The Honda Passport EX-L is a mid-size SUV trim that sits between the base EX and the top Touring model
The Honda Passport EX-L is the second trim level in Honda's three-tier Passport lineup. It adds comfort and convenience features to the EX's foundation — think leather seats, a power liftgate, and a larger touchscreen — without jumping to the Touring's premium price. If you're comparing trims to decide which one fits your budget and needs, the EX-L is where most of the interior refinements show up.
The Passport itself is a body-on-frame SUV designed for both highway driving and light off-road work. It shares its platform with the Honda Ridgeline truck but sits lower and is easier to enter and exit. The EX-L trim keeps the same engine and transmission as the EX — a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic — so performance doesn't change between these two trims. What changes is what you touch and see inside the cabin.
Key Takeaways
- The EX-L adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power liftgate compared to the base EX trim.
- Both the EX-L and EX use the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and nine-speed transmission, so fuel economy and towing capacity are identical.
- The EX-L comes with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the EX has a smaller 7-inch screen.
- The main reason to choose EX-L over EX is interior comfort; the main reason to skip it for Touring is cost, since Touring adds a panoramic sunroof and additional safety features.
Interior features that come with the EX-L trim
The EX-L wraps the front seats in leather instead of cloth, and both seats heat up — a feature the EX does not have. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped. The center console and door panels use soft-touch materials that feel more refined than the EX's harder plastics, though the overall dashboard layout is identical between the two trims.
The infotainment screen jumps from 7 inches on the EX to 8 inches on the EX-L, and both support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a wired connection. The EX-L also includes a power liftgate that opens and closes at the push of a button, whereas the EX requires manual lifting. Dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard on the EX-L; the EX has single-zone manual control.
Storage and seating capacity are the same across both trims. The Passport seats five adults, and the rear seats fold flat to create 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Neither the EX nor EX-L has a third row.
Safety and driver-information features
Both the EX and EX-L come with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-information technologies that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, collision mitigation braking, and road departure mitigation. These features are standard on all Passport trims, so there is no difference in safety technology between EX-L and EX.
The EX-L does not add blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert — those features first appear on the Touring trim. If those systems matter to you, you would need to step up to Touring. Both the EX and EX-L have eight airbags and a backup camera as standard.
Fuel economy and towing capacity
The EX-L and EX deliver identical fuel economy because they use the same engine and transmission. The EPA rates the Passport at 21 miles per gallon in the city, 26 on the highway, and 23 combined when equipped with all-wheel drive. Front-wheel-drive versions are slightly better at 22 city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. Real-world mileage depends on driving habits and terrain.
Both trims can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. The EX-L does not gain any towing advantage over the EX. If towing capacity is important to your use case, the Passport's 3,500-pound limit is lower than some competitors — the Jeep Grand Cherokee, for example, can tow up to 6,200 pounds depending on engine choice.
How the EX-L compares to the EX and Touring
| Feature | EX | EX-L | Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather seats | No | Yes | Yes |
| Heated front seats | No | Yes | Yes |
| Power liftgate | No | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen size | 7 inches | 8 inches | 8 inches |
| Dual-zone climate control | No | Yes | Yes |
| Blind-spot monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Panoramic sunroof | No | No | Yes |
| Engine and transmission | 3.5L V6, 9-speed auto | 3.5L V6, 9-speed auto | 3.5L V6, 9-speed auto |
The jump from EX to EX-L is primarily about interior comfort and convenience — leather, heated seats, and a larger screen. The jump from EX-L to Touring adds a panoramic sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Touring also includes a power moonroof and additional interior trim upgrades. If you spend most of your time on highways and value a quieter, more comfortable cabin, the EX-L is a meaningful step up. If you rarely use heated seats or a power liftgate, the EX may be sufficient.
Warranty and maintenance coverage
All Honda Passport trims, including the EX-L, come with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. These terms are the same across EX, EX-L, and Touring. Honda also includes complimentary maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles, covering oil changes, filter replacements, and fluid top-offs at an authorized Honda dealership.
The EX-L's leather seats and power liftgate do not require special maintenance beyond normal cleaning. Leather can be conditioned periodically to prevent cracking, but this is optional and not covered under warranty. The power liftgate mechanism is covered under the basic warranty if it fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Passport EX-L worth the extra cost over the EX?
That depends on whether you value the features the EX-L adds: leather seats, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and a larger touchscreen. If you plan to keep the vehicle for many years and spend significant time in the cabin, these upgrades may justify the price difference. If you rarely use heated seats or find the EX's cloth seats acceptable, the EX offers the same performance at a lower cost.
Does the EX-L have all-wheel drive?
The EX-L is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an option you select when ordering or purchasing; it is not standard on any Passport trim. All-wheel drive improves traction in snow and light off-road conditions but reduces fuel economy by about 1 mile per gallon.
Can I add blind-spot monitoring to an EX-L?
Blind-spot monitoring is not available as an aftermarket add-on for the EX-L through Honda. It comes standard only on the Touring trim. If blind-spot monitoring is important to you, you would need to purchase the Touring model or look at aftermarket systems installed by a third party.
What is the real-world fuel economy for the EX-L?
Real-world mileage typically falls between the EPA city and highway ratings — usually around 23 to 24 miles per gallon for mixed driving. Highway-heavy driving may approach 26 miles per gallon, while city driving with frequent stops may drop to 20 or below. Terrain, driving habits, and vehicle load all affect actual consumption.
Does the EX-L come with a sunroof?
No. The EX-L does not include a sunroof or moonroof. The panoramic sunroof is exclusive to the Touring trim. If an open roof is a priority, you would need to step up to Touring.