I'm a fan of this entire "tweener" category of crossovers that average around 189"-190" in length and includes the Edge, the new Blazer, the Santa Fe, the Grand Cherokee, the Passport, the Outback, etc. As a group, they're larger than those in the compact segment but half a foot or more shorter than the larger three row crossover category. In fact, it may be surprising to find that most vehicles in this category are an inch or so shorter than a midsize sedan like the Accord and Camry, making maneuvering in traffic and parking more convenient. And if one hangs a bike rack on the back, extending the length by 12"-18" it can make the difference between fitting a vehicle in a crowded garage and lowering the door or removing the rack. When my wife and I were shopping for a new SUV last year, we zeroed in on vehicles in of this size. In our case, though, we opted for another vehicle in the same size category -- the KIA Sorento. It's often ignored when the "tweener" group is considered because it has a third row of seats but except for offering a naturally aspirated V6 and the additional seating it's virtually identical to the Hyundai Santa Fe in terms of overall dimensions, passenger room (in the first two rows), cargo capacity, and with the same transmission, AWD system, infotainment system, switchgear, etc. Considering that the Santa Fe is essentially an updated version of the 2017 two row Sorento with the same turbo4, that's not surprising. We're a small family (two adults, a teenage daughter, and a big dog). We could have opted for a two row crossover. In fact, the Sorento was the only three row vehicle that made it to the "finals" in our shopping. And like many Sorento owners, we keep the third row stowed over 90% of the time giving us the same cargo space as a Santa Fe or an Edge. But it's a great convenience occasionally when we have six or seven passengers on a local trip that would otherwise require two vehicles. We're no longer in the market but if we were we'd take a serious look at the Passport. Its V6 is solid and (imo) more suited to a two ton vehicle than a turbo4 cylinder engine in terms of durability and smoothness. The AWD system is arguably the best in the mainstream class. Yes, it's essentially a shorter version of the Pilot but that's not a bad thing. I haven't driven the Passport with its nine speed transmission but I'm guessing it might be less than ideal but perfectly acceptable. I suspect we'd still opt for a Sorento (It's my wife's daily driver and I'd have to pry her cold dead fingers off the steering wheel if I insisted on replacing it) but the Passport adds another option in the "tweener" SUV category and that's not a bad thing, either.
Yup. I really was going to wait for the 2020 Outback refresh. But no 6cyl engine. Test drove the OB limited w/3.6r, very nice. Then test drove Passport Touring week later. Came home with it. Traded '15 Highlander, never used the 3rd row. Very pleased with my, 2 week old, Obs. blue 2wd, Passport. 895 trouble free miles so far, LOL. peace, e.
@@2006gtobob Somewhat more than that. The Santa Fe and Outback each has 4 cylinder turbo engine. I think a NA V6 is more durable and has smoother power delivery in a vehicle weighing over two tons. Plus the Outback has a CVT. And while I'm not a militant member of the anti-CVT brigade, I prefer a geared transmission. The Murano offered less passenger space and cargo room than the Sorento and a CVT. Looked seriously at the CX-9 but it's absurdly large (199") for a vehicle that offers less cargo space than a CR-V along with another 4 banger. The Edge Sport (now the ST) was a serious contender but the 50 Shades of Gray interior and fit and finish put it in second place. And finally, the Sorento offered the best bumper-to-bumper and power train warranty along with a naturally aspirated V6 and third row seating. All in all, it amounted to considerably more than fitting in my garage and carrying stuff.
I just got an EX-L Passport and love it. One thing I really like about the EX-L trim versus the higher Touring and Elite is the EX-L uses matte gray plastic instead of gloss piano black for the interior. The EX-L wheels are also gray/steel instead of gloss black. The matte gray looks way way better and more upscale than the gloss black IMHO.
Love the passport but throw in a pano roof and 360° cam and it would be absolutely perfect. Seriously Honda, just add those two items, even as available options, and it’s golden.
Great detailed review as usual. I really like the Passport. I’m leaning heavily in making this my next vehicle purchase. I own the 2018 Subaru Outback and Ive been happy with it, no problems. I want a taller driver door opening. I have arthritis pain so scrunching up to get in the Outback is getting to be a drag. I like and am the the Honda Passport, Toyota RAV4 Adventure and Subaru Forester. It’s too soon for me to buy a new vehicle but your reviews will help me make a good decision. Thank you for the detail, grade rating and comparisons.
I wanted one in late April, but prices are crazy high with dealers adding dealer installed bullshit options plus market adjustment of $2k here in Houston area. I bought a Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD for $38k + TT&L and I love it!
Good price on your CX9. I liked it too. But 2 weeks ago, I bought the Passport Touring, 2WD, Obsidian Blue for $38,351 total cash, drive out. My CU financed. I talked them out of the silly, tint, nitrogen, wheel locks prices in the ProTect pkg. Was able to pay for Side Curb Lighting option w the savings. BaytownCommunity Honda gave me the best price of 4 Houston area dealers all via email. Hope our new rides stay trouble free. peace, e.
FYI, if you get the idle stop button pin schematic or just find out which wire has 12v constant and which wire the switch connects when pushed you can short those together and permanently turn off the horrific idle stop “feature”
I disagree that there isn't a difference in the driving experience between a Pilot and Passport. I test drove both on the same day and thought the Passport was faster and smoother. Good review, nonetheless. :)
For close to 35K I'd choose the Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 2.0T. Nicer looking interior. Almost the same amount of space. More features and standard safety for the same price and a longer warranty. The real deciding factor would be that the Honda doesn't offer passenger height seat controls on any trim level and the Santa Fe does. The Passport step-in feels like it is at least 1 inch higher than the Santa Fe's. Combine that with not being about to lower the passenger seat and it makes it difficult for children, short people, or the elderly to get into the seat as easy. Once inside, for some passengers, not being about to make the seat higher to see out properly is a big deal on longer trips. For taller passengers they can not move the seat down. It is a very BIG oversight for Honda in my opinion. For average sized people they won't care.
From what I understand Nissan made a new "Terra" but it's only sold in Asia, because they don't want to have to deal with US highway and safety regulations
I had my hopes high when I heard the Passport was coming back...There's not enough here to excite me. Less everyday capability than Pilot, stupid low-profile tires/wheels (not at all off-roadable), higher price. I'd definitely go for the Pilot, hands down.
Hi Alex, you do a heck of a job reviewing so many vehicles, but I have to wonder why the Passport gets the same A for 71 decibels that the Santa Fe gets for 69 decibels? I also wonder why the Passport gets another A for 21 mpg, when the Santa Fe in your Tests gets only a C+ for 22 mpg. I love that you put a lot of measurable numbers, but it seems that if you put these numbers for the Passport, you need to raise the Santa Fe scores to be consistent. Thanks again for all the reviews and all the information.
My goodness you're good! I already bought the Higlander(used) and now I am thinking of getting this or pathfinder as well....I've got to stop watching....LOL.....feel good Alex ! and...thanks- it has made the difference in my upcoming move from NY to MN....my friends thank you...through me....Evidently I was driving them nuts with all my questions...after I found you...it was a Home Run(June 9th I bought the Highlander)... Thank you again., Nancy
Hermit527 the current odyssey was redesigned in 2017 on a completely different platform the current pilot/passport uses the old Odyssey/Mdx platform when they redesign the pilot/passport they’ll probably add the 10spd
Do you mean the savings between the given MPG and the higher you wish for would allow you to travel the world? Or maybe consume even more Beluga caviar? All that MPG race is government propaganda! When was the last time you protested a toll on a turnpike? Or higher taxes the government attached to each gallon of gas you consume. And I am not even talking the sales tax you pay or income tax you pay or the illegal aliens you pay for. .... capisci?
