2023 Honda Pilot Review

With a pedigree of almost 3 decades, the Honda Passport is one of the best choices in the small CUV class. It is known for its high performance and excellent handling, but it is also no slouch when it comes to luxury and comfort.

The 2023 Honda Passport is now available for sale and it looks to do well in our review:

Features

The 2023 Passport represents the 4th generation of the Passport ever since its triumphant return in 2019. You get to choose from 3 trim levels and a single, yet powerful engine is available to propel the car. As far as the amenities are concerned, you get quite a bit of them – comfort and safety, both.

Powertrain and Numbers

The Honda Passport 2023 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. The transmission is a 9-speed automatic which sends the aforementioned power to an all-wheel drive system. The vehicle is hence able to deliver a stellar 0-60 mph time of around 6 seconds.

The towing capacity is also excellent for this class. You can expect all the models of the Honda Passport to tow up to 5000 lbs. The payload capacity is also quite favorable with the 2023 Passport being able to haul up to 1332 lbs.

Also, despite the athleticism of the 2023 Passport, it still does favorably when it comes to fuel savings. According to the EPA, it is able to do up to 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Interior and Technology

The 2023 Honda Passport comes with a handsomely styled interior that’s not flashy by any means. It is practical and the material quality is high in true Honda fashion. Despite this being a small crossover SUV, no one will feel cramped due to lots of headroom and legroom.

It also doesn’t disappoint you when it comes to storage. Not only are there enough cubbies, bins, and compartments for all the small items one can carry, but the trunk space is also very capacious. The rear seats can be folded to increase the stowage area even further.

The following are the trims and the standard features that they offer:

2023 Passport EX-L

The Passport EX-L is the base model which is anything but basic. It is quite upscale with its leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel. Its features include tri-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button ignition, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The front seats are heated; the driver and the passenger receive 10- and 4-way power adjustability respectively. Also included are a hands-free powered tailgate and a one-touch moonroof.

Then we get to the infotainment, which consists of an 8-inch touchscreen and 7 speakers. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard. But there’s more, as the Passport 2023 also has many standard driver’s assistance features.

This includes automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning (w/lane-keeping assist), blind-spot monitoring (w/rear cross-traffic alert), adaptive cruise control, a backup camera, parking sensors, etc.

2023 Passport TrailSport

The 2023 Passport TrailSport adds more in terms of offroading performance, but the interior also receives some changes. You get all-season floor mats, amber ambient mood lighting, and orange stitching on the leather. Satellite navigation is also included.

2023 Passport Elite

The Passport Elite is the finest trim of the three. It adds some more details to make the vehicle more sophisticated. You get climate controls for the second row, perforated and ventilated seats, and a hands-free tailgate. The stereo is more powerful and has 11 speakers instead of 7.

Exterior and Driving

The Honda Passport received a refresh last year. It looks graceful and modern, with some personalization options available. The upper two trims come with roof rails and come with different body mirrors among other things.

The TrailSport model sports a unique front grille, off-road-oriented bumpers, distinct badging and accents, and thicker tires.

The colors on the 2023 Honda Passport are the following: 

• Crystal Black Pearl  
• Lunar Silver Metallic  
• Obsidian Blue Pearl 
• Platinum White Pearl 
• Radiant Red Metallic II 
• Sonic Gray Pearl  

Do make sure that the color of your choice is available on your trim though.

Any tester will tell you that the Honda Passport is fun to drive. Not only does it feature snippy acceleration, but it also steers well and feels light to drive. As with all the other Hondas, the ride is comfy and there’s no noise in the cabin. The Passport also has a decent off-tarmac presence with its multiple traction modes.

Reliability and Warranty

The Honda Passport 2023 has been given a reliability rating of 83 out of a possible 100 by JD Power, which puts it in the Great category. Consumer Reports says that the Passport 2023 is more reliable than the average car. On top of all that, the reviews from its current owners are also positive and no recalls have been reported.

Honda gives you two warranties – there’s a limited one for 3 years/36k miles and a powertrain one for 5 years/60k miles. Unlike most other automakers, Honda also offers 2 years/24k miles of complimentary maintenance.

Verdict

It seems like the 2023 Honda Passport can do nothing wrong since it is flawless in every aspect. The highlight of this small crossover is its high performance and crispy handling but it is a great vehicle for cruising as well.

The interior is modern and quite useful. All the models are very well-equipped and they provide a plush environment. The Passport does especially well in the areas of safety as the driver gets all the assistance they could possibly need.

Lastly, you get all the stamps of reliability that you could hope for, plus a complimentary maintenance package that not many in the industry provide. It is hence a strong contender in the very competitive crossover class, and it even holds its own against its Honda siblings.

To get the 2023 Honda Passport in North Salt Lake, Utah, check out the collection at Performance Honda Bountiful here.