Real-World Fuel Economy for the Honda Passport

The Honda Passport gets between 19 and 23 miles per gallon depending on whether you drive mostly on highways or in the city, and which model year and engine you own. Highway driving yields better mileage — typically 22 to 23 mpg — while city driving drops to around 19 to 20 mpg. The 2024 and 2023 models with the 3.5-liter V6 engine are the most common versions on the road, and they fall in the middle of that range.

The actual number you see at the pump depends on real conditions: how much you accelerate, whether you're towing, tire pressure, and how much cargo you're carrying. A Passport loaded for a camping trip will use more fuel than one driven empty on a highway. Cold weather also reduces mileage slightly because the engine works harder to warm up.

Key Takeaways

  • The Honda Passport averages 19 to 23 mpg, with highway driving producing better mileage than city driving.
  • The 3.5-liter V6 engine is standard across recent model years and is the engine most Passport owners have.
  • Towing, cargo weight, tire pressure, and driving habits all affect how many miles you actually get per gallon.
  • The EPA fuel economy estimates are published on the window sticker of any used Passport and in the owner's manual.

How the EPA Measures Passport Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests every new vehicle on a standardized driving cycle that includes city streets, highway, and high-speed driving. The Passport is tested as a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which is how most are sold. The EPA publishes two numbers: the city rating and the highway rating, and then calculates a combined estimate that weights city and highway driving.

These numbers appear on the yellow Monroof label stuck to the window of every new Passport at the dealership. If you're buying used, you can find the same information in the owner's manual or by looking up the model year and trim on fueleconomy.gov, the official EPA website. The EPA's test does not include towing, so if you plan to pull a trailer, your real mileage will be lower than the published number.

City Versus Highway Driving and Your Actual Mileage

City driving produces the lowest mileage because the engine is constantly accelerating from stops, idling at lights, and running at lower speeds where the engine is less efficient. Most Passport owners see 19 to 20 mpg in heavy city traffic. Highway driving is gentler on fuel consumption because the engine runs at a steady speed with fewer gear changes, which is where the V6 operates most efficiently — typically 22 to 23 mpg.

Your personal mileage will fall somewhere between these two numbers depending on your actual driving pattern. If you drive 60 percent highway and 40 percent city, you might average around 21 mpg over time. Aggressive acceleration, frequent braking, and idling in traffic all pull the number down. Steady speeds, gentle acceleration, and well-maintained tires pull it up.

Factors That Lower Your Passport's Fuel Economy

Towing is the biggest fuel consumer. The EPA does not test towing, but owners who tow regularly report mileage drops of 15 to 25 percent depending on trailer weight and aerodynamics. A loaded roof rack or cargo carrier also increases wind resistance and can reduce mileage by 1 to 2 mpg. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, so checking tire pressure monthly — especially before long trips — keeps mileage closer to the EPA estimate.

Cold weather reduces mileage because the engine needs more fuel to reach operating temperature, and cold air is denser, requiring more energy to move through. Winter fuel blends also contain less energy per gallon than summer blends. Idling in traffic, frequent short trips where the engine never fully warms up, and using the air conditioning all reduce efficiency. An older or poorly maintained Passport with a clogged air filter or worn spark plugs will also see lower mileage than a well-serviced one.

Comparing the Passport to Similar Vehicles

The Honda Passport's 19 to 23 mpg range is typical for mid-size four-wheel-drive SUVs with V6 engines. The Jeep Wrangler with a V6 gets similar mileage, as does the Toyota 4Runner. Smaller SUVs like the Honda CR-V get better mileage — around 28 to 33 mpg — because they weigh less and have smaller engines. Larger trucks and SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition get worse mileage, typically 17 to 21 mpg.

If fuel economy is your top priority, a smaller crossover or sedan will always outperform a mid-size SUV. But if you need the Passport's cargo space, towing capacity, and off-road capability, the mileage is competitive with other vehicles in its class. Comparing the Passport to a CR-V is not a fair comparison because they serve different purposes — the Passport is built for heavier work and rougher terrain.

How to Track Your Own Fuel Economy

Your Passport's dashboard displays a real-time fuel economy readout that updates as you drive. This number fluctuates constantly and is useful for seeing how your driving habits affect consumption, but it is not as accurate as calculating it yourself. To get a true picture, fill your tank completely, note the odometer reading, drive normally, and fill up again at the same pump. Divide the miles driven by the gallons used, and you have your actual mileage for that period.

Track this number over several fill-ups to see your average. If your mileage is significantly lower than the EPA estimate — say, 17 mpg when the estimate is 20 — check your tire pressure, have the air filter inspected, and review your driving habits. A Passport that is well-maintained and driven at steady speeds on mostly highway miles will consistently hit or exceed the EPA estimate.

Fuel Tank Size and Range Between Fill-Ups

The Honda Passport has a 19-gallon fuel tank. At an average of 21 mpg, that means you can expect roughly 400 miles of range before the fuel warning light comes on. On a highway trip at 23 mpg, you might stretch that to 430 miles. In heavy city traffic at 19 mpg, you might see only 360 miles. These are estimates — your actual range depends on your driving pattern and how much fuel is left when you start.

The fuel gauge on the Passport is reliable, and the low-fuel warning light comes on when you have roughly a gallon left in the tank. Plan your fill-ups accordingly on long trips, especially in rural areas where gas stations are far apart. Keeping the tank at least a quarter full protects the fuel pump, which relies on fuel for cooling, and prevents running out of gas in an inconvenient location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2024 Passport get better gas mileage than older model years?

The 2024 Passport uses the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the 2023 and 2022 models, so fuel economy is essentially identical. Older Passports from 2019 and earlier also use the same engine and get the same mileage. Honda has not made significant efficiency improvements to the Passport engine in recent years.

Will a Passport with all-wheel drive use more gas than four-wheel drive?

The Passport is available only in four-wheel drive, so this comparison does not explore. However, four-wheel-drive systems do use slightly more fuel than two-wheel drive because of the extra weight and mechanical resistance, which is one reason why four-wheel-drive vehicles typically get lower mileage than their two-wheel-drive counterparts.

Can I improve my Passport's fuel economy with a different air filter or fuel additive?

A clean air filter helps the engine run efficiently, so replacing a clogged one may improve mileage slightly — usually 1 to 2 percent. Fuel additives marketed to improve mileage have not been shown to make a meaningful difference in real-world testing. The best way to improve mileage is to maintain proper tire pressure, drive at steady speeds, and avoid unnecessary idling and aggressive acceleration.

What should I expect if I tow a trailer with my Passport?

Towing significantly reduces fuel economy because the engine works harder to move the extra weight and overcome wind resistance. Most owners report a 15 to 25 percent drop in mileage when towing regularly. A 5,000-pound trailer might drop your mileage from 21 mpg to 16 to 18 mpg depending on speed and terrain. Heavier trailers and higher speeds cause larger drops.