Honda Updates Passport to Showcase Off-Road Capabilities
The 2022 Honda Passport will begin arriving at dealerships this winter with a rugged new exterior design that aims to better reflect its off-road capabilities, the company announced, while the first-ever Passport TrailSport takes Passport’s new rugged styling even further.
The Passport EX-L is now the new entry point for Honda’s largest 5-passenger SUV and features a full slate of standard equipment, such as leather seating, one-touch power moonroof and 20-inch alloy wheels. The new Passport TrailSport features standard torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, rugged-design tires, unique styling touches, navigation system, roof rails and more.
“Honda has offered weekend adventurers durable and capable SUVs for more than two decades and our newest Passport takes this to a new level,” said Michael Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda National Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The new Passport and Passport TrailSport don’t just look rugged, they’re ready, willing and able to get dirty tackling trails.”
All-new from the A-pillars forward, Passport’s new design includes a sculpted hood with a pronounced power bulge, squared-off nose and upright grille and revised front fenders. Around back, a redesigned rear bumper features cutouts for larger twin exhaust outlets, plus a tow hitch cover and skid garnish design that matches the more rugged front-end styling. Passport’s tough new look better reflects the rugged capabilities of its strong unibody construction, independent front and rear suspension, standard 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, 9-speed automatic transmission and available i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, the automakers said.
Passport’s four-mode Intelligent Traction Management allows drivers to customize the i-VTM4 system for different terrains, including sand, snow, mud and paved roads. With 8.1-inches of ground clearance (with AWD), Passport can navigate tough trails and its 5,000-pound towing capacity (with AWD, with additional equipment) allows it to pull a large camper trailer or off-road toys.
In addition to the features mentioned above, Passport EX-L comes equipped with a power tailgate with remote, blind spot information (BSI), and front and rear parking sensors. Inside, for a sportier, off-road character, Passport EX-L grades now feature high-contrast stitching on standard perforated leather seats, and all trims have new gray instrument cluster illumination and white gauge needles.
The 2022 Passport’s expanded list of standard features also includes power-adjustable heated front seats, an 8-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, wireless smartphone charging, and remote engine start.
Topping the lineup, the well-equipped Passport Elite features standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free access power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel.
The Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistive technologies is standard on every Passport.
Passport TrailSport features standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive and a 10mm increase in track width to improve stance and stability. Mounted on machined 18-inch wheels, the design of its 245/60R18 tires includes sidewall tread for a more rugged look. TrailSport is further distinguished by its unique grille treatment, and more aggressive front and rear bumpers that include skid plate designs painted silver.
Orange TrailSport badges are featured on the grille and tailgate, while the Passport and AWD badges are painted gloss black instead of the chrome used on the rest of the lineup.
In the cabin, TrailSport stands out with orange contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door panels and seats, amber interior lighting and the TrailSport logo embroidered on the front seat head restraints and molded into the rubber floor mats. TrailSport also features power folding mirrors for narrow trails, and heated windshield wiper parking area to keep them from getting stuck in frigid conditions.
