Can The Honda Passport Keep Customers Brand Loyal?

I think this was a smart move. The CRV is so much smaller than the Pilot (which is based on their minivan platform) an offering in between is a great idea. When you consider Toyota has the CH-R, RAV-4 Highlander, 4Runner and then the Sequoia, a bread of choice isn't a bad thing in today's market.

Agree. Have owned a few Hondas in the past and never had a problem, rock solid reliability with only an oil change once a year.

It will sell, but it's clearly NOT a well thought out product. It looks like a Pilot that had bad collision repair. I find the styling absolutely ghastly. It shows that it was thrown together quickly with bubble gum and chicken wire.

Would consider it if it had a longitudinal engine + rear wheel drive. There are very few unibody cars in this configuration, only Germans.

and Ford

Why would you NOT get the AWD crossover?

The execution here is interesting. While it definitely is basically a shortened Pilot, the more expansive greenhouse, taller ride height, different taillights, and tweaked grille sets it apart....slightly. From that standpoint it shouldn't alienate any of Honda's existing client base. That being said, trying to attract buyers of 4Runners and Jeeps, per the executives statements, is going to be a tough sell. I wish Honda had imbued a bit more ruggedness to the design and also didn't just copy and paste the Pilot's interior. Maybe buyers will like that balance of "ruggedness" with "soccer mom", but time will tell. That "ruggedness" certainly is what separates it from the Murano, Edge, and Santa Fe, so maybe there's an in-between market (between a 4Runner and Murano). Again, time will tell

To me the Passport looks tipsy with a body too wide for the wheels' stance.

A lot will depend on pricing and Honda is wildly optimistic on that here recently with how expensive their cars get very quickly.

The Passport is just a little ugly while the Pilot is 'Super-Ugly' and really looks like a minivan.

The Toyota 4-Runner is ugly too and I'd place the Passport's looks in the camp of the 4-Runner. The Passport will likely sell more than the Pilot. It looks butch while the Pilot looks Soccer Mom

What baffles me is that the Toyota Venza was such a sales turd.

@MD Me too. I took a ride in a Venza that our dealer had has a customer shuttle vehicle for a while. I would say it was the nicest Toyota interior that I have ever been in. Outside it is sleek and modern. Maybe it did not appeal to Dad's? I found nothing wrong with it. And you could get it in AWD too I think.

@CC the Venza and the Edge were "identical" i.e. raised up, short station wagon versions of their sedan donor cars with inoffensive styling. Arguably the Venza was better looking, but Toyota could not give it away while the edge flew off the lot.

I think the Venza might have been "too safe". The Murano at the time was beating it in sales and the Murano may have been seen as a value-RX, moreso than the Venza. At the same time, Toyota had the ever-popular 4Runner in its stable. This is likely why Honda has chosen to approach the Passport with a theme of ruggedness mixed with family-friendly.

And the Morono has always been so hideous to look at.

Definitely a good size SUV to have on the lineup. Especially how big the Pilot has became.

"has became" Yup. Your Honda dealer will be especially happy to see you.

Agree, the Venza looks like the Edge and is the same size. Not sure what happened unless Toyota gave up on it too soon.

The Venza was DOA. Which is completely bizarre.

I am in the market for a new SUV. My 1994 Ford Explorer Sport is on its last legs. I drove the 4Runner, but the handling characteristics are even worse than my old Explorer. I drove the Pilot and liked it, but I have no need for a 3-row AWD minivan. The Passport looks a bit more masculine and I like the improved ground clearance. One thing that bothers me, though. If they are trying to pitch the Passport as being offroad ready, why do they have no option to get a smaller wheel with higher aspect tires to absorb more offroad bumps and protect the wheels? Also, you just can't give credence to a vehicle being off-road ready when it only compes with a compact spare tire. If you run into trouble when offroad, a compact spare isn't going to help you get home.

I wonder about the AWD system of the Hondas. The engines are transversely mounted which means the driveshafts are unequal in length. The result is torque steer. I suppose the electrical nannies can mitigate that effect to a degree but the Honda system seems to be at a disadvantage to the AWD system of say, the Subaru, which uses equal half shafts. End result could be that one vehicle will spin its wheels hopeless in the snow while the other one gains traction.

That being stated, the Hondas have much nicer interiors than the Subies.

This is aimed squarely at Subaru Forester and Outback buyers (Its rear end even looks suspiciously like a previous generation Forester - that cannot be a mistake Haha!). Also, the brand new Toyota Rav4, not yet out, has now become a more rugged, higher clearance vehicle with a new Subaru type AWD system with selectable modes created to compete with Subaru products. Honda, late to the party, as is typical of its conservative nature is now trying to play catch-up in the "active lifestyles" SUV segment so it doesn't lose market share.