When the Passport returned to the Honda SUV line-up in 2019 after a 17-year hiatus, questions abounded about whether it would succeed. The original Passport, which was Honda’s first SUV, ran from 1994 to 2002 but fizzled out at the end, selling less than 4,000 units in its final model year before being replaced by the Pilot. However, with Honda retaining the Pilot in its lineup and plenty of other midsize SUVs on the market, people wondered whether there was room for the Passport.
As it turns out, there was. By positioning the Passport as an adventure-ready, two-row version of the Pilot, it earned a second life. Yet the number of Honda Passports on the road is still outshined by rivals like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Subaru Outback, and Toyota 4Runner. Now that the 2025 Honda Passport is celebrating a lucky seven model years since rising from the ashes, I wanted to take another look at this vehicle and see where it stands. Should adventurers who want a midsize SUV be trying to find a Honda Passport for sale? Read on for the answers.
A Powertrain and Suspension for All Terrains
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: what’s under a vehicle’s hood and body is ultimately what matters most. All the bells and whistles in the world can’t overcome a good heartbeat and foundation. The third-generation Honda Passport is solid on all fronts, with a design adept on interstate highways, city streets, mountain byways, green-laning trails, and other paths.
Each 2025 Passport has a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. of torque—more horsepower than bigger midsize crossover names like the Outback, 4Runner, and Hyundai Santa Fe. Combined with the nine-speed transmission, it bolts from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, giving you a little excitement on the main roads. All-wheel drive (AWD) with Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) is standard. This actively sends up to 70% of the engine’s torque to the rear axle and distributes it to the left and right wheels as needed for maximum traction. With Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud driving modes, you can choose one, then let i-VTM4 automatically fine-tune as needed.
The suspension on the Passport lets you take advantage of this technical prowess. It has MacPherson front struts known for blending great handling, ride comfort, and a compact design. You also get a multi-link rear suspension, a front solid and tubular rear sway bar, four-wheel disc brakes, and rugged 18-inch alloy wheels to hug the pavement or dirt beneath you. The RTL, RTL Towing, and RTL Blackout have all-season tires, while the TrailSport trim (more on this later) comes with all-terrain tires—which aren’t available on any of its competitors. The ingredients add up to a great-tasting concoction that will leave you satisfied on every drive.
Towing and Cargo Capability for All Your Goodies
Whether it’s a solo trip or all five seats are full, a great adventure requires carrying more than just people. The handling shouldn’t be ruined because you have some luggage and a few toys, either. The 2025 Passport is designed to haul a heavy load while maintaining great ride quality. It has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, which can equate to a small camper, a few UTVs, or a small boat. The upper trims add roof rails that are perfect for securing a dirt bike or canoe.
Inside the Passport, you get a best-in-class 41.2 cu.ft. of cargo space with the second-row seats down and 77.7 cu.ft. with them up. That’s enough for everybody’s suitcases, beach gear, and sports equipment. Underfloor storage adds more organizational options and lets you conceal valuable or sensitive belongings. You can access the trunk with a convenient power tailgate, which is hands-free on the Black Edition. Whatever you have planned for a weekend getaway or summer vacation, the Passport will fit the necessary supplies.
Premium Comfort and Tech to Enjoy the Ride
All that cargo space must mean the Passport is cramped for people and technology, right? Wrong. The Passport matches up with all its competitors as well as its cousin, the Honda Prologue EV, giving everyone a spacious and entertaining trip. The 2025 Passport has 40.9 inches of front legroom and 39.6 inches of rear legroom on leather-trimmed seats. The headroom, shoulder room, and hip room are also nearly identical from row to row, which is something I’d like to see more often in the midsize segment. An acoustically-insulated windshield and rear privacy glass provide a barrier from the outside world. Want to let that barrier down a bit? Open the standard tilting power moonroof so the stars can glow.
Honda is known for its vehicle tech, and they fit a lot into the Passport’s interior. Although the eight-inch touchscreen is the middle of the pack, it’s stuffed to the gills with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth wireless audio streaming, HD Radio, SiriusXM capability, and a USB data port. You can listen to anything any which way through a seven-speaker, 215-watt standard audio system. There’s also a wireless phone charger, three USB charging ports, and two 12V power outlets for all your devices; the Black Edition adds a Wi-Fi hotspot so passengers don’t drain their data plans on a trip. The tech feast extends throughout the cabin with heated front seats and 10-way driver’s seat adjustments. Finally, 10 Honda Sensing driver assistance features are standard, such as a Collision Mitigation Braking System and automatic high-beam headlights.
The TrailSport Trim: An Extra Off-Road Boost
Plenty of adventures can be had on main roads and even dirt roads. Venturing onto unmaintained roads and trails requires something more—which the 2025 Honda Passport TrailSport provides. All-terrain tires are standard, and the suspension is tuned for off-roading, giving drivers more grip when they’re farther away from civilization. The wheels are 18 inches with a larger tire sidewall to compensate; this gives you improved shock absorption, better responsiveness, and a tighter turning radius to maneuver around obstacles. There’s also a satellite-based navigation system that can be used out of cellular range and all-season floor mats to protect the carpeting from mud and debris.
Can the Passport Gain Ground?
It’s clear there’s a lot to like about the Honda Passport. The question remains, though, of why such a capable and versatile vehicle continues to command such a small piece of the midsize SUV market. From where I’m sitting, the answer is two-fold. Part one is the Passport being on the sideline for so long. The mid-size SUV competition became fierce during the 17-year gap, and other nameplates gained a big edge which Honda is still struggling to overcome.
I think the other part is that even though the Honda Passport is clearly made for adventure, the average buyer just doesn’t associate Honda with this in the same way they associate automakers like Jeep, Toyota, and Subaru. I know that after decades of viewing Hondas as reliable daily drivers—not to mention my second car was a Honda Civic—I mentally still struggle a bit to think of them as an SUV adventure brand. Honda is doing what it can to change perception, but clearly, there is work to be done.
Regardless, people who know SUVs know the Honda Passport has the goods. If Honda remains committed to the Passport, seeing as a new generation is in the works, they clearly are. It’s only a matter of time before casual enthusiasts catch up to this fact. I’m looking forward to seeing more people realize the Passport can hold its own and even outperform many of its more famous thrill-seeking competitors.
