The 2023 Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV built on a truck frame

The 2023 Honda Passport is a body-on-frame SUV that sits between Honda's CR-V (which is car-based) and its full-size Pilot. It shares its platform with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, which means it has a traditional truck suspension and bed-style construction rather than the unibody design most modern SUVs use. This matters because it affects how the vehicle handles, what it can tow, and how much cargo space it actually offers.

Honda positions the Passport as an off-road-capable vehicle, and the frame-based design supports that mission. The 2023 model year represents the second generation of the Passport, which was reintroduced in 2019 after a 17-year absence from Honda's lineup. The vehicle competes directly with the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Chevrolet Blazer, though each of those vehicles makes different trade-offs between on-road comfort and off-road capability.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 Passport uses a truck frame and V6 engine, making it heavier and more capable off-road than Honda's car-based SUVs, but less fuel-efficient than competitors like the CR-V.
  • Three trim levels are available—Sport, EX-L, and Trailsport—each with different standard features, and the Trailsport adds all-terrain tires and skid plates designed for rough terrain.
  • The Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and its bed-style frame allows for genuine cargo flexibility that unibody SUVs cannot match.
  • Real-world fuel economy ranges from 18 to 22 miles per gallon depending on driving conditions and whether you choose two-wheel or four-wheel drive.
  • The 2023 model added Honda Sensing safety features as standard across all trims, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping information.

Engine, transmission, and fuel economy

The 2023 Passport is powered by a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is the same basic engine Honda uses in the Ridgeline and Pilot, so parts and service are straightforward at most Honda dealerships.

Fuel economy depends on whether you choose front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and on your actual driving patterns. The EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Passport at 21 miles per gallon combined (18 city, 24 highway). The four-wheel-drive version is rated at 20 miles per gallon combined (18 city, 23 highway). Real-world numbers tend to fall in the 18 to 22 range depending on whether you drive mostly highway or city streets. The Passport requires regular unleaded gasoline, not premium.

The vehicle's towing capacity is 5,000 pounds when equipped with the towing package, which includes a transmission cooler and upgraded rear axle. Without the package, towing capacity drops to 3,500 pounds. This is lower than the Ridgeline (which can tow 5,000 pounds standard) and the 4Runner (which can tow up to 5,000 pounds depending on configuration), so towing capability should factor into your decision if you plan to pull a trailer regularly.

Trim levels and standard features

Honda offers the 2023 Passport in three trim levels: Sport, EX-L, and Trailsport. The Sport is the base model and includes Honda Sensing (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, collision mitigation), a 5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, and all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. The EX-L adds leather upholstery, a power liftgate, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a power moonroof. The Trailsport is designed specifically for off-road use and adds all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, all-terrain all-wheel drive with a locking rear differential, and a roof rack.

All trims come standard with a 3.5-liter V6, the 9-speed automatic, and a backup camera. Heated seats are available on EX-L and Trailsport models. A navigation system is available on EX-L and standard on Trailsport. The Trailsport's all-terrain tires and skid plates represent the main functional difference between trims—the Sport and EX-L use highway-oriented all-season tires, while the Trailsport's setup is genuinely designed for rocky or muddy terrain.

Interior space and cargo capacity

The Passport seats five passengers across two rows. The second row is a bench seat that can fit three people, though the middle seat is narrow and best suited for short trips. Legroom in the second row is adequate but not generous—taller passengers may find their knees close to the front seats on longer drives. The cargo area behind the rear seats holds 28 cubic feet of space, which is smaller than the Pilot (83 cubic feet behind the third row) but comparable to the Wrangler.

The truck-based design means the cargo area is a traditional open bed rather than an enclosed cargo box. This gives you flexibility to carry items that wouldn't fit in a typical SUV—you can haul lumber, gravel, or equipment without worrying about damaging interior trim. The trade-off is that cargo is exposed to weather and theft unless you add a tonneau cover or bed cover separately. The Passport does not have a third row of seating, so it is strictly a five-passenger vehicle.

The rear seats fold flat to create a larger cargo area, though the truck bed design means you still have the wheel wells and frame rails to work around. If maximum interior cargo space is your priority, the Pilot or CR-V will serve you better. If you need the flexibility of an open bed combined with SUV seating, the Passport's design is genuinely useful.

