Used 2021 Honda Passport

In the Honda hierarchy, the 2021 Passport 5-seater SUV slots between the compact CR-V and midsize 3-row Pilot. In many ways, the Passport incorporates the best of both those stablemates, with a roomy interior, powerful V6 engine, and 5,000-pound tow rating all in a manageable size.

Even just with front-wheel drive, the Passport makes a great year-round family vehicle. It has a terrain management system for front-drive versions as well. Further reassurance comes from excellent crash-test scores and the Honda Sensing array of driver aids as standard.

When the optional all-wheel-drive system is in the picture, the Passport becomes a weekend warrior capable of tackling off-road trails, mud, sand, and snow. It also includes an excellent torque vectoring system with four traction modes.

The advantage of not employing an old-school body-on-frame construction in favor of the more modern unibody method is that the 2021 Passport is quiet and civilized.

The steering is precise and responsive. The 9-speed automatic transmission is smooth. Shifts are well judged, and power is delivered in a linear, predictable manner.

A sophisticated torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system with 4-mode Intelligent Traction Management endows the Honda Passport with some real off-road talent. This i-VTM4 system is also in the Pilot, but the Passport’s higher ride height and more advantageous approach and departure angles make better use of it. On unpaved roads and rough conditions like sand, mud, or snow, traction kicks in effectively and powers the Passport through.

The cockpit is well designed, with a good balance of touchscreen controls and physical buttons for key functions such as volume and temperature, although there’s not much originality or color.

Changes for 2021 now mean that the base Sport trim comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen for Honda’s Display Audio infotainment system, which also includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

Interior storage space is both creative and abundant, with up to 77.9 cubic feet of cargo area — more than the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Nissan Murano. Under the cargo floor are optional plastic bins perfect for stashing valuables and gear. They’re also removable, so any gunk can be washed out, and access to the spare wheel is better.

There’s no escaping the fact that the 2021 Passport is based on the Honda Pilot, despite a more raked rear window and different sheet metal in places. Although the Passport contains the same wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles), it’s six inches shorter overall, freed from having to accommodate a third seating row. It’s also about an inch wider and rides almost an inch higher.

Riding on standard 20-inch alloy wheels, the Passport takes on its own character, more rugged and arguably better proportioned than the Pilot. Some of these changes also enhance the Passport’s off-road abilities.

EXTERIOR
Although based on the Pilot, there’s a certain ruggedness to the Passport that’s not so typically Honda-like, yet still appealing. The Passport’s smaller dimensions work well with the overall shape. It’s six inches shorter than the Pilot, yet wider and taller, giving it more presence.

I-VTM4 ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM
Unlike simple part-time all-wheel-drive setups, the 2021 Passport’s system features active torque vectoring for improved traction at each wheel, with settings for Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand.

Entry-level Sport trim includes the Honda Sensing array of driver aids (automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning/lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control), keyless entry/ignition, automatic high beams, active noise cancellation, 20-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone automatic climate controls, 5-inch LCD driver information display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 7-speaker audio setup.

EX-L brings leather seating surfaces, heated/power-adjustable front seats (10-way with lumbar for the driver, 4-way for the passenger), heated side mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, powered moonroof, integrated rear sunshades, powered tailgate, Walk Away Auto Lock, HondaLink smartphone connectivity, satellite/HD radio, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Acquiring more features for a new Passport means moving up the trim ladder, the usual Honda way of doing things. Touring adds full LED headlights, hands-free tailgate operation, heated rear seats, 115-volt outlet, navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a 10-speaker/550-watt audio system.

Elite trim brings wireless phone charging, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, self-dimming side mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers. All-wheel drive is standard in Elite trim, optional in the rest of the range.

A 3.5-liter V6 propels the Honda Passport with a sturdy 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This goes to the front wheels (FWD) or all four (AWD) depending on trim or equipment selection) through a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Some rivals use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but this configuration is far preferable, providing better towing and off-roading abilities, and quieter operation at full throttle.

For optimum fuel efficiency, this direct-injection V6 engine also has variable cylinder management, Eco Assist, and a stop/restart function when idling.

3.5-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
262 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/25 mpg (FWD), 19/24 mpg (AWD)