2019 Honda Passport: Reviving A Familiar Name to Bridge the Gap Between CR-V and Pilot [Video]

Honda’s third-generation Passport has arrived, and it’s no longer a rebadged Isuzu – or a traditional SUV, for that matter.

In fact, the 2019 Honda Passport is (unsurprisingly) a crossover. Think of it more as a baby Pilot. Honda states the new Passport is a robust, capable vehicle in its own right. According to senior vice president Henio Arcangeli, Jr., “The all-new 2019 Honda Passport provides the on-road comfort and nimble handling buyers will appreciate on their daily commute with the robust off-road and all-weather capability that make for a great weekend adventure vehicle.”

Indeed, Honda teased the new Passport as an adventure vehicle by taking it off the pavement and on a dirt track. But what about the goods? The 2020 Honda Passport is a five-passenger SUV slotted between the smaller CR-V and the Pilot. It has a similar look, rides on the same platform, uses the same engine and is built in the same plant as the Pilot. Under the hood, there’s a 280 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system is also available as an option. Honda also states “[the Passport’s] four-mode Intelligent Traction Management system means Passport can tackle the kind of rough terrain normally reserved for less refined body-on-frame or off-road focused SUVs.” Sounds like a challenge, if you ask me.

Off-road cred?

The 2019 Honda Passport does have more ground clearance than the Pilot (8.4 inches with AWD, versus 7.3 inches). Front-wheel drive models have 7.8 inches of ground clearance. Bear in mind, though, it also comes with standard 20-inch alloys. It’s worth taking some caution if you do head off-road, if you don’t want to damage those larger wheels. Approach and departure angles on all-wheel drive models are 21.4 degrees and 27.6 degrees, respectively.

What about practicality?

Honda’s emphasizing the utility of the 2019 Honda Passport, particularly with its cargo space. It does offer up 77.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, which is more than the Nissan Murano or the Ford Edge. Total length comes in at 190.5 inches — six inches shorter than a Pilot and 9.9 inches longer than a CR-V. The new Passport is 78.6 inches wide and 71.6 inches tall, with a 111.0-inch wheelbase.

The 2019 Honda Passport comes with standard LED lighting all around, plus automatic stop-start. Remote engine start also comes standard, as does an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat and a 7-speaker stereo system. Honda Sensing also comes standard, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

A three-angle backup camera is also standard equipment, with an overhead view for hooking up a trailer. The front-wheel drive Passport can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the all-wheel drive version can tow 5,000 pounds.

Comfort and Technology

The 2019 Honda Passport gives you more creature comforts as you climb the trim levels. From the base Sport, there’s the EX-L, Touring and Elite. The three upper trims add perforated leather rather than cloth, as well as soft-touch materials and a blackout headliner. Sport models also feature a 5.0-inch infotainment display and a 215-watt, 6-speaker stereo system as standard. Whichever model you choose, you do get a 7.0-inch TFT screen in the instrument cluster, which includes a multi-information display.

Step up to the EX-L trim, and you get an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Touring and Elite models get a 590-watt, 10-speaker audio system, as well as onboard 4G LTE provided through AT&T.

Honda will sell two accessory packages at launch for the 2019 Honda Passport. There’s the Adventure Package, which adds running boards, a trailer hitch and a roof bin. The Urban Package, on the other hand, adds underbody spoilers, different 20-inch wheels, interior cargo storage bins and roof rails with crossbars.

Stay tuned for more updates

Pricing isn’t available yet. However, we should know more by the time the 2019 Honda Passport goes on sale in early 2019. Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates! Follow us for more coverage from the 2018 LA Auto Show.

Check back soon for our latest video on the 2019 Honda Passport!