Four-wheel drive and off-road capability

The 2023 Passport is available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive system is a part-time design, meaning you can switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive while driving. This is different from full-time all-wheel drive systems (like those in the CR-V) that run all four wheels constantly. The Passport's approach is more fuel-efficient on pavement but gives you genuine four-wheel-drive capability when you need it.

The Trailsport trim adds an electronically locking rear differential, which means the rear wheels can be locked together to spin at the same speed. This is genuinely useful for climbing over rocks or through deep ruts because it prevents one wheel from spinning freely while the other loses traction. The Sport and EX-L trims do not have this feature. The Trailsport also comes with all-terrain tires that have more aggressive tread than the highway tires on other trims, which improves grip on loose surfaces.

The frame-based design and ground clearance (8.6 inches) make the Passport more capable off-road than the CR-V or Pilot, but less capable than a full-size truck or the 4Runner. If your off-road use is light to moderate—forest roads, sandy beaches, mild trails—the Passport is well-suited. If you plan serious rock crawling or extreme terrain, the 4Runner or a Jeep Wrangler with aftermarket modifications would be better choices.

Safety features and crash test ratings

The 2023 Passport comes standard with Honda Sensing across all trims. This suite includes adaptive cruise control (which maintains a set distance from the car ahead), lane-keeping information (which gently steers you back into your lane if you drift), collision mitigation braking (which applies the brakes if a collision is imminent), and road departure mitigation. These features are standard, not optional, which is a meaningful difference from some competitors that charge extra for similar systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Passport an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It scored 5 stars in the side-crash test, 4 stars in the front-crash test, and 4 stars in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "Good" in most crash tests, though it did not receive a "Top Safety Pick" award. These ratings are solid but not exceptional—the Wrangler and 4Runner have similar or slightly lower ratings, while the CR-V and Pilot score higher.

Reliability and maintenance

Honda has a strong reputation for reliability, and the Passport's V6 engine and 9-speed transmission are proven designs used across multiple Honda models. The truck-based frame design is simpler than the unibody construction in most modern SUVs, which can mean fewer complex systems to fail. However, the Passport is a newer model (reintroduced in 2019), so long-term reliability data is still accumulating.

Scheduled maintenance follows Honda's standard intervals: oil changes every 10,000 miles, transmission fluid checks, and tire rotations. The all-terrain tires on the Trailsport may wear faster than highway tires depending on how much off-road driving you do. Parts availability is good because the engine and transmission are shared with the Ridgeline and Pilot, so you won't face long waits or inflated prices for common repairs. Warranty coverage is 3 years or 36,000 miles for basic coverage, and 5 years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Passport compare to the Jeep Wrangler?

The Passport is more comfortable on highways and has better interior technology, while the Wrangler is more capable off-road and has better resale value. The Wrangler also offers a removable roof and doors, which the Passport does not. Both are frame-based vehicles, but the Wrangler's design is more extreme. Choose the Passport if you want SUV comfort with off-road capability; choose the Wrangler if off-road performance is your priority.

Can I use the Passport for towing a small trailer?

Yes, with the towing package installed. The Passport can tow 5,000 pounds, which is enough for a small boat, utility trailer, or travel trailer under 5,000 pounds. You will need a hitch installed by a dealer or aftermarket shop, and you should verify your specific configuration with Honda because towing capacity can vary based on options. Always check the vehicle's owner manual for the exact capacity of your model.

What is the difference between the Trailsport and the other trims?

The Trailsport adds all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, a locking rear differential, and all-terrain all-wheel drive tuning. These features are designed for off-road use. The Sport and EX-L trims are better suited for highway and light off-road driving. If you plan serious trail use, the Trailsport's additions are worth the cost. If you mostly drive on pavement, the Sport or EX-L will serve you just as well.

Is the Passport available with a hybrid or electric powertrain?

No. The 2023 Passport is available only with the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine. Honda has not announced plans for a hybrid or electric Passport. If fuel efficiency is a major concern, the CR-V (which offers a hybrid option) or the Pilot may be better choices.

How much cargo space does the Passport actually have?

The Passport has 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is smaller than the Pilot but comparable to the Wrangler. The truck bed design gives you flexibility to carry oversized items, but the wheel wells and frame rails take up usable space. If you need maximum enclosed cargo capacity, the Pilot or CR-V will give you more usable room.