What is the Passport?
Honda's Passport fits right in between the compact CR-V and the larger, three-row Pilot SUV. The Passport's 3.5-liter V6 makes enough power to scoot it around without much effort while the Passport's generous passenger and cargo room make it plenty comfortable for a family road trip. The Passport is closer to the end of its current generation than the beginning so it's ripe for an update to help keep it competitive.
Many midsize SUVs, the Passport is not alone here, have styling that hints at adventurous exploits but few could comfortably tackle more than a gravel road. There are rumors that Honda is set to change the Passport's tepid, largely style-oriented TrailSport trim to the brand's new and improved TrailSport trim, something we saw on the recently redesigned Pilot. Upgrades could include steel skid plates to help protect the underside of the Passport against rocks, a little bit more ground clearance, unique suspension tuning, and new traction management systems specifically engineered for off-road driving.
Five-passenger midsize SUVs abound. Buyers looking for ones with real off-road credibility should check out the aging but capable Toyota 4Runner or the far more modern Jeep Grand Cherokee. If you prefer to keep your SUV on paved roads, anything from the Hyundai Santa Fe to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport to the fuel-efficient Toyota Venza are all solid choices.