Is the 2024 Honda Passport a Good SUV? 5 Pros, 2 Cons
Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Honda Passport is a spacious and comfortable mid-size SUV with two rows of seating. It’s also one of a growing number of family SUVs with moderate off-road chops, particularly in the TrailSport trim that was added for 2022. While the Passport is starting to show its age, updates for 2024 help keep it competitive in a field of two-row alternatives that include the Chevrolet Blazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
Related: 2024 Honda Passport Review: Your Ticket to (Mild) Adventure
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Shop the 2024 Honda Passport near you
The 2024 model gets a revised interior with improved storage and tech, a new range-topping Black Edition trim in place of the old Elite, and other updates. The TrailSport trim gets additional tweaks aimed at improving off-road ability without sacrificing performance on the road.
Cars.com Senior Research Editor Damon Bell spent some time with a new Passport in the TrailSport trim to see what the updates mean in the real world. Tap the link above for his expert review, or read on for a succinct summary of five things we like about the 2024 Honda Passport and two things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Tweaked TrailSport Trim
The biggest improvement to TrailSport trim centers on the switch to General Grabber A/T Sport all-terrain tires mounted on 18-inch wheels, which Honda says improve traction and performance in a variety of off-road conditions without sacrificing highway ride and handling. The unique TrailSport off-road suspension has been tweaked to make the most of the new tires, with revised spring rates, dampers and stabilizer bars.
2. Ergonomic Improvements
All variants get a redesigned center console for 2024, which addresses several ergonomic issues. The old roll-top cover over the storage bin is gone, replaced by an easier-to-use hinged cover that doubles as a padded armrest. Honda says the bin itself is now large enough to accommodate a full-size tablet, and the cupholders now fit larger bottles, as well. The storage tray at the front of the console is now wide enough for two smartphones placed side by side, and a wireless charging pad on the driver’s side has been added.
3. Airy Cabin
Large windows, a high roofline and relatively thin A-pillars lend an airy feel to the Passport’s cabin and allow for good visibility all around, and a large rear window makes for a better view out back than in some competitors. Interior room is generous, with plenty of head- and legroom front and rear, too. The cargo area is similarly generous, and the rear seatbacks fold flat for additional room.
4. Smooth Like Butta
The same 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission soldier on for 2024 — and that’s not a bad thing. The powertrain delivers smooth and ample power at any speed, enabling drama-free highway merging and passing. The transmission is well suited to the engine, and it provides quick and responsive shifts without ever stumbling or hunting for the right gear.
5. Clever Storage
In addition to the improved storage options in the cabin, the cargo area includes built-in storage compartments behind the rear wheels to help keep smaller things contained. The one on the driver’s side is just right for a gallon of milk, and there’s a generously sized compartment under the cargo floor that has a removable, washable plastic bin.
More From Cars.com:
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- Research the Honda Passport
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Fuel Economy
The good news on the fuel-economy front is that opting for a TrailSport doesn’t bring a penalty in EPA-estimated fuel economy compared to the other Passport trims. The bad news is that with 19/24/21 mpg city/highway/combined, per the EPA, fuel economy with any variant is not particularly noteworthy for a mid-size SUV. And unlike some competitors, the Passport is not available with a more economical hybrid or four-cylinder powertrain.
2. Showing Its Age
Even with the 2024 updates, the Passport is still showing its age. It’s worth noting that while the larger Pilot was completely redesigned for 2023, the current Passport is still based on the 2019 original. That means the Passport lags both its stablemate and competitors, particularly in terms of tech and infotainment features. The Pilot TrailSport has a front-facing camera, for example, which is unavailable on the Passport, and the Passport’s 8-inch touchscreen seems small compared with newer designs.
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