2023 Honda Passport SUV

　　

2023 Honda Passport Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Need more space than the typical small SUV offers but don't need three rows of seats? The 2023 Honda Passport may be just what you're looking for. It occupies the space between the smaller Honda CR-V and the larger three-row Pilot. It's essentially a smaller two-row version of the Pilot and it's our current favorite in this class. It further distinguishes itself from the Pilot with added off-road abilities that are bolstered by the introduction of last year's TrailSport trim.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Honda Passport EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$180/mo  for Passport EX-L

　　Passport EX-L

　　EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $41,100 MSRPTrailSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $43,600 MSRPElite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $46,560 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　In addition to the new trim, Honda refreshed the Passport with updated exterior styling. For 2023, the Passport is further enhanced with standard all-wheel drive across the lineup. Previously, the base EX-L was available with front-wheel drive. The addition of all-wheel drive should keep it in the top spot among two-row midsize SUVs that include the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Santa Fe. As much as we like the Passport, it's not perfect. Thankfully, the good far outweighs any of the Passport's drawbacks, which include some driver assist technology that's not always seamless in operation. Check out all the details in our Expert Rating below.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar added a Honda Passport to its long-term test fleet so we could get an in-depth ownership experience. Over the course of a full year, we found out what works well and what might need improvement. You can read all about our experiences in our Honda Passport long-term test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Passport drive? The Passport excels in terms of the on-road driving experience. The standard V6 engine delivers punchy acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission shifts smoothly. The 0-60 mph run took 6.8 seconds in zzdcar' testing, which is among the quickest in the class. The Passport also exhibits better-than-average handling characteristics. Its nicely weighted steering helps the SUV feel responsive and light in turns.

　　But there is room for improvement. While the brakes offer a consistent feel and are easy to control in routine driving, the pedal exhibits a bit of squishiness under hard braking. There's also some nosedive that can make sudden stops feel a touch skittish.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Passport? The Passport is spacious and comfortable. Though the Passport has a slightly stiffer ride than the related Honda Pilot, its suspension controls large body motions and small bumps equally well. The front seats don't offer much bolstering, but they're wide and provide hours of comfort. The reclining rear seats are also quite comfortable.

　　We also like the Passport's quiet cabin; there's very little wind and tire noise. The tri-zone climate control system is effective, as are the heated and ventilated seats. The seats also remember your last setting on vehicle startup.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below