2019 Honda passport adventure package
Honda renewed this model for those who want an SUV that’s smaller than a Pilot but bigger than a CR-V
HE 2019 HONDA PASSPORT expands the automaker’s SUV lineup, fitting between the small
CR-V and the three-row Pilot. This new five-passenger model competes against the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Nissan Murano.
It’s essentially a Pilot that has been shortened by 6 inches and given a bit sportier visual flair, highlighted by more black trim elements, such as the pieces surrounding the fog lamps. There are some minor hardware changes, such as a firmer suspension, that is aimed at making handling more responsive than what you’d find on the Pilot.
We recently purchased our own to find out whether this in-between SUV should be on shoppers’ lists. Ahead of our full test results, these are our initial thoughts.
WHAT WE LIKE SO FAR
The standout facet of the Passport is its smooth, refined engine. The 3.5-liter, 280-hp V6 is competitive in the Passport’s class. The engine isn’t strained under acceleration, and there’s plenty of power.
Visibility is quite good, and a standard multi-angle rearview camera is useful when drivers must look around the Passport while parking or backing into or out of a parking spot. The tall, wide cabin feels spacious, with generous room all around for front- and even second-row passengers. There’s plenty of interior storage, too.
All Honda Passports come standard with FCW, AEB, lane keep assist (LKA), and lane departure warning (LDW). The EX-L and higher trims add BSW. When factoring in how much it costs to get important safety equipment, Passport undercuts the price of comparably equipped competitors such as the Blazer, Edge, and Murano.
WHAT WE DON’T
That stellar V6 is paired with a nine-speed automatic that occasionally hesitates, particularly when drivers accelerate from a rolling start.
There’s a pronounced delay when drivers try to jump into a gap in traffic.
The ride is a bit stiff compared with the Pilot, and the steering is rather slow to respond. Despite the firmness,
there’s hardly any added agility compared with the Pilot.
The interior has some quirks as well. Too many infotainment controls are relegated to a slow and clumsy touch screen, and the seats are firm and flat. The second-row seating is fine, but it isn’t much roomier than in Honda’s smaller and less expensive CR-V.
Access is also a problem: You have to take a hearty step up to get into the Passport, especially with AWD versions,
which sits almost an inch higher off the ground than the Pilot does.
WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON ...
Our initial takeaway is that the Alabama-built Honda Passport is more mundane than its outdoorsy marketing campaign would suggest. We are particularly interested in how well the engine and transmission will work together over time.
We’ll soon see how it measures up against the Santa Fe, the all-new Blazer, and the freshened Edge.
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