Honda Passport Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The Honda Passport is one of many in a long line of Honda SUVs, providing a system ready for the toughest of terrains and the longest of weekends. It’s well-rounded and offers enough features to satisfy the city and country driver. If you’re interested in this car, it’s critical to consider the Honda Passport pros and cons to make the right choice.
No matter what type of vehicle you purchase, there will be benefits and disadvantages. From the SUV to the convertible, there are ample things to consider. This statement is correct for the Honda Passport, too. Keep reading to learn more about some things we love about the Passport and items we weren’t as fond of in its system.
What We Love: Honda Passport Pros
From the standard all-wheel drive to the ample cargo room, there’s lots to love in the Passport. Let’s dive into some of the best Honda Passport pros and cons.
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Ample Cargo Room
One of the best parts about the Honda Passport is the ample cargo room it comes with, partially modeled after the design found in the Honda Ridgeline. Behind the back seat, you’ll find a helpful 41 cubic feet of storage. If you fold down the back row, that number will jump to an astonishing 78 cubic feet - perfect for long road trips.
The rear isn’t the only place with room for cargo. The Honda Passport also has some interior cubby space to consider, offering a practical bin option in the center console if there’s a need to hide a few more things in the cabin that didn’t fit in the back. The cargo room is a solid win for the design of the Honda Passport.
Excellent Base Trim Additions
Much of the time, an investment in the base trim of a car means you’re missing out on plenty of features. Luckily, that isn’t the case with the Honda Passport. The lowest trim, the Honda Passport EX-L, comes packed with everything you need to hit the ground running.
According to automobiles.honda.com, here are a few offerings on the base trim:
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Suite of safety features
- Intelligent traction management
- 8.0-inch touchscreen
These are just a few of the things made to provide an incredible ride.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get some of the best in the Honda Passport. Much excellence is present in their most basic design.
Standard All-Wheel-Drive
Another item we enjoyed was the standard all-wheel drive across the board with every trim level of the Honda Passport. Although many would argue that all-wheel drive isn’t necessary, it’s practical if you want to maximize your grip on the road and offer a more versatile performance with delivered power to the front and back tires of the Passport.
Of course, the choice to make all-wheel-drive standard in every trim level of the Honda Passport does mean you pay a little more. We think it’s worth the upgrade for the increased performance you’ll find from the system’s tires and beyond. You get to feel like you have control of a race car - even in weather conditions that are less than ideal.
THE HONDA PASSPORT YEARS TO AVOID
Wondering which Honda Passport years to avoid? We have the answers. While the brand is nearly synonymous with compact cars, it has expanded its offerings in recent years and now produces a full range of vehicles for a variety of needs and budgets.
Energetic V-6 Engine
Finally, we love the energetic V-6 engine packed inside the Honda Passport. Every trim comes equipped with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which is the same one you’ll find in the Honda Pilot. The choice to add this engine works well for the Honda Passport and provides the kick most drivers want on the road from an SUV.
The Honda Passport manages to be zippy on the go with direct steering that makes it feel far nimbler than it should be able to with its size. It also comes with a ground clearance of 8.1 inches, so the engine can spur the car along without worrying about scraping the underbelly of the system along the way.
What We Dislike: Honda Passport Cons
Unfortunately, the Honda Passport has a high starting price point and a thirsty design. Let’s cover some unfortunate aspects of the Honda Passport pros and cons.
High Starting Price
Although we do think the starting price of the Honda Passport is reasonable for what you get, it’s still higher than many competitors. The base price of the Passport will cost you $41,900, the second $44,500, and the third $47,970. You’re closing in on close to half of $100,000 by the time you hit the most equipped trim level of the Honda Passport.
It’s also easy for that starting price to kick up if you decide you want features like a bike rack and beyond. Still, without paying any more than the listed price, you get leather upholstery, a large touchscreen, and even a helpful sunroof.
Thirsty Design
Finally, we dislike how thirsty the engine of the Honda Passport is once you get going and put the pedal to the road. It’s supposed to earn 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway, but many drivers have reported their Passports earning closer to 19 and 23. These numbers are a bummer for anyone who wants a fuel-efficient design.
The all-wheel-design drive of the Honda Passport does make it better on the road with traction and control, but it impacts the fuel required to make it go. We recommend being careful if you’re looking for an SUV with the best fuel efficiency, as the Passport will quickly drain your wallet if you aren’t careful.
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Final Thoughts
There are many incredible Honda Passport pros and cons to consider before investing. The Honda Passport has ample cargo room, excellent base trim additions, standard all-wheel-drive, and an energetic V-6 addition. However, it also had a high starting price point and a thirsty design that would cost money to care for.
It’s critical to consider all aspects of a vehicle before investing, especially with the Honda Passport. Some disadvantages might prove problematic for drivers, while others behind the wheel won’t find an issue. Only you can decide what’s best.
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