2002 Honda Passport Review
2002 Honda Passport Review
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Used Passport for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Rugged good looks, roomy rear seat, Honda dealers will give one away if you push hard enough.
Cons
- Poor ride quality, suspension not capable of serious boulder-bashing, front seats offer all the support and comfort of a lawn chair.
What’s new
There are no significant changes to the Passport this year.
Edmunds says
There are some good midsize SUVs available. This is not one of them.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Honda Passport LX 2WD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.68 per gallon for regular unleaded in Washington.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Washington
$348/mo for Passport LX
Passport LX
vs
$245/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
The Honda Passport has been quietly going about its business for the past eight years. While the bulk of attention in the mid-sized sport-ute segment is directed toward the Ford Explorer, Toyota 4Runner, Dodge Durango and Nissan Pathfinder, the Passport has evolved to offer a combination of power, space and versatility that, if not compelling, at least comes in an attractive wrapper.
The Passport first arrived in 1993 as a re-badged Isuzu Rodeo, an arrangement that allowed Honda to get in on the hot SUV craze without engineering its own truck. In 1998, the Passport was completely redesigned. Still built by Isuzu in its Lafayette, Ind., plant, the Honda got bigger inside, more comfortable and more powerful.
The standard 205-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 makes 214 pound-feet of torque at a relatively low 3,000 rpm, providing enough get-up-and-go to satisfy most weekend warriors. But with no optional V8 engine available, the Passport compares poorly to other models in this class. Even the Pathfinder's V6 makes up to 250 horsepower.
The content-heavy base LX and dressed-up EX trim levels are available with two- or four-wheel drive. The 4WD transfer case is a shift-on-the-fly affair operated via a poorly located dash-mounted button. The Passport feels undersprung off-road and mushy on the highway, failing to please in either environment. Isuzu's Rodeo gets a driver-selectable suspension system to help in this regard, but doesn't share that particular toy with Honda.
Four-wheel-drive models get disc brakes at each corner, while rear-wheel-drive models get discs in front and drums in back. For safety, ABS and dual front airbags are standard on all models. Power windows, power locks, dual power mirrors, cruise, air conditioning and an eight-speaker stereo with cassette are also standard. The EX trim level adds a four-speed automatic transmission, foglights, interior woodgrain trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual heated power mirrors, power moonroof and keyless remote entry. There's also a luxury package for the EX that includes a four-way power driver seat, leather upholstery and door panel trim, in-dash CD changer and two-tone paint with body side molding.
Fit and finish fails to live up to Honda standards, but most materials are of decent quality. You and your passengers will also appreciate the Passport's user-friendly ergonomics. Front seat comfort is lacking, but rear seats are roomy and supportive. With the backseat folded down, 81.1 cubic feet of cargo space is available.
Outside, the Passport is a handsome devil. Its square profile has the aspect of compact muscularity, making it a natural campsite companion. A luxury package-equipped EX, with its multi-spoked alloy wheels, two-tone paint and body cladding, is equally well suited to carry you to the opera.
Competitors in this segment get all the attention for a reason. Considering that we've had less than stellar experiences with the Passport and Isuzu Rodeo, and considering that J.D. Power and Associates' names the Passport one of the poorest quality vehicles sold, we recommend shopping for something else. Even if that something else is a Rodeo, which comes with a far superior warranty package.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Honda Passport.
5 star(39%)
4 star(19%)
3 star(16%)
2 star(19%)
1 star(7%)
31 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
I'm sold on Honda (or Isuzu!)
James Garnett, 08/10/2018
2001 Honda Passport EX 2WD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
This car was amazing. It lasted 360,000 miles with minimal repairs. It had some work to transmission (automatic) but nothing huge. It always had plenty of room to carry stuff and was a great camping/traveling vehicle when my kids were young. It was only retired because it could not pass smog and the part it needed is no longer available. If this is indicative of Honda cars it is amazing. … (The 2001 Passport actually had an Isuzu engine, but was built by Honda as they made their first foray into the SUV market.) I was so impressed with the car that my second SUV is also a Honda (2018). Not the best gas mileage, but it was a "trooper" as far as running and getting us all over the country in cold and hot weather. My kids were brought home from the hospital in this car and they have ridden in it up to high school. They told me they would miss it very much!
3.75 out of 5 stars
2002 4WD Honda Passport
Jody, 04/11/2007
2002 Honda Passport EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
Except for substantial wind noise, and some body integrity issues, this has been a fairly reliable vehicle. I just got new tires and it has improved greatly. It runs great in the 4WD mode for heavy snow. The front seat seems to "fade" and needs adjusting fairly regularly. Gas mileage is average for a midsized SUV. Before I got new tires, it seemed to have several rattles, but this is … improved with new rubber. I would recommend replacing the tires before you need to. There is plenty of room in the back seat, and lots of storage when rear seats are folded down. I intend to keep it til it dies, much to the chagrin of the mechanics. They don't like to work on them.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Well, mine is good
redg, 04/04/2011
2001 Honda Passport LX 2WD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
I've read all the reviews and I did have to replace the fuel sensor at about 35000 miles ($450).
The ride is rough without a couple bags of sand in the rear.
I've had virtually NO problems with this car.
The Check Engine light started coming on.
Removed the EGR Valve (in a very easy location) and cleaned out the carbon to good results.
Would I buy it again?
Probably not.
My friend's … Mazda Tribute was the same year, got better gas mileage, rode much better and had no problems at all.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Starting problem
bsox, 08/01/2011
2002 Honda Passport EX 4WD 4dr SUV w/Luxury Package (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
I have had my passport for 6 yrs. I love it.
I have had no problems except for now.
I have 92,000 mi. on it & ow there is a starting problem.
The car starts then imediatley stalls, the 2nd. time I start it , it starts right up.
No mechanic can figure it out & no ingine lite is on.
I was told it could be an ignition switch or a fuel pump relay.
Has anyone had this problem?
It doesn't … matter if it is cold or hot .
I still get 18 to 21 mpg.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2002 Honda Passport, so we've included reviews for other years of the Passport since its last redesign.
2002 Passport Highlights
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $23,300 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $348/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 33 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Passport include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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