The 2020 Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV built on a truck frame

The 2020 Honda Passport is a five-seat sport utility vehicle that Honda designed specifically for off-road driving and outdoor use. Unlike Honda's other SUVs, the Passport sits on a truck platform — the same frame as the Honda Ridgeline pickup — which gives it a body-on-frame construction rather than the unibody design most car-based SUVs use. This means it handles rough terrain differently and carries weight differently than competitors like the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Honda introduced the Passport name as a revival of a model that had not been sold since 2002. The 2020 model year was the second generation of the modern Passport, arriving after the nameplate returned in 2019. If you are looking at a used 2020 Passport, you are looking at a vehicle that is now four to five years old, depending on when it was manufactured.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2020 Passport uses a truck frame and body-on-frame construction, making it more capable off-road than car-based SUVs but potentially less comfortable on highways.
  • It comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
  • The Passport seats five people and offers a rear cargo area, but does not have a third row of seating like larger SUVs.
  • Trim levels for 2020 include Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with each adding features like leather seats, navigation, and advanced safety technology.
  • Fuel economy for the 2020 Passport ranges from 19 to 21 miles per gallon depending on driving conditions and transmission type.

Engine, transmission, and drivetrain specifications

The 2020 Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine is the same one Honda uses in the Ridgeline pickup and the Pilot three-row SUV. It is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels as standard — there is no front-wheel-drive option for the Passport.

The all-wheel-drive system includes multiple terrain modes that adjust how the engine, transmission, and brakes work depending on driving conditions. The 2020 Passport offers modes for snow, mud, sand, and rock crawling, along with a standard driving mode. These modes change throttle response, traction control settings, and transmission shift points to help the vehicle perform in different environments.

Real-world fuel economy for the 2020 Passport ranges from 19 miles per gallon in city driving to 21 miles per gallon on the highway, according to EPA estimates. Actual mileage varies based on driving habits, road conditions, and vehicle load. The Passport requires regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher, and the fuel tank holds 19.5 gallons.

Interior layout and seating capacity

The 2020 Passport seats five people across two rows. The front seats are separate bucket seats with adjustable lumbar support on higher trim levels. The rear bench seat folds down to create additional cargo space, but there is no third row of seating — if you need to carry more than five people regularly, the Passport is not the right choice.

Cargo space behind the rear seats measures 39.3 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded flat, that expands to 76.5 cubic feet. The Passport does not have a roof rack as standard equipment, though roof rails are available on most trim levels. The rear liftgate opens upward and includes a power option on higher trims.

Interior materials vary by trim level. Base Sport and EX models use cloth upholstery, while EX-L and Touring trims offer leather seats. All models include air conditioning, power windows, and power door locks. Higher trims add heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Technology and infotainment features

The 2020 Passport comes standard with a 5-inch touchscreen display that controls the audio system and climate settings. This base system does not include smartphone integration. Moving up to the EX trim adds a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, allowing you to mirror your phone's apps and navigation onto the vehicle's display.

The EX-L and Touring trims upgrade to an 8-inch touchscreen and add Honda's navigation system, which includes real-time traffic information and voice control. All models include a backup camera that displays on the touchscreen when you shift into reverse. Higher trims add a surround-view camera system that shows a 360-degree view of the vehicle's surroundings.

Audio options include a standard six-speaker system on base models and an available 12-speaker premium audio system on higher trims. All 2020 Passports include Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and audio streaming, and a USB port for charging devices or connecting a flash drive with music files.

Safety features and crash test ratings

The 2020 Passport includes standard safety features across all trim levels: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping information, and road departure mitigation. These systems use cameras and radar to monitor the road ahead and alert the driver to potential hazards. Automatic emergency braking can explore the brakes if the system detects an imminent collision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2020 Passport an overall crash test rating of four out of five stars. In specific crash tests, it scored five stars for frontal crashes, four stars for side crashes, and four stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not conduct crash tests on the 2020 Passport model year.

Additional safety features available on higher trim levels include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a power liftgate with programmable height settings. All models include stability control, traction control, and multiple airbags positioned throughout the cabin.

Trim levels and what each includes

The 2020 Passport came in four trim levels: Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each step up adds features and upgrades, though all models share the same engine, transmission, and basic structure.

The Sport trim is the base model and includes the 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, backup camera, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It comes with cloth seats, manual windows and locks, and a standard suspension tuned for off-road capability.

The EX trim adds the 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power windows and locks, and a power liftgate. It also includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The EX-L adds leather upholstery, the 8-inch navigation touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and a power moonroof. The Touring, the highest trim, adds a premium 12-speaker audio system, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Common maintenance and ownership considerations

The 2020 Passport requires an oil change every 10,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first. Honda recommends using 0W-20 synthetic oil. The transmission fluid does not have a scheduled change interval under normal driving conditions, though Honda suggests checking the fluid level periodically. The all-wheel-drive system uses a separate fluid that should be inspected but typically does not require changing unless there is a leak or malfunction.

Tire rotation is recommended every 7,500 miles to may support even wear. The 2020 Passport comes standard with all-terrain tires on most trim levels, which are designed for both on-road and off-road use but wear faster than highway-focused tires. Replacement tires are widely available, though all-terrain options are more expensive than standard all-season tires.

The Passport's truck-based design means it may require more frequent brake service than car-based SUVs, particularly if driven frequently in stop-and-go traffic or towing situations. Coolant flushes are recommended every 30,000 miles. Spark plugs typically last 100,000 miles before replacement is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the 2020 Passport tow a trailer?

Yes. The 2020 Passport has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped with a trailer hitch and brake controller. This is lower than truck-based competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, which can tow up to 6,200 pounds. Check the owner's manual for specific requirements regarding hitch class and brake system setup.

How does the 2020 Passport compare to the Honda Pilot?

Both use the same engine and transmission, but the Pilot is a car-based SUV with three rows of seating and a unibody frame, while the Passport is truck-based with two rows and body-on-frame construction. The Pilot prioritizes passenger and cargo space; the Passport prioritizes off-road capability. The Pilot typically gets slightly better fuel economy and rides more smoothly on highways.

What is the difference between the Passport and the Jeep Wrangler?

The Passport is larger, seats five instead of four, and is designed more for everyday driving with off-road capability. The Wrangler is smaller, more focused on extreme off-road performance, and has removable doors and roof panels. The Passport is more comfortable for long highway drives; the Wrangler is more capable on technical trails.

Does the 2020 Passport have a spare tire?

Yes, it comes with a full-size spare tire mounted on the rear bumper. This is different from many modern SUVs that use a compact spare or tire repair kits. The full-size spare is one advantage of the truck-based design and is useful if you are driving in remote areas where tire repair shops are not nearby.

What is the turning radius of the 2020 Passport?

The 2020 Passport has a turning radius of 38.2 feet, which is larger than most car-based SUVs but typical for truck-based vehicles. This means it requires more space to make tight turns and may be challenging to park in compact spaces. The truck-based frame contributes to this larger turning radius.