratings come in at 20 mpg city, 25 highway, 22 combined. With AWD, ratings go down by 1 mpg across the board. That earns the Passport a 2 on the TCC scale.
The Car Connection Consumer Review