The engine is about the only upgrade but the 2.4T is only seeing 19 mpg on fuelly with the Ascent. The 2018 Regal TourX 2.0T with torque vectoring AWD and +$10,00 off MSRP is a better deal for more car
Great review from Alex as usual. It’s funny how these car manufacturers are toting crossovers as off road utility vehicles. They just don’t have the ground clearance or suspension setup for more than a rough dirt road for occasional use. With that said, when my Santa Fe sport 2.0 finally dies (if it ever does) I’ll be looking at one of these for daily driver use. It’s hard to beat Honda’s reliability and practicality.
The biggest disappointment with the new Passport is it doesn't have the latest version of the Honda safety systems that we see on the newest Accord. Things like automatic braking are MISSING, replaced by a BRAKE warning in the dashboard. Not surprising since its missing on the refreshed Pilot as well. The Acura RDX has the newer version and I think a lot of folks will cross-shop the RDX. I know I will.
20 inch wheel for trail vehicle? Those tires will get damaged. Also roof rails should be standard on a "trail vehicle " like this, why go all the way to the touring
I wanted to love the Passport, but four things make me groan...most of it subjective and MY opinion of course: 1 - Poor MPG. It could be mildly acceptable, but given it was a bit smaller than the Pilot, I expected to gain one or two MPG. That is a thirsty V6 and the fat tires don't help. 2 - Ugly shiny piano black plastic on dash and steering wheel. It shouts CHEAP and is always dusty and smudged. Go with a nicely designed matte texture or anything not glossy/shiny black...dumb. 3 - Short sidewall tires (oversized wheels). As noted in other reviews, there is little gained with ever-shrinking "sporty" sidewalls on tires, a pinch of handling I suppose, but you lose out on ride quality, replacement tire price and off-roading over anything bigger than pebbles. That is unless you enjoy popping a tire or bending a wheel on a small rock. 4 - Instrument cluster, oh I do not like it at all. Reminds me of 80s GM cars, when they that the speedometer that was number left to right with a long needle. I don't like that tacky tachometer. I know it's just me stuck on circular gauges, but that just seems cheap as well. Not elegant or masculine, just like some pre-school kids picked it out from a few dozen choices. Oh well, I guess my 2003 Accord is gonna have to find a different replacement. I'd like to sit a little higher because I can't see anything in traffic with SUVs and over-sized sasquatch-ready full-size pickups. No one can place anything in the truck beds without a ladder any more...stupid...bigger is NOT better in this case. I get LOTS of offers for my 1997 Nissan Frontier extended cab truck. You can see in the bed and put things in there and take things out without hopping up or getting a ladder or renting a crane or using a jet-pack. Actually FUNCTIONAL. Sorry, didn't mean to go off-topic, King Kong sized pickups are another peeve.
Good summary. It's a bit of a letdown for Honda fans. Basically a stunted Pilot, which itself is a disabled minivan (worse doors, worse handling, worse mileage, and worse carrying capacity than the Odyssey). That said, its a 2 row crossover. It'll sell millions.
Excellent points OVP. I dont like rubberband-like tires and mediocre mileage, either. It's been 17 years since I bought my 03 Pilot and this thing comes up short as I look for its replacement.
is there a reason you avoided Edge comparisons in this? You mention the Murano and who knows how often the CR V even though its not supposed to be compared...but the Edge is not even part of the listings.
when you FINALLY bring up the Edge at the end, you mention the Passports standard power being higher...but never mention the poor MPGs of the Passport's 6. In fact, you gave it an A!!? The excellent Ecoboost 4 in the Edge is pretty good MPG An A for 21 average on a mid-sized SUV ? Weird.
I was wondering the same. Both 5 seat versions of 7 seat cars. (I know edge and explorer are different platforms now but back in CD3 days) and available transverse 3.5 V6. Seems an apt comparison.
I recently traded in my 2021 Acura RDX (SH-AWD + Technology) after 3 months of ownership, for a 2021 Honda Passport Touring. The reason being the shallow hatch height of 30” in the Acura, which prevented me from putting in a full-size dog crate that’s 31” tall, and could not fit even my medium-sized mountain bike within the hatch area. These are just regular use cases and Acura’s design team need to be fired for not considering these. The 2022 MDX, a much larger vehicle, also has the same 30” hatch height problem. For comparison, the Honda CRV’s hatch is 36” tall (a sheer marvel in packaging) and the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport have 33-34” of hatch height. My new 2021 Honda Passport Touring meets all of my utility vehicle needs……can easily fit the dog crate, can easily swallow up the mountain bike. Having said that, Acura is not the only culprit here…….the Subaru Ascent, the Subaru Forester, the Subaru Crosstrek, the Toyota RAV4 are all in the unusably shallow hatch height category and it is a shame to call these utility vehicles, if they cannot cater to such mundane use cases
I like it mostly, but what is honda thinking with the pricing on this. Way too expensive . and a "go anywhere suv" with 20" wheels and as tires. So you'll have to buy aftermarket wheels tires to make it somewhat capable off-road. I know its a honda and its going to hold its value and be far more reliable than any jeep. It's a swing and a miss
What are your thoughts on the passport versus the Acura RDX? I feel like there’s a bit or overlap when it comes to msrp between the two when comes to the elite trim passport
f181234 is it though? Passenger volume on both are fairly similar. They’re both car based crossovers with two rows of seating. They both have torque vectoring awd systems. They have similar equipment levels when comparing the top trim passport. Their msrp are within spitting distance. They definitely seem more similar to each other than your comparison of the rx vs 4Runner
jojo0827 Passport is half size up for sure... both longer and wider. Legroom may be close, but Passport is larger. Middle seat in Passport is FAR more comfortable than RDX. That said, what are you really asking? Same manufacturer. Same levels of quality and reliability. Drive them both and pick what you like.
alliejr the difference is 10 cu. ft. In passenger volume between the two. I have driven the two and I’m split between the merits of either. Which is why I’m asking Alex’s and the fellow viewers opinions...
I like it but wish it was more loaded like the CX-5 Signature for that price. I could get over that for a V-6 but the blackout look comes off cheap. That all black trim look will always look like the cheapest base model on the lot with old black steel wheels. It would look much better and less cheap if thty offered some chrome, brushed aluminum grill and wheels. Something along the lines of the X-terra which looked more premium on the outside but was a well respected off-roader. Thanks again Alex for another great review.
Spunky they do offer differnt wheels but are $2000 extra. Unless you get them in a package. Im with you all the black comes off looking cheap. There should be no cost options for the same wheels in dark gray or chrome like. Not everyone is into the blacked out look. The piano black in the interior isnt going to age well either.
I wonder if the decision is purposeful. The way it is now, without a large central console, the seats can accommodate larger bodies with ease. Maybe Honda is designing for that flexibility, regardless of the "active consumer" ad copy?
