If you are looking for a midsize SUV that can handle any situation, you might want to check out the 2024 Honda Passport. The Honda Passport is a two-row, five-passenger SUV that offers a powerful V6 engine, a spacious and comfortable interior, a generous list of features and safety technologies, and a range of trim levels to suit different needs and preferences. Whether you want a rugged off-roader, a luxurious cruiser, or something in between, there is a Honda Passport trim for you.
The Honda Passport debuted in 2019 as a shorter and sportier alternative to the three-row Honda Pilot. While the Passport shares its platform, powertrain, and many features with the Pilot, it also has its own identity and appeal, especially for those who want a more capable and versatile vehicle. For 2024, the Honda Passport gets some updates that make it even more attractive and competitive in the midsize SUV segment. Here are some of the highlights of the new Honda Passport.
TrailSport: The Adventure-Ready Passport
One of the most significant changes for the 2024 Honda Passport is the introduction of the TrailSport trim, which replaces the Sport trim as the base model. The TrailSport is designed to appeal to adventure seekers who want a Passport that can handle rough terrain and challenging conditions. The TrailSport features a unique front and rear fascia with orange accents that give it a distinctive look. It also has a black grille, black roof rails, and exclusive 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires that enhance its off-road capability.
The TrailSport also benefits from some mechanical enhancements that improve its performance on different surfaces. It has a revised Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) system that can send up to 70 percent of the engine torque to the rear axle and up to 100 percent of that torque to either rear wheel. This helps the Passport maintain traction and stability on slippery or uneven surfaces. The TrailSport also has a new Intelligent Traction Management (ITM) system that adds a Snow mode to the existing Normal, Mud, and Sand modes. The ITM system adjusts the throttle response, transmission shift points, and i-VTM4 settings according to the selected mode.
The TrailSport is not just about off-road capability, though. It also offers a generous amount of standard features that make it a comfortable and convenient daily driver. Some of these features include LED headlights and fog lights, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless phone charger, and a 7-speaker sound system. The TrailSport also comes with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Black Edition: The Premium Passport
At the opposite end of the spectrum from the TrailSport is the new Honda Passport Black Edition, which replaces the Elite trim as the top-of-the-line model. The Black Edition is aimed at customers who want a more luxurious and sophisticated Passport. As the name suggests, the Black Edition features a blacked-out exterior with dark chrome accents that give it a sleek and elegant look. It also offers two exclusive exterior colors: Crystal Black Pearl and Platinum White Pearl.
The Black Edition’s interior is equally refined and elegant. It has perforated leather seats with red contrast stitching and piping that add some flair to the cabin. It also has red ambient lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere. The Black Edition offers many premium features that enhance its comfort and convenience. Some of these features include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power moonroof, a hands-free power tailgate, a wireless phone charger, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 10-speaker premium sound system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.2-inch screens that can stream apps like Netflix and Disney+.
The Black Edition also has all the same safety features as the TrailSport, plus rain-sensing wipers and automatic high beams that improve its visibility in different weather conditions.
Other Trims: The Balanced Passports
Between the TrailSport and the Black Edition are two other trims: the EX-L and the Touring. These trims offer a balance of features and value for different types of buyers. The EX-L adds leather seats, a sunroof, a power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and remote start to the TrailSport’s equipment list. The Touring adds roof rails, parking sensors, LED fog lights, heated second-row seats, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium sound system, and a hands-free power tailgate to the EX-L’s equipment list.
All four trims share the same powertrain: a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All trims also come standard with all-wheel drive, which was previously optional on the lower trims. The Passport’s towing capacity remains at 5,000 pounds when equipped with the available towing package.