DRIVEN + VIDEO: Consumer Reports Weighs In On The All-new Honda Passport — So, What's The Low Down?

I've been on a bit of a Honda kick the past several years. To me, the company has been knocking it out of the park with great products like the Civic, CR-V and Accord Hybrid.

They're crushing it!

Recently though the company revealed the all-new Passport. Essentially, it's a shortened, two-row Pilot. While it seems to be getting mixed grades based on Honda's lacking creativity here, we were a bit more curious how the Passport is, overall.

The folks from Consumer Reports published a video this week and gave us its first impressions. Overall, it seems a bit rough. What do you think, Spies?



Honda has revived the Passport for 2019, appealing to buyers who need the extra cargo space but can live without the additional third-row seats. A smooth and refined powertrain, roomy interior, and standard advanced safety gear make the Passport a viable SUV.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 2/3/2019 12:12:37 PM

+10 Boost

If the 4Runner is doing 130k units annually in the USA, and that number continues to grow, it makes sense for Honda to make a comparable ruggedish SUV for the adventuresome buyer. Not every sale is about LCD screens and massaging seats.

mre30 - 2/3/2019 1:45:34 PM

-2 Boost

The will be the official new "Bro" vehicle (i.e. white male, fratty, college-educated, "rugged/outdoorsy", likely played lacrosse, likely wears a fleece vest). It should sell well.

Agent00R - 2/3/2019 2:39:11 PM

+2 Boost

I'll have you know I like my Patagonia vests. :)

Truthy - 2/3/2019 2:18:07 PM

-2 Boost

There is nothing "rugged" about this vehicle. The proportions are all wrong. Like the pilot, the distance from the top of the front tire to the hood looks like at least 18 inches which in turn makes the fron wheels look too small. Put sliding rear doors on this and it is a minivan.

dumpsty - 2/5/2019 3:04:27 PM

+1 Boost

wheel/suspension travel? don't you kinda need that feature for a bit of off-roading experience?

greGARYous1 - 2/3/2019 3:19:45 PM

+1 Boost

This thing is NOT SUV... Just another fwd crossover that wants to look tough... But isn't in the same class as Jeep 4Runner or Bronco!

dumpsty - 2/5/2019 3:13:02 PM

+1 Boost

The point of the "Passport exercise" is to simply "look the part" but not necessarily be capable of performing as perceived by the target consumer. Which is an active-oriented female/male with or w/o kids - simply needs/wants the additional space but necessarily all the premium feels of the Pilot.

dumpsty - 2/5/2019 3:14:09 PM

+1 Boost

*but NOT necessarily all...

cidflekken - 2/3/2019 6:34:23 PM

+2 Boost

It’s a so,I’d product but aiming at the wrong targets. This will not steal sales from the Grand Cherokee/Wrangler Unlimited crowd,ie the demographic that mre30 described. Honda can talk “rugged” all day but I’m out buying it. Not saying it’s not a capable off roader. Just the overall image is of soccer mom with fewer kids who have fewer friends.

MDarringer - 2/3/2019 7:25:34 PM

-1 Boost

Correct x1000: "...This will not steal sales from the Grand Cherokee/Wrangler Unlimited crowd..."

MDarringer - 2/4/2019 8:29:50 AM

-1 Boost

Said the Ho from the 80s.

mre30 - 2/4/2019 6:47:38 AM

+3 Boost

Spies - surely you could install some anti-spam software on this site?

#timeforanupgrade?

Section_31_JTK - 2/4/2019 6:55:22 PM

+2 Boost

I wanted to like this. But 20" wheels/tires on an SUV that is supposed to go off-road? Try finding a good all-terrain tire in that size. And no thanks on the lame push button transmission selector. Honestly this thing looks and feels just like a repackaged Honda <insert model name here>.