Yeah it does. I actually like how it's done. They're attached to the seat so they don't impinge on the space next to you like a central console/armrest would do.
Do you like captain type chairs? What is your experience with them? I have them in my car and I prefer it over any other option. They don`t extra place, are close to the body and they move with the seat so are always comfortable - doesn`t matter how tall someone is and how much they move the chair.
Waldemar Ishibashi: I like captain chairs but with one caveat: it’s best if the armrest is able to lock in a place you can set. I’m not sure if the Honda has this feature. With a ratcheting/lock mechanism you can set the armrest exactly where you want it and not just perpendicular to the seat back.
Alex, since you have driven both this and the new RAV4 Adventure, which do you like better as a daily driver that can traverse dirt roads for daily use and better in awd when the terrain gets a little rougher/tougher? I realize the gas mileage will be a loss in the Honda, but I'd trade the extra power and space if the honda outshines the Rav Adventure. I like the smaller size of the Rav, but I'm not sure it will perform off road as well as the Honda. Thanks for the help.
I own a 2019 S-Fe 2.4 and a 2016 Outback 2.5. Overall I prefer driving the S-F over the Outback. Now thinking about trading the Outback for the all new Palisade.
@@jd2890 I own a 2016 Pilot, so far its the best in passenger space, can easily carry 8 people, I have driven other 3 Row SUVs but none like the Pilot. Not sure about the Passport, looks good to me but I cannot go for it as I own the Pilot.
Bextar636, we traded a 2017 Outback 3.6R in for a 2019 Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T. Much smoother ride in the Hyundai than the Subbie, the Subbie had a better engine though. But if you aren’t racing around the Santa Fe is nicer & affordable with the 0% financing plus discounts.
I bought a new '13 Crosstour EX-L, traded in my '12 Ridgeline-RTS. CT is very roomy indeed. But also bought '19 Passport Touring 2 weeks ago. Very, very roomy, runs great too. peace, e.
Great review as usual, Alex! I wanted to like this but think I will wait for improvements (interior, transmission). I think Honda missed the mark here. I was excited about the 2020 Outback but do not like the infotainment system - may go for a 2019 3.6R Outback (not my favorite engine either but can live with it).
So what makes this more off road capable? There's no transfer case. No skid plates. No air suspension. It really just seems like a smaller Pilot with an extra inch of ground clearance.
@@valdius85 Well, I agree it's better than not having it. But it's still Honda just cheaping out on this model. They didn't add any new capability to this. They just used what they had in their parts bin. I don't have a problem with that except they are calling it "rugged" and fit for "offroad". It's clearly not. If they were just marketing it as bigger than a CRV and smaller than a Pilot, I wouldn't complain. See my point?
@@johnholst Yes, I do. I like Passport but I see your point. In my head, it is not a competition for Land Cruiser or any "serious" Jeep. It seems to be a better take than what Subaru is doing recently (no LSD) and I think that is the market. Which is fine, I seem to be their target group - slightly better AWD unibody SUV.
I drove the Elite passport yesterday and was very underwhelmed. I thought the blazer handled much better and shifted much better with more power on tap. So far I like the Outback XT the best though as its the most comfortable with the least amount of road noise and the best ride.
"...The Blazer is the family vehicle that actually appeals to the whole family, and for that reason it upsets the Honda(Passport)on its home court." I think the Motor Trend staff was weeping when they wrote that!
We traded in a Ford Edge SEL for a Passport EX-L. They are very different vehicles. The Ford is quieter and rides much better. The interior suffer from style over function - annoying lack of storage. There are several bins and cubbies, but they're either small or hard to access. Outward visibility is compromised by the style both front and rear. The Passport is better for daily use and roundtrips. Interior may not be a fancy or plush, but it's super practical. However...the ride sucks especially in the backseat where it's brutal. The chief culprit I've determined is the tires. They might say they're Continental brand, but if you do some research on Tire Rack you'll discover the particular model is the lowest rated tire in the class. I actually want to have a blowout so I can justify replacing the tires.
Lol, the new outback onyx xt is only 38k and barely smaller, similar power, a tried and true awd system and way beeter mpg. Towing is about all it has over an outback.
They’re sticking with the CVT for 2020. No sign of that changing yet. If I was buying in this segment, I’d probably be going with the Subaru Outback... despite the CVT 😉
Right now there are a lot of Subaru Outbacks on the dealer lots. They are definitely discounting. I bought a 2019 in April 2019 (which has a lot of updates even though it is not the major update for 2020) Touring 3.6 for 37k out the door. This was apparently 6.6k off the price. I am really enjoying the car. I do think this new Honda Passport looks excellent. Thanks Alex for the review.
@@normt5463 Outback and Pilot aren't even in the same category as the Regal. As nice as it is, if I'm looking for a convertible, I'm not going to compare it to pickup trucks
Norm T The outback is not especially efficient, but it’s not bad compared to the Regal because the Regal requires Premium gas. The Outback also has a very nice infotainment system with lots of hard buttons. The car drives well and has nice safety features. The 3.6 V6 really works well in that car and there are many upscale features in the touring version. It is not my ultimate car, but it will do well for me for many years.
When you make recommendations why not talk about the reliability data. Jeep makes good 4 wheel drive vehicles but their reliability record is horrid always has been.
Hey Honda, can you just give us a normal console shifter please! Ford, dodge, and Chevy can at least claim they give us funky shifters to save space, but your button shift just uses the same space as a normal PRND shifter. And to all the other manufacturers, if you're so concerned about saving space why don't you go back to the familiar column shifter? Stop showing off, it's annoying. This has been a PSA.
Honda should lose the stupid body cladding and lower the suspension at least an inch back to where it was before. That would be more attractive at least in my opinion
Where are all the fuel efficiency haters on this thing? 21 combined is not great. The Kia Telluride is MUCH larger, more powerful and only has an 8 speed, yet it has better highway efficiency and equal combined as this Honda. Think about that!
John Holst this is actually not true. Car and driver stated the telluride returned 24mpg on their highway run which is 2 less than the pilot and 1 less than this passport.
@@MrIndex67 Yes, and I'm sure somebody's grandmother could get even better mileage. But if you use the standard EPA numbers, the Kia gets 20/26/23, while the Passport gets 20/25/22. Therefore, it's slightly less efficient. I'm not saying the Honda is terrible, but rather, it should be a bit better.
John Holst I personally put more importance on real world mpg and various publications have been able to match the pilots EPA rated 26 mpg highway rating while the telluride seems to be falling short. Also while the telluride is more powerful on paper, the pilot and its shorter twin the passport are in fact faster 0-60. The telluride is a great 3 row crossover but it is neither more efficient nor more powerful out in the real world than the pilot it’s true competitor in this segment. The only thing I can agree with you on is the fact that the telluride is in fact larger and a better suit for people who regularly carry adults in the third row.
@@MrIndex67 I agree that real world is important. The problem is that "real world" is different for all drivers and conditions. And 0-60 times? Really? A tenth of a second means nothing to shoppers in this class. That's not what these vehicles do. My original point was that this Passport is not terribly efficient considering it's smaller size, less power, and more gears.
