The 2023 Honda Passport Elite is a mid-size SUV built for off-road driving and daily use

The 2023 Honda Passport Elite sits in Honda's lineup as a three-row SUV designed for both highway driving and unpaved terrain. It shares its frame and engine with the Honda Ridgeline truck, which means it has a body-on-frame construction rather than the unibody design of most SUVs. This structure gives it more ground clearance and a higher approach angle — the angle at which the front bumper can clear obstacles — than competitors like the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler.

The Elite trim is the highest level available for the Passport. It includes leather seating, a power liftgate, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. The base price for a 2023 Passport Elite starts around $48,000 to $50,000 before taxes and destination charges, though actual prices vary by dealer and region.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 Passport Elite uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and gets roughly 17 to 19 miles per gallon depending on driving conditions.
  • It comes standard with all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and Honda Sensing safety features including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping information.
  • The Elite trim adds leather seats, a larger touchscreen, wireless phone integration, and a Bose sound system compared to lower trims.
  • Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, which is lower than truck-based SUVs but sufficient for small trailers and jet skis.
  • The Passport seats five passengers across two rows, not three, despite being classified as a mid-size SUV.

Engine, Transmission, and Fuel Economy

The 2023 Passport Elite is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. All Passports come with all-wheel drive as standard; there is no front-wheel-drive option.

Fuel economy sits at 17 miles per gallon in the city, 23 on the highway, and 19 combined according to EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends heavily on driving style and terrain — owners who spend time on rough roads or tow frequently report lower numbers. The fuel tank holds 19.5 gallons, which gives a theoretical range of around 370 miles on a full tank under highway conditions.

The Passport does not offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. If fuel economy is a priority, competitors like the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee offer hybrid versions that achieve better mileage, though they cost more.

Interior Features and Comfort in the Elite Trim

The Elite trim includes perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. The second row has a 60/40 split-folding bench seat that can slide forward and backward to balance passenger comfort against cargo space. There is no third row — the Passport is a five-passenger vehicle only.

The infotainment system is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning you can connect your phone without a cable. The Bose premium audio system has nine speakers and includes a subwoofer. Climate control is dual-zone automatic, so the driver and front passenger can set different temperatures.

Storage includes a 9.3-cubic-foot center console, door pockets, and a cargo area of 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The power liftgate opens and closes at the push of a button, which is standard on the Elite but not on lower trims.

Safety Features and Driver information

All 2023 Passports come with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-information technologies. This includes adaptive cruise control (which maintains a set distance from the car ahead), lane-keeping information (which gently steers you back if you drift), collision mitigation braking (which applies the brakes if a crash is imminent), and road departure mitigation (which alerts you if you're drifting off the road).

The Passport earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2023. It received five stars for frontal crash, side crash, and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a "Good" rating in most crash tests, though it did not receive the top "Superior" rating for crash prevention features.

Standard safety equipment includes eight airbags, electronic stability control, and a backup camera. The Elite trim adds a blind-spot camera that displays the passenger-side blind spot on the touchscreen when you set up the turn signal.

Off-Road Capability and Towing

The Passport is designed for light to moderate off-road use. It has 8.6 inches of ground clearance, a 28-degree approach angle (the angle at which the front bumper clears obstacles), and a 24-degree departure angle at the rear. These numbers are respectable but not exceptional — a Jeep Wrangler, for comparison, has 10.8 inches of clearance and a 44-degree approach angle.

The Passport comes with all-wheel drive with a multi-mode system that lets you select different driving modes: Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand. In these modes, the transmission and throttle response adjust to improve traction. There is no low-range transfer case, which limits its ability to crawl over extremely rocky terrain.

Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, which is lower than truck-based SUVs like the 4Runner (5,000 pounds) or Wrangler (3,500 pounds with the V6). This is sufficient for small trailers, jet skis, or a modest boat, but not for horse trailers or large RVs. The Passport does not come with a factory-installed hitch; you will need to purchase and install one separately.

Pricing and Available Options

The 2023 Passport Elite starts at approximately $48,000 to $50,000 before taxes, title, and destination charges. Actual prices vary significantly by dealer, location, and market conditions. Some dealers may charge above or below this range depending on demand and inventory.

Common options and packages include a power moonroof (around $1,500), a navigation system upgrade (around $1,500), and all-terrain tires (around $1,200). The Elite trim already includes most luxury features, so the option list is shorter than for lower trims.

Honda offers a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty on all new Passports. Extended warranties are available through Honda dealers but are not included in the base price.

How the 2023 Passport Elite Compares to Competitors

The Passport's main competitors are the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 4Runner is larger, seats eight, and has stronger off-road credentials, but it gets worse fuel economy (around 16 to 18 mpg) and costs more. The Wrangler is smaller, more capable off-road, and cheaper, but has less interior space and comfort. The Grand Cherokee is more car-like, more fuel-efficient, and cheaper, but less capable off-road.

The Passport's strength is its balance: it is truck-based and rugged enough for weekend off-roading, but refined and comfortable enough for daily commuting. It is also more affordable than the 4Runner and more comfortable than the Wrangler. If you need a vehicle that does both equally well without excelling at either extreme, the Passport is a reasonable choice.

If off-road performance is your priority, the Wrangler or 4Runner are better. If fuel economy and on-road comfort matter more, the Grand Cherokee or a hybrid SUV like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid are worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2023 Passport Elite have a third row of seats?

No. The Passport is a five-passenger vehicle with two rows only. The second row is a bench seat that can slide to create more cargo space if needed. If you need a third row, the Toyota 4Runner or Honda Pilot are better options.

What is the difference between the Passport Elite and lower trims?

The Elite adds leather upholstery, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless phone integration, a Bose audio system, a power liftgate, and a blind-spot camera. Lower trims have cloth seats, a smaller touchscreen, a standard audio system, and a manual liftgate. The Elite is the only trim with these features.

Can the Passport handle serious rock crawling or extreme off-roading?

The Passport is designed for light to moderate off-road use — dirt roads, light trails, and sand. It lacks a low-range transfer case and has less ground clearance than a Jeep Wrangler, so it is not built for extreme rock crawling or technical terrain. For serious off-roading, a Wrangler or 4Runner is a better choice.

How much does it cost to maintain a 2023 Passport Elite?

Routine maintenance costs are typical for a mid-size SUV. Oil changes run $50 to $75, tire rotations are $100 to $150, and brake service varies by extent of wear. Honda parts are widely available and reasonably priced. Extended warranties are available but not included in the base price.

Is the 2023 Passport Elite a good vehicle for towing?

The Passport can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which works for small trailers, jet skis, and modest boats. It is not designed for heavy towing — truck-based SUVs like the 4Runner tow 5,000 pounds or more. If towing capacity is important, compare the Passport's limits against your actual needs before deciding.