This Honda's not a rough-and-tumble off-roader, but a comfortable road warrior that can handle trails
No, this SUV is built for wrapping its passengers in luxury, too.
I'm sitting in a TrailSport Touring finished in Ash Green Metallic with a two-tone black and brown interior that that comes with brown perforated leather seats that have orange contrast stitching.
Well, this sure is nice!
There's more: A heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel; a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster; Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto; and some very nicely detailed TrailSport embroidery in the front headrests.
On the outside, the Passport is focused on off-road driving. Think of TrailSport as Honda's answer to TRD (Toyota Racing Development), the in-house tuning-off-road arm of archrival Toyota. But unlike TRD, TrailSport isn't hardcore off-road; it's not for rock-crawling or running the Baja 1000, but is, instead, designed for trails you might encounter on the way to the cottage.
With that in mind, Honda has chosen to offer the Passport in TrailSport trim only for Canada. This means items, such as an off-road tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires, are standard on all trims. Same goes for the engine and transmission combo, which consists of a 3.5-litre, V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic.
Power from the V6 is rated at 285 horsepower and 262 pounds-feet of torque, or motive force. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). The jacked-up look, which includes the word Passport stamped into its front and rear bodywork, is standard. So are front tow hooks and 8.3 inches of ground clearance.
For a vehicle with an off-road focus, I'm struck by how comfortable the Passport is to drive
on
road. The cabin is quite quiet considering the all-terrains I'm riding around on. The V6 engine isn't built for performance, but it pushes the Passport along with authority. And the 10-speed automatic is a very smooth shifting gearbox.
The '26 Passport receives Honda's updated all-wheel drive system. Known as i-VTM4, the system can handle 40 per cent more engine torque at the rear axle. Up to 70 per cent of torque can be sent to either axle and all of that torque can be sent to either the left or right rear wheel. To ensure good traction, torque distribution varies depending on driving conditions.
There are seven drive modes, including two for off-road (sand and trail), and these the Passport's driving character. I kept to the normal setting for most of the week-long test, but also sampled eco and sport. The former is good for highway cruising and the latter makes zipping around town a little more exciting. But not much. The Passport is a family-focused SUV, after all.
The Passport's on-road handling feels secure rain or shine. Braking and steering are responsive for a big SUV, and manoeuvring through tight spaces, such as a gas station parking lot, is a breeze. I will just add that I didn't drive it off-road.
Living with the Passport is easy. Despite its many impressive features, including a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a fancy camera system, called TrailWatch, for off-roading, the Passport feels familiar.
There are buttons for climate controls. Wipers and turn signals are on steering wheel stalks. And you don't have to go hunting around for the buttons and switches. Honda has left them where they belong. Including the volume knob. Hallelujah! Plus, all the SUV positives remain: Lots of room, plenty of storage and good towing capacity.
There's not much room for nitpicking, but a few things rankle. These aren't flat-out negatives, so much as things to consider. First, the price. At $60K before taxes, the TrailSport Touring doesn't come cheap. Even the price for the base model is steep; it starts at $56,990.
And, the Passport, like its three-row Pilot sibling, has no electrification. Not even a conventional gas hybrid, of the sort Honda offers with the CR-V. Finally, putting the Passport's gear shift on a row of buttons instead of a shift lever is a real miss. The buttons work fine, but they're not intuitive. A shift lever is better. Just like a round volume knob.
But the Passport's pluses far outweigh its minuses and it's a winner.
Type:
Mid-size SUV, front-engine, all-wheel drive
Engine:
3.5-litre V6; 285 horsepower; 262 pounds-feet of torque (motive force)
Transmission:
10-speed automatic
Fuel
(Regular 87): 12.6 litres/100 km in the city; 9.9l/100 km on the highway; 11.4l/100 km combined
Cargo:
1,246 litres, or 44 cubic feet; 2,356l, or 83.2 cu. ft.
Price:
$60,540; $60,540, as tested, plus $2,000 freight
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