John Holst I guess it’s a glass half full situation. I am actually quite impressed with the passport when compared to the telluride. It offers more ground clearance than the telluride yet seems to match or better the telluride in mpg tests. It has a less powerful engine yet seems be faster and zippier. The passport is simply a pilot with a couple inches hacked off, no third row, and some off road aesthetics tacked on. The pilot by the way debuted back in 2015 so I’d say it’s quite impressive how well both the pilot and passport compete with the new telluride when it comes to power and efficiency.
You may on the surface appear to get more with the Grand Cherokee but it is not a substantial tow vehicle and neither is it really an off road vehicle unless you upgrade and get the lockers, etc. To be fair, none of the vehicles in this category are serious off roaders or tow vehicles. Something that none of the competitors have is Honda reliability. Definitely not the Jeep, and the Hyundai isn't known for long term durability either. The Subie is typically a tough rig except that the CVTs have a reputation for failing when used for as serious off roading as these vehicles are capable of. I don't know much about the Edge, but having had two Muranos in the immediate family, I wouldn't buy one.
Kanti123, my only thing is when the Pilot redesigns for 2022 (I'm assuming), I wonder how the refreshed Passport is gonna look (since it's based on a 3 year old Pilot already)
@@b.f.378 Possibly they will co-design two models. I understand when companies do that and I do not understand why it bothers people when two models of the same company look similar. These are two different vehicles - length, amount of seats etc... SUV sell well and Honda had nothing to put against Gr Cherokee or Highlander. So it was a good decision from then, especially considering similarities to Pilot, it was better to do it now than in two years.
Waldemar Ishibashi true, it’s just weird to have CRV then Passport. I don’t mind it though. I had CRV before my pilot and I feel like CRVs are better thought out and more features packed
@@Kanti12311 I like the CR-V interior and it is comfortable for me. I do not like the external looks but this is personal preference and I can live with it. It is very expensive though in Japan and is lacking features - no steering heating at the "masterpiece" trim. It is just pathetic when both RAV4 and Forester are cheaper and offer so much more. CR-V is 25% more expensive than Forester, with worse AWD and 1littre less in the engine volume. Too bad, there are two Honda`s in the family and I was going to take advantage of the relationship with our dealership. Unfortunately for Honda, I am an engineer and value competence highly. ;)
Honda has sled considerably from 2007 Odyssey I had. Endless transmission issues, zero innovation, 200% price increases. Good for them that people in general are more stupid and buy their crap regardless of the price.
I have been waiting for your detailed review of this Honda Passport. Your reviews are the most informative to me. Thanks
@Colin Yousef LOL.. You think reviewing your own comment using a different account is going to fool anyone?
I'm a fan of this entire "tweener" category of crossovers that average around 189"-190" in length and includes the Edge, the new Blazer, the Santa Fe, the Grand Cherokee, the Passport, the Outback, etc. As a group, they're larger than those in the compact segment but half a foot or more shorter than the larger three row crossover category. In fact, it may be surprising to find that most vehicles in this category are an inch or so shorter than a midsize sedan like the Accord and Camry, making maneuvering in traffic and parking more convenient. And if one hangs a bike rack on the back, extending the length by 12"-18" it can make the difference between fitting a vehicle in a crowded garage and lowering the door or removing the rack. When my wife and I were shopping for a new SUV last year, we zeroed in on vehicles in of this size.
In our case, though, we opted for another vehicle in the same size category -- the KIA Sorento. It's often ignored when the "tweener" group is considered because it has a third row of seats but except for offering a naturally aspirated V6 and the additional seating it's virtually identical to the Hyundai Santa Fe in terms of overall dimensions, passenger room (in the first two rows), cargo capacity, and with the same transmission, AWD system, infotainment system, switchgear, etc. Considering that the Santa Fe is essentially an updated version of the 2017 two row Sorento with the same turbo4, that's not surprising.
We're a small family (two adults, a teenage daughter, and a big dog). We could have opted for a two row crossover. In fact, the Sorento was the only three row vehicle that made it to the "finals" in our shopping. And like many Sorento owners, we keep the third row stowed over 90% of the time giving us the same cargo space as a Santa Fe or an Edge. But it's a great convenience occasionally when we have six or seven passengers on a local trip that would otherwise require two vehicles.
We're no longer in the market but if we were we'd take a serious look at the Passport. Its V6 is solid and (imo) more suited to a two ton vehicle than a turbo4 cylinder engine in terms of durability and smoothness. The AWD system is arguably the best in the mainstream class. Yes, it's essentially a shorter version of the Pilot but that's not a bad thing. I haven't driven the Passport with its nine speed transmission but I'm guessing it might be less than ideal but perfectly acceptable. I suspect we'd still opt for a Sorento (It's my wife's daily driver and I'd have to pry her cold dead fingers off the steering wheel if I insisted on replacing it) but the Passport adds another option in the "tweener" SUV category and that's not a bad thing, either.
Exactly my same situation. I have a Crv and want a slightly bigger SUV for my family of 3.
Wow, those are a lot of words for "I need a vehicle that can fit my garage and carry stuff."
Yup. I really was going to wait for the 2020 Outback refresh. But no 6cyl engine. Test drove the OB limited w/3.6r, very nice. Then test drove Passport Touring week later. Came home with it. Traded '15 Highlander, never used the 3rd row.
Very pleased with my, 2 week old, Obs. blue 2wd, Passport. 895 trouble free miles so far, LOL.
peace, e.
@@2006gtobob Somewhat more than that. The Santa Fe and Outback each has 4 cylinder turbo engine. I think a NA V6 is more durable and has smoother power delivery in a vehicle weighing over two tons. Plus the Outback has a CVT. And while I'm not a militant member of the anti-CVT brigade, I prefer a geared transmission. The Murano offered less passenger space and cargo room than the Sorento and a CVT. Looked seriously at the CX-9 but it's absurdly large (199") for a vehicle that offers less cargo space than a CR-V along with another 4 banger. The Edge Sport (now the ST) was a serious contender but the 50 Shades of Gray interior and fit and finish put it in second place. And finally, the Sorento offered the best bumper-to-bumper and power train warranty along with a naturally aspirated V6 and third row seating. All in all, it amounted to considerably more than fitting in my garage and carrying stuff.
For me this and Ridgeline are best Honda products today. I still prefer Ridgeline because of its six speed, but this Passport is great.
I just got an EX-L Passport and love it. One thing I really like about the EX-L trim versus the higher Touring and Elite is the EX-L uses matte gray plastic instead of gloss piano black for the interior. The EX-L wheels are also gray/steel instead of gloss black. The matte gray looks way way better and more upscale than the gloss black IMHO.
Are you bothered by the position of the parking break?
To my understanding the gloss black wheels are wider 8.5
I just ordered an EX-L for EXACTLY the same reason! Hate that gloss black trim.Great mind think alike! LOL.
@@franknowakowski3103 You ordered it? Like from amazon? lol
@@terence4427 Yes, it is very annoying!
Love the passport but throw in a pano roof and 360° cam and it would be absolutely perfect. Seriously Honda, just add those two items, even as available options, and it’s golden.
Been waiting for your review on the new Passport. Thanks Alex!
Great detailed review as usual. I really like the Passport. I’m leaning heavily in making this my next vehicle purchase. I own the 2018 Subaru Outback and Ive been happy with it, no problems. I want a taller driver door opening. I have arthritis pain so scrunching up to get in the Outback is getting to be a drag. I like and am the the Honda Passport, Toyota RAV4 Adventure and Subaru Forester. It’s too soon for me to buy a new vehicle but your reviews will help me make a good decision. Thank you for the detail, grade rating and comparisons.
