Honda’s New Passport Makes Waves in the Off-Road SUV Market
Meet the TrailSport: A Rugged Off-Road Competitor
On November 14, Honda unveiled the latest Passport for the U.S. market, marking a significant evolution for the SUV. Initially launched in 1993 as a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo under a badge-engineering agreement, the Passport has come a long way. With its fourth-generation model set to arrive next year, Honda is shifting gears to position the Passport as a serious off-road contender.
This transformation is highlighted by the introduction of the TrailSport, a dedicated off-road variant. The TrailSport trim features a specially tuned suspension, off-road all-terrain tires, and a rugged body kit with a front skid plate for underbody protection. This fresh approach gives the Passport a tougher, more adventurous appeal, marking a departure from Honda’s previous focus on more road-oriented SUVs.
Bold and Boxy: The Passport Gets an Off-Road Makeover
The ambiguous appearance between the previous model’s crossover and SUV has disappeared, and a box-shaped design has been adopted. In the front, the right-angled grille and headlamps are arranged in contact. Inside the headlamp box with a straight-line charm, horizontal and vertical daytime running lights, and turn signals are arranged. The plastic bumper protruding toward the front shows the solid image of an off-road SUV.
Horizontal air intakes are placed on the top and bottom of the bumper. A hexagonal honeycomb pattern is applied to the grille and air intake, and a silver skid plate is installed between the bumpers. A pair of tow hooks are placed underneath. On the side, the plastic cladding and side rocker panel garnish are connected seamlessly along the wide wheel arches. At the rear, boxy tail lamps with T-shaped graphics and a rear diffuser complete the rugged aesthetic.
TrailSport Trim: Ready for Adventure
The Trail Sport trim also existed in the previous model, but it only had the off-road feel on the outside through plastic cladding, fake skid plates, exclusive exterior colors, and tire changes. However, the new Passport Trail Sport trim has a suspension tuned to raise the ground clearance even higher, revealing the stance of a full-fledged off-road SUV. It is equipped with all-terrain tires and skid plates, and the off-road driving ability is enhanced through the four-wheel drive system.
Honda has also significantly reinforced the body structure, boosting front and side rigidity by 72% and rear torsional rigidity by 50%. These updates improve both off-road durability and on-road handling. Under the hood, the familiar 3.5L V6 engine returns, now delivering 285 horsepower (a 5-hp increase) and 36.2 kgf·m of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
A Tech-Forward Cabin with Trail-Ready Features
The interior was modernized compared to the rough exterior. Honda said that the 4th generation Passport has the widest interior space among the Passports released so far. The center display has been enlarged to 12.3 inches, and a 10.2-inch digital cluster is provided. In the case of the Trail Sports model, it conveys information about the body, such as altitude, pitch, and roll, to the driver.
Horizontal air vents and intuitive physical controls for climate settings add practicality to the streamlined dashboard. Although pricing details remain unconfirmed, Honda suggests TrailSport will start at between $44,000 and $46,000. The SUV is slated to hit dealerships in early 2025, and anticipation is high among consumers eager to see how the Passport performs in its next chapter.
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