Classic Honda of Midland

2023 Honda Passport

A silver 2023 Honda Passport Trailsport is shown angled left.

Not everyone gets the luxury of driving their dream vehicle, but Honda fans often get the opportunity to drive a car with everything they want at an excellent price. Honda produces some of the most reputable vehicles on the market. For example, the Honda Accord is one of the most reliable sedans you can buy, especially if you're interested in longevity. Alternatively, SUVs like the 2023 Honda Passport offer outstanding versatility and various luxurious amenities that ultimately form an experience much greater than the sum of its parts. The 2023 Honda Passport is the ideal vehicle for the adventurous type but also for those who care about reliability as much as versatility, meaning the 2023 Passport is also the perfect vehicle for families.

The 2023 Passport is available in three trim levels, which means you won't have to spend the majority of your time reading through walls of text to identify which model has the features you're looking for. The three trim levels are similarly priced, too, as the highest-tier model isn't even $6,000 more than the base model. The base Passport trim is the EX-L, and with its starting MSRP of $41,100, you'll be pleased to know you'll be getting your money's worth in many ways.[a] For example, the base Passport is admirably performant and efficient. Honda opts to create every Passport model with dashes of luxury, such as the leather-trimmed seats that come standard with the base Passport model. The Passport is undeniably a beautiful SUV with the power and versatility to match its premium design.

Starting MSRP: $41,100 [a]

Horsepower (hp): 280

Torque (lb-ft): 262

Max Cargo (cu.ft.): 77.7

A silver 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport is shown from the rear driving up a mountain trail.

Performance

The 2023 Honda Passport takes its cues from the models that preceded it, which is to say the powertrain configuration has remained untouched for many years. This means if you're primarily interested in getting the most power out of your Passport, you won't have to look far and can save thousands of dollars by opting for the base model.

The 3.5L V6 Engine

The powertrain is driven by a 3.5L V6 engine that pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine has provided everything Passport drivers are looking for. V6 engines like the 3.5L V6 inside the Passport remain fuel-efficient, unlike large V8 engines you'll regularly find in full-size SUVs, but still provide more power than your average smaller I-4 or turbocharged I-4 engines you may find in competing midsize SUVs.

How does the 3.5L V6 engine translate into real-world performance? Like the models before it that utilized the V6 engine, the 2023 Passport produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, and its aforementioned 9-speed automatic transmission provides an enjoyable driving experience in both your local neighborhood or out on the freeway. However, this brings us to a change the 2023 model presents: the elimination of the front-wheel drive. Until this point, the 3.5L V6 engine came equipped with FWD, but the 2023 Passport has a better focus on its off-roading capabilities, and the first step towards this is removing FWD as a drivetrain option. This leaves AWD as the sole drivetrain for the 2023 Passport, providing a greater towing capacity at a minuscule reduction in fuel efficiency.

Fuel Efficiency and Towing/Payload Capabilities

Now equipped with AWD exclusively, the 2023 Passport gets an EPA-estimated rating of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.[b] On top of its notable fuel efficiency, the Passport also has exceptional capabilities, with the ability to tow 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of around 1,300 lbs, which is exceptional for a midsize SUV. The Passport can give drivers the maneuverability of a smaller-sized SUV coupled with solid fuel efficiency and just enough strength to handle everyday tasks.

A grey 2023 Honda Passport Trailsport is shown driving on a dirt trail.

Capability

Capability is a multi-faceted term that implies a vehicle has all the necessities you require from your car. The Passport is easily the definition of capable in the midsize SUV space. What warrants us calling the Passport capable? There are many reasons, including its exceptional cargo space, Intelligent Traction Management, All-Season Tires, connectivity features, and more.

Designed to Handle the Challenges of the Road

Intelligent Traction Management is a system that gives you a few modes to select from, each applicable to various terrains and situations. For example, this Honda SUV comes with three drive modes: mud, sand, and snow. Coupled with a 25mm stabilizer bar, off-road-tuned suspensions, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, a 21.1-degree approach angle, and a 24.3-degree departure angle, the Passport isn't afraid to go off the beaten path every once in a while.

Cargo Space

It's the exceptional cargo space that cements the 2023 Passport as one of the most spacious midsize SUVs on the market. The 2023 Passport seats a maximum of five, but since it's an SUV, the back row can be replaced with extra cargo space at a moment's notice; simply fold down the back row, and voilĂ , you have extra cargo room. How much cargo room should you expect with your 2023 Passport? Behind the second row offers you an impressive 41.2 cu.ft. of space, which is another notable spec for this midsize SUV.

The times when you need extra cargo space can be accommodated by folding down the back row of seats. This, of course, reduces the passenger capacity, but it drastically increases the available cargo room you can utilize any way you see fit. Folding down the back row increases the maximum cargo space to 77.7 cu.ft., making it perfect for accommodating whatever cargo you need to bring with you. Whether you're bringing equipment to the kids' soccer game or packing for a weekend camping trip, the 2023 Passport has you covered.

 

A couple is shown driving a 2023 Honda Passport Trailsport on a dirt road.

Features

Honda understands your vehicle is a large part of your life. They also understand the worth of a dollar, so you can expect Honda vehicles to be well-priced among their peers and often exceed the feature set you may find on competing manufacturers.

Seating

For example, every 2023 Passport comes with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with added lumbar support, and every trim gives the front-row passenger a 4-way power-adjustable seat for their convenience. The base model also includes leather-trimmed seats and a leather steering wheel, but only on the Elite trim will the front and outboard seats be heated.

Audio Systems

The Elite trim also has some amenities not shared by the other trims, such as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for wireless internet connectivity anywhere you go. The Elite also replaces the standard audio system for a premium solution with 10 speakers and an added subwoofer for a separate bass channel, creating a truly thumping bass sound, especially as it runs off an exceptional 540W of power. However, the base model is certainly no slouch with its 215W speaker system that includes three fewer speakers than the premium one but still includes a dedicated bass channel thanks to an integrated subwoofer.

Connectivity

Every 2023 Passport is treated to an 8-inch infotainment center situated in the center of your dashboard. As the infotainment center is the same across the spread of trim levels, every Passport has features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. Every trim is also treated to a wireless charging pad to effortlessly charge your phone battery without needing a wire, albeit USB ports are still integrated into the infotainment center, just in case.

Honda Sensing

It continues further as even the base-level Passport has the advantage of the Honda Sensing safety suite for many more layers of protection. The Honda Sensing safety suite includes features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and the Forward Collision Warning. The 2023 Passport is an exceptional safety feature-packed SUV that gives drivers maximum confidence on the road, no matter where their travels take them.