Because of you, Im a happy and very proud owner of it. Thank you so much for the awesome reviews!
I wanted one in late April, but prices are crazy high with dealers adding dealer installed bullshit options plus market adjustment of $2k here in Houston area. I bought a Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD for $38k + TT&L and I love it!
CX9 is way sexier too, this looks exceedingly bland.
Good price on your CX9. I liked it too. But 2 weeks ago, I bought the Passport Touring, 2WD, Obsidian Blue for $38,351 total cash, drive out. My CU financed.
I talked them out of the silly, tint, nitrogen, wheel locks prices in the ProTect pkg. Was able to pay for Side Curb Lighting option w the savings.
BaytownCommunity Honda gave me the best price of 4 Houston area dealers all via email.
Hope our new rides stay trouble free. peace, e.
cheapest one i can find is $ 43,785 and that's in the whole country, lol
@@01hondascott
Pharr, Texas has the best honda prices in the country
That ZF 9 Speed is the Achilles Heal. If you press D/S twice every time it isn't as bad.
FYI, if you get the idle stop button pin schematic or just find out which wire has 12v constant and which wire the switch connects when pushed you can short those together and permanently turn off the horrific idle stop “feature”
Thanks Alex. Good to know.
I disagree that there isn't a difference in the driving experience between a Pilot and Passport. I test drove both on the same day and thought the Passport was faster and smoother. Good review, nonetheless. :)
I'm seeing these everywhere now. I guess there is a good market for people who want a 5 seater Pilot.
No
For close to 35K I'd choose the Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 2.0T. Nicer looking interior. Almost the same amount of space. More features and standard safety for the same price and a longer warranty. The real deciding factor would be that the Honda doesn't offer passenger height seat controls on any trim level and the Santa Fe does. The Passport step-in feels like it is at least 1 inch higher than the Santa Fe's. Combine that with not being about to lower the passenger seat and it makes it difficult for children, short people, or the elderly to get into the seat as easy. Once inside, for some passengers, not being about to make the seat higher to see out properly is a big deal on longer trips. For taller passengers they can not move the seat down. It is a very BIG oversight for Honda in my opinion. For average sized people they won't care.
Good point about cup holders on doors
as long as it can take a good size ladder and 4x8 boards its all good in this segment
How does the Subaru Forester compares?
I feel like they could have done more with the styling it’s a Ridgeline SUV
Wish Nissan would bring back the Xterra
I like the Xterra, but in this case, I wish Nissan would bring back the true old-school Pathfinder...
From what I understand Nissan made a new "Terra" but it's only sold in Asia, because they don't want to have to deal with US highway and safety regulations
Well, Nissan has the Murano which is a direct competitor to the Passport
I’m kinda hoping Honda brings out a full size body on frame SUV. I think 4 crossovers is enough but there’s so much space left in the SUV market.
If they didn't go body on frame to make a pickup I don't know that it's likely
Jay Mac yeah, it could do pretty well against competitors like the sequoia which is old and has bad fuel economy
Outback has a bit more ground clearance, but significantly longer front and rear overhangs.
I had my hopes high when I heard the Passport was coming back...There's not enough here to excite me. Less everyday capability than Pilot, stupid low-profile tires/wheels (not at all off-roadable), higher price. I'd definitely go for the Pilot, hands down.
Hi Alex, you do a heck of a job reviewing so many vehicles, but I have to wonder why the Passport gets the same A for 71 decibels that the Santa Fe gets for 69 decibels? I also wonder why the Passport gets another A for 21 mpg, when the Santa Fe in your Tests gets only a C+ for 22 mpg. I love that you put a lot of measurable numbers, but it seems that if you put these numbers for the Passport, you need to raise the Santa Fe scores to be consistent. Thanks again for all the reviews and all the information.
My goodness you're good! I already bought the Higlander(used) and now I am thinking of getting this or pathfinder as well....I've got to
stop watching....LOL.....feel good Alex ! and...thanks- it has made the difference in my upcoming move from NY to MN....my friends thank
you...through me....Evidently I was driving them nuts with all my questions...after I found you...it was a Home Run(June 9th I bought the Highlander)...
Thank you again., Nancy
VitaZgal go with this over the pathfinder. That Nissan cvt is terrible.
Stay with the highlander. The after 9 speed transmission is known for a lot of premature failures resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs.
@@Eagler17 Thank you very much!
Aw man, it's such a missed opportunity for Honda to not put their new 10-speed in this.
Pikminiman I don’t think the current Pilot platform is designed for the new 10 speed
Although Honda won't comment officially, cost is the main reason the 10-speed isn't in this model.
@@f181234 But the Odyssey, which is based on the Pilot's platform, has a 10 speed on the higher trims.
Hermit527 the current odyssey was redesigned in 2017 on a completely different platform the current pilot/passport uses the old Odyssey/Mdx platform when they redesign the pilot/passport they’ll probably add the 10spd
I bet it becomes an option when they refresh this in a few years
I'd consider this SUV if it had better fuel economy and c02 emissions. Hybrid engine option would be a big boost.
Lifted=worse aerodynamics= less mpg
Do you mean the savings between the given MPG and the higher you wish for would allow you to travel the world? Or maybe consume even more Beluga caviar?
All that MPG race is government propaganda! When was the last time you protested a toll on a turnpike? Or higher taxes the government attached to each gallon of gas you consume. And I am not even talking the sales tax you pay or income tax you pay or the illegal aliens you pay for. .... capisci?
James It is an ULEV.
@@madanielk6526 The type that worry about CO2 output are the type that *want* higher taxes, so not going to convince them with that argument.
@@alliejr Check the co2 emissions. Typical of a 21mpg SUV. Not great 😔
So it's basically the Honda Pilot Lorena Bobbit Edition.
Great video Alex .
I'm going with the Santa Fe. I want a panoramic sunroof.
I can't wait for the 2020 Subaru Outback.
The engine is about the only upgrade but the 2.4T is only seeing 19 mpg on fuelly with the Ascent.
The 2018 Regal TourX 2.0T with torque vectoring AWD and +$10,00 off MSRP is a better deal for more car
@@jjm2948 Towing 4800 lbs with a CVT? Scary!
Great review from Alex as usual. It’s funny how these car manufacturers are toting crossovers as off road utility vehicles. They just don’t have the ground clearance or suspension setup for more than a rough dirt road for occasional use. With that said, when my Santa Fe sport 2.0 finally dies (if it ever does) I’ll be looking at one of these for daily driver use. It’s hard to beat Honda’s reliability and practicality.
The biggest disappointment with the new Passport is it doesn't have the latest version of the Honda safety systems that we see on the newest Accord. Things like automatic braking are MISSING, replaced by a BRAKE warning in the dashboard. Not surprising since its missing on the refreshed Pilot as well. The Acura RDX has the newer version and I think a lot of folks will cross-shop the RDX. I know I will.
Accord infotainment plus 10 speed tran would make this a killer 😩
Thanks Alex! You and Sofyan are my favorite car reviewers!
