The edgy off-road capabilities of the Honda Passport Trailsport come through when you see the front end. This SUV has a new blunt grille and flatter hood that makes it look much more like the Honda Ridgeline than the Pilot. The Passport shared powertrain components with both of the other Honda vehicles. This SUV is ready to take on the trails, as the name suggests, but even if you don’t let it get rugged, it can give you the rugged looks you want to show off when you’re ready for a drive.
Trailsport is a Sub-brand
Many auto brands have what are called sub-brands. BMW has the M division for its performance vehicles, Hyundai uses the N for the same purpose, GMC offers Denalias the name for the top trims, and Buick offers Avenir as the sub-brand. The first Honda to enter the Trailsport sub-brand is the Passport. The goal is to create a lineup of Honda SUVs with off-road styling and rugged appearances to bring consumers a tougher lineup of vehicles that can be excellent on any road or trail. The Passport is certainly a worth model to be the first of this lineup to wear the new moniker.
A Smooth Ride on the Road, With Off-Road Capability
The Honda Passport is an agreeable crossover on any road. You’ll find a smooth, quiet, and comfortable feeling when you take it out for a drive. This crossover drives like a minivan, but it has the off-road prowess needed to make it fun when you hit the trails. There’s plenty of power where you need it and the confidence to make the drive right. The torque-vectoring AWD system improves the drive under foul weather conditions or when you see a trail that needs to be explored.
What Makes the Passport a Great Option
This rugged and impressive SUV delivers rugged new styling, it’s roomy and comfortable, and you’ll have the benefits of the strong standard powertrain. When you take your family or friends with you when you drive, the Honda Sensing suite of safety features keeps you safe and secure when out on the road. If you ever need to choose another SUV, the Honda Passport Trailsport should bring you an excellent resale price. This is a vehicle that has just about everything you want when it’s time for some fun out on the road.
Getting Inside this Great Honda
The Passport does an excellent job of being an SUV you want to drive with its 2-row/5-passenger configuration. The wheelbase is shorter than the larger Pilot, but the Passport has plenty of room. You’ll find upscale materials and excellent features in this SUV with the Trailsport model offering special orange contrast stitching to give you the look you want to see. The dashboard also features a distinct gauge cluster with amber ambient lighting to provide a color that resembles this stitching during your drive. Behind the rear seats, you’ll find more than 50 cubic feet of room for the cargo you want to take out on the roads during your adventures.
A New Look from Honda
As previously mentioned, the front of the Honda Passport shows us a new style. This new look starts at the windshield and goes to the front of the vehicle. The large grille has a chain-link mesh appearance. The footprint of this SUV is similar to that of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Blazer, and Toyota 4Runner. With the Trailsport model, you receive unique rugged appearance items that make it stand out whether you’re driving on the road or you head out for some fun on the trails.
What Features Come in this Passport
To find out what the Trailsport model offers, you first must see what’s part of the base package. The base model of this Honda SUV gives you:
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- LED headlights
- Push-button starting
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Tri-zone automatic climate controls
- Intelligent Traction Management system
- Power liftgate
- Under-floor cargo storage area
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Honda Sensing Safety Suite
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Road departure mitigation
- Lane-departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rear seat reminder
- Rear seatbelt reminder
- Leather upholstery
- Power moonroof
- 20-inch alloy wheels
Moving to the Trailsport trim brings you a few more items including:
- A unique grille, wheels, front fascia, and rear fascia
- Orange Trailsport badging
- Wider track
The Trailsport version of the Honda Passport isn’t mechanically different from the base EX-L trim, but that’s not such a bad thing. All you need to turn the Trailsport model into the off-road SUV you want to drive is the added AWD system. This torque-vectoring system gives you the power to the wheels that need it whether you’re facing rough and rugged terrain or you find yourself in foul weather.
The Only Engine You Need
Every model of the Passport uses the same tried and trusted powertrain developed by Honda. This powertrain is found in the Ridgeline and Pilot as well. You’ll find a 3.5-liter V6 engine attached to a nine-speed automatic transmission to give you the power you want for your drive. This power reaches 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. You can tow up to 5,000 pounds with a properly equipped Passport. Fuel mileage reaches 20 city/25 hwy mpg for the FWD models and 19 city/24 hwy mpg if you have the AWD version.
Is this the Right SUV for You?
Do you want the upgraded rugged styling offered in the Honda Passport Trailsport? If so, you’ll need to see the team at your nearby Honda dealer to find the right color and equipment. Will your SUV have the AWD system that gives you some off-road credentials? If so, the world is your oyster and you can drive wherever you want to go. Either way, the Trailsport version of this SUV is an attractive and rugged vehicle that gives you the capability, versatility, and dependability you’re looking for in an impressive Honda SUV.
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