2024 Honda Passport Review: A Simple Daily Warrior

The 2024 Honda Passport heads into the new year almost unchanged, carrying on as the same practical, comfortable, and capable crossover as before. Following a round of styling and functionality updates over the last two years, the 2024 Passport focuses heavily on improving its cabin's versatility, enhancing its off-road TrailSport trim, and remaining a value-packed candidate to buyers until an all-new model likely arrives in 2025.

The most considerable improvement for 2024 is the Passport's updated interior, which features a new center console that's bigger, wider, and features an integrated armrest. It now fits more stuff than before, including a large tablet, purse, or whatever else you need to keep out of prying eyes. The cubbies surrounding Honda's quirky push-button shifter have also been redesigned to offer more versatility, as now you can place two smartphones side by side, with one of them taking advantage of the wireless charging pad.

However, the most eye-catching improvement for 2024 has to do with the Passport's exterior. The rugged TrailSport trim now gets an off-road-tuned suspension and knobby all-terrain tires on trim-specific 18-inch wheels, which along with a slightly wider track enhance the crossover's looks more than anyone would expect. Like the Pilot TrailSport I drove earlier this year, it gives it more "trail cred" and allows owners to go off the beaten path while on camping, biking, kayaking, or hiking adventures. Should ruggedness not be your thing, the Passport is also available in a sleek Black Edition trim.

The Basics

The Passport is a five-seat crossover that sits third from the bottom in Honda's utility vehicle hierarchy. It starts with the small HR-V, followed by the ideal all-arounder CR-V, then the Passport, and lastly, the big daddy Pilot. It's a versatile ride that caters to city dwellers, suburban families, as well as adventurous weekend warriors with its 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity.

Simplicity is key with the Passport, and this is evident with its design. It's a decent-looking vehicle that's bound to appeal to both the masses and no one in particular. My tester's TrailSport trim added a bit more pizzazz with its unique grille, chunky tires, and meaty wheels. But whether you dress it in plain white or the optional $455 Sonic Gray Pearl, its neutral persona can even be considered a plus in today's often-overstyled crossovers.

The cabin might look and feel austere, but the truth is that it's truly function over form. The controls are in the right place, the ergonomics are ideal, and you won't find a cubby or cupholder out of place. There are buttons for all basic controls, though Honda's infotainment system for the Passport feels outdated and somewhat clumsy compared to newer systems.

Under the hood sits a naturally aspirated V6 that puts out 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque that's paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine has a torquey and responsive feel to it that's not too common in today's mostly turbocharged crossovers. This comes at a price, as the EPA-rated 19 mpg in the city isn't exactly considered efficient nowadays. Honda's capable all-wheel-drive system is mostly to "blame" for that, though surely the added off-road goodies don't help that cause either.

Driving Honda Passport TrailSport

It's worth highlighting that the driving impressions shared here apply to the TrailSport model only. Its trim-specific suspension, tires, and other bits alter the ride enough to differentiate it from the non-TrailSport, which likely handles better.

While the Passport TrailSport offers a cushy ride due to the bigger tires, smaller wheels, and floaty off-road-tuned suspension, it adds an element of vagueness to the wheel. I found myself constantly adjusting the steering wheel because I couldn't get a good read on the direction of the tires. The wider track and bigger General Grabber A/T Sport 245/60R18 tires make the steering feel less precise and lead the driver to feel like they aren't in total control. Not to mention, it makes the crossover feel slightly wider, confused, and more aggro than necessary.