20 inch wheel for trail vehicle? Those tires will get damaged. Also roof rails should be standard on a "trail vehicle " like this, why go all the way to the touring
Lets be honest, no one is bringing this on any trails, and the worst it may ever see is a well leveled gravel driveway one time.
@@BoopSnoot Yep, most action my Passport Touring, 2wd will see is soft, Gulf Coast Sandy beaches in S.E. Texas.
I'm good with that. peace y'all.
I wanted to love the Passport, but four things make me groan...most of it subjective and MY opinion of course:
1 - Poor MPG. It could be mildly acceptable, but given it was a bit smaller than the Pilot, I expected to gain one or two MPG. That is a thirsty V6 and the fat tires don't help.
2 - Ugly shiny piano black plastic on dash and steering wheel. It shouts CHEAP and is always dusty and smudged. Go with a nicely designed matte texture or anything not glossy/shiny black...dumb.
3 - Short sidewall tires (oversized wheels). As noted in other reviews, there is little gained with ever-shrinking "sporty" sidewalls on tires, a pinch of handling I suppose, but you lose out on ride quality, replacement tire price and off-roading over anything bigger than pebbles. That is unless you enjoy popping a tire or bending a wheel on a small rock.
4 - Instrument cluster, oh I do not like it at all. Reminds me of 80s GM cars, when they that the speedometer that was number left to right with a long needle. I don't like that tacky tachometer. I know it's just me stuck on circular gauges, but that just seems cheap as well. Not elegant or masculine, just like some pre-school kids picked it out from a few dozen choices.
Oh well, I guess my 2003 Accord is gonna have to find a different replacement. I'd like to sit a little higher because I can't see anything in traffic with SUVs and over-sized sasquatch-ready full-size pickups. No one can place anything in the truck beds without a ladder any more...stupid...bigger is NOT better in this case. I get LOTS of offers for my 1997 Nissan Frontier extended cab truck. You can see in the bed and put things in there and take things out without hopping up or getting a ladder or renting a crane or using a jet-pack. Actually FUNCTIONAL. Sorry, didn't mean to go off-topic, King Kong sized pickups are another peeve.
Good summary. It's a bit of a letdown for Honda fans. Basically a stunted Pilot, which itself is a disabled minivan (worse doors, worse handling, worse mileage, and worse carrying capacity than the Odyssey).
That said, its a 2 row crossover. It'll sell millions.
Excellent points OVP. I dont like rubberband-like tires and mediocre mileage, either. It's been 17 years since I bought my 03 Pilot and this thing comes up short as I look for its replacement.
How does this compare to Acura RDX?
Can you open the glass on the hatch without opening the hatch itself?
No it is fixed
Excellent comprehensive review. Does the Passport have cylinder deactivation?
4:29
Why do you trash the suspension but then give it an A ?
I’m interested in the Passport, but I just keep thinking about that black plastic trim is going fade after a couple of years.
For 35k I'd get an off lease Escalade. However we already have a 2016 Outback with zero issues and retain a very high resale value.
This or the Kia Telluride?
Passport, Telluride, '20 Highlander Hybrid is my shortlist, too.
Highlander's interior in my opinion is faaar inferior to the passport or telluride
too bad the Honda couldn't put the 10-speed transmission since almost everyone keeps complaining about the zf 9-speed transmission.
is there a reason you avoided Edge comparisons in this? You mention the Murano and who knows how often the CR V even though its not supposed to be compared...but the Edge is not even part of the listings.
when you FINALLY bring up the Edge at the end, you mention the Passports standard power being higher...but never mention the poor MPGs of the Passport's 6. In fact, you gave it an A!!?
The excellent Ecoboost 4 in the Edge is pretty good MPG
An A for 21 average on a mid-sized SUV ?
Weird.
I was wondering the same. Both 5 seat versions of 7 seat cars. (I know edge and explorer are different platforms now but back in CD3 days) and available transverse 3.5 V6. Seems an apt comparison.
Let me get this straight a CRV is small than a Rav4 on your chart?
It aint vehicle length, must be vehicle volume measurement.
@@BoopSnoot it is by vehicle length. The RAV4 is longer than the CR-V.
@@jessebrinker3706 You kidding? 180.9" vs 180.6"... even a Japanese girl wouldn't notice 0.3" difference in length.
Also the nissan vs the passport
The Murano looks way smaller than it is
great review
AAAA? - Alex is biased towards Honda vehicles. Based on his A/A+ scores across the board at the time, I've purchased my 2017 Ridgeline. Great buy!
Funny. I’m always often accused of being a Honda hater. 🤷♂️
I recently traded in my 2021 Acura RDX (SH-AWD + Technology) after 3 months of ownership, for a 2021 Honda Passport Touring. The reason being the shallow hatch height of 30” in the Acura, which prevented me from putting in a full-size dog crate that’s 31” tall, and could not fit even my medium-sized mountain bike within the hatch area. These are just regular use cases and Acura’s design team need to be fired for not considering these. The 2022 MDX, a much larger vehicle, also has the same 30” hatch height problem.
For comparison, the Honda CRV’s hatch is 36” tall (a sheer marvel in packaging) and the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport have 33-34” of hatch height. My new 2021 Honda Passport Touring meets all of my utility vehicle needs……can easily fit the dog crate, can easily swallow up the mountain bike.
Having said that, Acura is not the only culprit here…….the Subaru Ascent, the Subaru Forester, the Subaru Crosstrek, the Toyota RAV4 are all in the unusably shallow hatch height category and it is a shame to call these utility vehicles, if they cannot cater to such mundane use cases
I’d like to see this with silver alloy wheels
"The Outback starts at $26,345, less than the Subaru" LOL. Otherwise excellent reveiw.
I caught that too. lol
I have 2018 Toyota Highlander and get over 30 mpg on highway with v6!
Tom Drummy it’s smaller than most in its segment and that has its pros and cons.
Still doesnt have full stop adaptive cruise control.
Do all models tow 5000 lbs?
thanks, good review
What are the torque ratios?
I like it mostly, but what is honda thinking with the pricing on this. Way too expensive . and a "go anywhere suv" with 20" wheels and as tires. So you'll have to buy aftermarket wheels tires to make it somewhat capable off-road. I know its a honda and its going to hold its value and be far more reliable than any jeep. It's a swing and a miss
What are your thoughts on the passport versus the Acura RDX? I feel like there’s a bit or overlap when it comes to msrp between the two when comes to the elite trim passport
jojo0827 Smaller luxury model vs. larger mainstream model. The age old question.
jojo0827 completely different cars that’s like comparing a Toyota 4 runner and a Lexus RX similar MSRP but totally different
f181234 is it though? Passenger volume on both are fairly similar. They’re both car based crossovers with two rows of seating. They both have torque vectoring awd systems. They have similar equipment levels when comparing the top trim passport. Their msrp are within spitting distance. They definitely seem more similar to each other than your comparison of the rx vs 4Runner
jojo0827 Passport is half size up for sure... both longer and wider. Legroom may be close, but Passport is larger. Middle seat in Passport is FAR more comfortable than RDX. That said, what are you really asking? Same manufacturer. Same levels of quality and reliability. Drive them both and pick what you like.
alliejr the difference is 10 cu. ft. In passenger volume between the two. I have driven the two and I’m split between the merits of either. Which is why I’m asking Alex’s and the fellow viewers opinions...
