2018 Honda Passport 3.5L V6 9AT FWD (280 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The first two generations of the Honda Passport were based on the Isuzu/GM platform, used in Europe for the Opel Frontera. But, in 2018, it decided to move from there and used the Honda Ridgeline pickup platform for the third Passport generation. Honda said it is a mid-size SUV built to tackle off-road, and compete against vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Toyota 4Runner.

It doesn’t have a chassis or a transfer case with low range gear. What it has though, is a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 9-speed gearbox. This combination might work and do the job even without the transfer case. The 2019 Passport features Available Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4™) torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, which enhances on- and off-road performance and Intelligent Traction Management system with available Snow, Sand and Mud modes help optimize performance for varying surface conditions.

Inside, there is enough room for five people and the AWD system is offered as standard only on the top trim level and as an option for the other. But the top trim level comes with 20″ wheels, which are not suitable for “serious off-road”.

On the dashboard, Honda installed its latest Display Audio interface with an 8-inch touchscreen, a physical volume knob, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The instrument panel is split into three parts, two with regular dials for the tank and the other for the coolant temperature. The middle part is a TFT where the speed, rev counter, and traction modes are displayed.