His head near the tailgate @7:35 gives me anxiety.
I like it but wish it was more loaded like the CX-5 Signature for that price. I could get over that for a V-6 but the blackout look comes off cheap. That all black trim look will always look like the cheapest base model on the lot with old black steel wheels. It would look much better and less cheap if thty offered some chrome, brushed aluminum grill and wheels. Something along the lines of the X-terra which looked more premium on the outside but was a well respected off-roader. Thanks again Alex for another great review.
Spunky they do offer differnt wheels but are $2000 extra. Unless you get them in a package. Im with you all the black comes off looking cheap. There should be no cost options for the same wheels in dark gray or chrome like. Not everyone is into the blacked out look. The piano black in the interior isnt going to age well either.
God why can’t they put a normal big center console armrest. 🤦🏻♂️
I wonder if the decision is purposeful. The way it is now, without a large central console, the seats can accommodate larger bodies with ease. Maybe Honda is designing for that flexibility, regardless of the "active consumer" ad copy?
It does have armrests for the driver and passenger though right? It was hard to see in the video
Yeah it does. I actually like how it's done. They're attached to the seat so they don't impinge on the space next to you like a central console/armrest would do.
Do you like captain type chairs? What is your experience with them?
I have them in my car and I prefer it over any other option. They don`t extra place, are close to the body and they move with the seat so are always comfortable - doesn`t matter how tall someone is and how much they move the chair.
Waldemar Ishibashi: I like captain chairs but with one caveat: it’s best if the armrest is able to lock in a place you can set. I’m not sure if the Honda has this feature. With a ratcheting/lock mechanism you can set the armrest exactly where you want it and not just perpendicular to the seat back.
Alex, since you have driven both this and the new RAV4 Adventure, which do you like better as a daily driver that can traverse dirt roads for daily use and better in awd when the terrain gets a little rougher/tougher? I realize the gas mileage will be a loss in the Honda, but I'd trade the extra power and space if the honda outshines the Rav Adventure. I like the smaller size of the Rav, but I'm not sure it will perform off road as well as the Honda. Thanks for the help.
Hey serious question. Would you rather get this or the blazer?
From what I've read so far, the Blazer is an embarrassment.
Still no proper AWD system in CR-V. There could be an "adventure" option. I might close my eyes on style then. :)
I own a 2019 S-Fe 2.4 and a 2016 Outback 2.5. Overall I prefer driving the S-F over the Outback. Now thinking about trading the Outback for the all new Palisade.
Whats s-fe?
@@jd2890 Santa Fe
@@asherkothapalli how do you like it? I am thinking of buying one.
@@jd2890 I own a 2016 Pilot, so far its the best in passenger space, can easily carry 8 people, I have driven other 3 Row SUVs but none like the Pilot. Not sure about the Passport, looks good to me but I cannot go for it as I own the Pilot.
Bextar636, we traded a 2017 Outback 3.6R in for a 2019 Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T. Much smoother ride in the Hyundai than the Subbie, the Subbie had a better engine though. But if you aren’t racing around the Santa Fe is nicer & affordable with the 0% financing plus discounts.
So the price of the passport is higher than less expensive competitors. I guess I cannot argue with that
I would take the Honda Accord Crosstour as it has the same engine but the 6 speed auto and basically the same amount of interior space
I bought a new '13 Crosstour EX-L, traded in my '12 Ridgeline-RTS. CT is very roomy indeed.
But also bought '19 Passport Touring 2 weeks ago. Very, very roomy, runs great too. peace, e.
Look at the IIHS ratings and Subaru beats them all>
Great review as usual, Alex! I wanted to like this but think I will wait for improvements (interior, transmission). I think Honda missed the mark here. I was excited about the 2020 Outback but do not like the infotainment system - may go for a 2019 3.6R Outback (not my favorite engine either but can live with it).
Passport or RDX?
RDX
Great review. Is the AWD system in the Passport the same as in the Pilot? Thanks.
The powertrain is exactly the same. The only difference is that you can get Honda's 6-spd trans in the lower Pilot trim levels.
So what makes this more off road capable? There's no transfer case. No skid plates. No air suspension. It really just seems like a smaller Pilot with an extra inch of ground clearance.
And active torque vectoring.
@@valdius85 Seems that feature is more for on road performance, just as it is in the RDX, MDX and so forth.
@@johnholst Will it work when one wheel is up in the air with no traction? Will it act similarly to LSD. Do you have YT? :)
@@valdius85 Well, I agree it's better than not having it. But it's still Honda just cheaping out on this model. They didn't add any new capability to this. They just used what they had in their parts bin. I don't have a problem with that except they are calling it "rugged" and fit for "offroad". It's clearly not. If they were just marketing it as bigger than a CRV and smaller than a Pilot, I wouldn't complain. See my point?
@@johnholst Yes, I do.
I like Passport but I see your point.
In my head, it is not a competition for Land Cruiser or any "serious" Jeep. It seems to be a better take than what Subaru is doing recently (no LSD) and I think that is the market. Which is fine, I seem to be their target group - slightly better AWD unibody SUV.
I drove the Elite passport yesterday and was very underwhelmed. I thought the blazer handled much better and shifted much better with more power on tap. So far I like the Outback XT the best though as its the most comfortable with the least amount of road noise and the best ride.
I always get toyota ads when I am watching honda videos. Toy must know.
"...The Blazer is the family vehicle that actually appeals to the whole family, and for that reason it upsets the Honda(Passport)on its home court."
I think the Motor Trend staff was weeping when they wrote that!
We traded in a Ford Edge SEL for a Passport EX-L. They are very different vehicles. The Ford is quieter and rides much better. The interior suffer from style over function - annoying lack of storage. There are several bins and cubbies, but they're either small or hard to access. Outward visibility is compromised by the style both front and rear. The Passport is better for daily use and roundtrips. Interior may not be a fancy or plush, but it's super practical. However...the ride sucks especially in the backseat where it's brutal. The chief culprit I've determined is the tires. They might say they're Continental brand, but if you do some research on Tire Rack you'll discover the particular model is the lowest rated tire in the class. I actually want to have a blowout so I can justify replacing the tires.
I wouldn't hope you get a blowout, but if you do switch tires feel free to share your experience! -Travis
Ugh!!!! That push button gear selector! Why Honda, why?
get over it... they listen to customers and most like it. you get used to it in like a day or two.
@@disco.lemonade Not this one. I'll keep what I have.
So... no 360 degree camera!
Still not a great replacement for my 2017 limited highlander which I dearly hate.😂😂
Ziy Mohs why do u hate it
@@ibrahimhasanovic1708 sound system
Navigation
No android
Wind noise
Under powered
......
@@ziyamohs9221 it's criminal that Toyota just recently started putting android auto/apple carplay in their cars.
@@trippplefive
Along with the low speed adaptive cruise .
Ziy Mohs the highlander is underpowered? so just like all other toyotas
Alex is this base on Acura RDX?
No power driver seat on the Sport.
Why you got two videos on same car?
Because he was able to test it for a full week at his home base.
Have you even listened to the first one? There is a difference between launch event and seven day testing at home grounds.
Lol, the new outback onyx xt is only 38k and barely smaller, similar power, a tried and true awd system and way beeter mpg. Towing is about all it has over an outback.
Yeah and that shit CVT. The infotainment is a pain in the ass as well otherwise I’d go for it.
Look, Honda's VCM is a huge issue since there is no way to disable it. And please, no VCMTuner or equivalent. Not interested.
these cars should have column shifters!!!
Passport remastered song lol 😂 Alex on autos 😂 well done sir!
No CD player??????? OMG. I need CD player
Because it’s 1998 where you are?
@@theresabrown5383 😂😂
Will upcoming Subaru outback get a nonCVT ie real transmission that can handle towing and off-road with more reliability?
They’re sticking with the CVT for 2020. No sign of that changing yet.
If I was buying in this segment, I’d probably be going with the Subaru Outback... despite the CVT 😉
@@chrisgarty I might do that as well. Turbo model, add aftermarket CVT oil cooler and maybe upgrade engine oil cooling system ;)
Right now there are a lot of Subaru Outbacks on the dealer lots. They are definitely discounting. I bought a 2019 in April 2019 (which has a lot of updates even though it is not the major update for 2020) Touring 3.6 for 37k out the door. This was apparently 6.6k off the price. I am really enjoying the car.
I do think this new Honda Passport looks excellent. Thanks Alex for the review.
You could have gotten an up to date Regal TourX 2.0T with torque vectoring AWD for +$10,000. Longer warranty and much more efficient than OB 3.6.
@@normt5463 Outback and Pilot aren't even in the same category as the Regal. As nice as it is, if I'm looking for a convertible, I'm not going to compare it to pickup trucks
Norm T The outback is not especially efficient, but it’s not bad compared to the Regal because the Regal requires Premium gas. The Outback also has a very nice infotainment system with lots of hard buttons. The car drives well and has nice safety features. The 3.6 V6 really works well in that car and there are many upscale features in the touring version. It is not my ultimate car, but it will do well for me for many years.
When you make recommendations why not talk about the reliability data. Jeep makes good 4 wheel drive vehicles but their reliability record is horrid always has been.
Hey Honda, can you just give us a normal console shifter please! Ford, dodge, and Chevy can at least claim they give us funky shifters to save space, but your button shift just uses the same space as a normal PRND shifter. And to all the other manufacturers, if you're so concerned about saving space why don't you go back to the familiar column shifter? Stop showing off, it's annoying. This has been a PSA.
They are holders for water bottles not CUPS! Don’t put cups in the doors! Why would you do that? Oye!!
Isn’t a person better off with Acura RDX
Honda should lose the stupid body cladding and lower the suspension at least an inch back to where it was before. That would be more attractive at least in my opinion
Where are all the fuel efficiency haters on this thing? 21 combined is not great. The Kia Telluride is MUCH larger, more powerful and only has an 8 speed, yet it has better highway efficiency and equal combined as this Honda. Think about that!
John Holst this is actually not true. Car and driver stated the telluride returned 24mpg on their highway run which is 2 less than the pilot and 1 less than this passport.
@@MrIndex67 Yes, and I'm sure somebody's grandmother could get even better mileage. But if you use the standard EPA numbers, the Kia gets 20/26/23, while the Passport gets 20/25/22. Therefore, it's slightly less efficient. I'm not saying the Honda is terrible, but rather, it should be a bit better.
John Holst I personally put more importance on real world mpg and various publications have been able to match the pilots EPA rated 26 mpg highway rating while the telluride seems to be falling short. Also while the telluride is more powerful on paper, the pilot and its shorter twin the passport are in fact faster 0-60. The telluride is a great 3 row crossover but it is neither more efficient nor more powerful out in the real world than the pilot it’s true competitor in this segment. The only thing I can agree with you on is the fact that the telluride is in fact larger and a better suit for people who regularly carry adults in the third row.
@@MrIndex67 I agree that real world is important. The problem is that "real world" is different for all drivers and conditions. And 0-60 times? Really? A tenth of a second means nothing to shoppers in this class. That's not what these vehicles do. My original point was that this Passport is not terribly efficient considering it's smaller size, less power, and more gears.
John Holst I guess it’s a glass half full situation. I am actually quite impressed with the passport when compared to the telluride. It offers more ground clearance than the telluride yet seems to match or better the telluride in mpg tests. It has a less powerful engine yet seems be faster and zippier. The passport is simply a pilot with a couple inches hacked off, no third row, and some off road aesthetics tacked on. The pilot by the way debuted back in 2015 so I’d say it’s quite impressive how well both the pilot and passport compete with the new telluride when it comes to power and efficiency.
The foot brake bothers me so much and so this model is out for me
Yep, and no auto brake hold. I cant live without ABH.
Foot brake is simpler and less prone to failure compared to the electric one
gianfrancoa the issue is that it was places so close to footrest and it’s very uncomfortable for tall drivers
@@gianfrancoa,...So are hand crank windows,.....
@@indycric I'm 6 3 and I'm OK when driving our 2014 Highlander, so must be a Honda thing
Honda needs Toyota's transmission not cvt but real transmission because it's the best transmission in the market.
You may on the surface appear to get more with the Grand Cherokee but it is not a substantial tow vehicle and neither is it really an off road vehicle unless you upgrade and get the lockers, etc. To be fair, none of the vehicles in this category are serious off roaders or tow vehicles. Something that none of the competitors have is Honda reliability. Definitely not the Jeep, and the Hyundai isn't known for long term durability either. The Subie is typically a tough rig except that the CVTs have a reputation for failing when used for as serious off roading as these vehicles are capable of. I don't know much about the Edge, but having had two Muranos in the immediate family, I wouldn't buy one.
Tbh, it’s too much like Pilot. This car need to be radically different
Why? What is the point of that? The Germans do that for ages and they are fine. For me, I would prefer CR-V to be similar as well.
Kanti123, my only thing is when the Pilot redesigns for 2022 (I'm assuming), I wonder how the refreshed Passport is gonna look (since it's based on a 3 year old Pilot already)
@@b.f.378 Possibly they will co-design two models. I understand when companies do that and I do not understand why it bothers people when two models of the same company look similar.
These are two different vehicles - length, amount of seats etc...
SUV sell well and Honda had nothing to put against Gr Cherokee or Highlander. So it was a good decision from then, especially considering similarities to Pilot, it was better to do it now than in two years.
Waldemar Ishibashi true, it’s just weird to have CRV then Passport. I don’t mind it though. I had CRV before my pilot and I feel like CRVs are better thought out and more features packed
@@Kanti12311 I like the CR-V interior and it is comfortable for me. I do not like the external looks but this is personal preference and I can live with it.
It is very expensive though in Japan and is lacking features - no steering heating at the "masterpiece" trim. It is just pathetic when both RAV4 and Forester are cheaper and offer so much more. CR-V is 25% more expensive than Forester, with worse AWD and 1littre less in the engine volume.
Too bad, there are two Honda`s in the family and I was going to take advantage of the relationship with our dealership. Unfortunately for Honda, I am an engineer and value competence highly. ;)
Reviewer must be high comparing a four cylinder turbo Santa Fe t the great Passport. He is paid for by Hundai
Hyundai just makes better cars
Honda has sled considerably from 2007 Odyssey I had. Endless transmission issues, zero innovation, 200% price increases. Good for them that people in general are more stupid and buy their crap regardless of the price.