2023 Honda Passport EX-L Review

The midsize crossover class is one of the most competitive segments in the automotive market today, and the Honda Passport is one of the reasons why. It has a reputation for setting the standards when it comes to capability, but also excelling in terms of drivability.

The 2023 Honda Passport should also possess these characteristics. In this review, we take a good look at the highlights of its base trim, the 2023 Passport EX-L. Despite it being the entry-level variant, it should provide you with a lot of value.

Features

The 2023 Honda Passport is currently in its 3rd generation, which debuted back in 2019 as a successful comeback effort. It received a facelift just last year and so this year’s model doesn’t receive any significant updates or changes.

The Passport 2023 offers three trim levels, with the EX-L being the base model. It offers a single powertrain option and many standard features.

Powertrain and Numbers

The Passport EX-L 2023 features a 3.5-liter V6 that’s good for 280 hp and 262 lb-ft, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. This heap of power is sent to all four wheels for maximum traction. You can expect it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just around 6 seconds.

The Passport EX-L also has some serious SUV credentials, as indicated by its stellar towing capacity. If you’re in the mood for some trailering on the weekend, know that this bad boy can tow up to 5000 lbs and carry up to 1332 lbs of payload.

Despite its immense capabilities, this car is not a gas guzzler by any means. The EPA rates it quite decently, as it can achieve ratings of up to 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Pretty good for a snippy V6 engine in this day and age.

Interior and Technology

The interior of the 2023 Passport EX-L gives off a premium vibe thanks to the design and Honda’s choice of materials. It can seat up to five occupants comfortably as the headroom and legroom are exceptional for the class.

Not only does the 2023 Honda Passport EX-L have a lot of space for its passengers, but it also eats up your baggage like it’s nothing. The trunk is capacious enough to be considered class leading, which is complimented by the cubby storage. Foldable rear seats allow for more space.

The Passport EX-L features a high-end interior with gray leather upholstery on the seats and steering wheel. The tech includes tri-zone climate control, push-button ignition, keyless entry, a hands-free powered tailgate, a one-touch moonroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

You also get 10- and 4-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, respectively, both of which are heated. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen, a 7-speaker stereo system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, USB ports and power points.

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

Exterior and Driving

The 2023 Passport looks sharp and sophisticated. It offers features such as LED brake lights and projector headlights, powered and heated side mirrors with memory settings, a roofline spoiler, and dual exhausts.

There are several packages available that can spruce up the exterior’s aesthetics, functionality, or both. The HPD Black Package is an example as it can give your Passport EX-L a more aggressive look with its 20-inch black wheels, decals, lower door trim, and fender flares.

There’s also the HPD Bronze Package which offers similar add-ons, but in… you guessed it, bronze. But perhaps you want a more rugged vehicle, in which case the Utility Package will do the trick with its crossbars, roof rails, and trailer hitch.

The 2023 Honda Passport EX-L is available in the following exterior colors:

All the models of the 2023 Honda Passport exhibit great driving manners. Not only is the powertrain smooth and instantaneous, but the vehicle also has responsive steering and excellent handling.

The ride quality is very Hondaesque as the cabin is a quiet one with no vibration whatsoever. The suspension quality is out of this world, and it just eats up all the blemishes on the road. Some testers have compared the 2023 Passport’s comfort with that of a modern minivan.

Reliability and Warranty

The Honda Passport EX-L 2023 along with the rest of the trims gets a score of 83 out of 100 by JD Power, putting it in the Great category. Consumer Reports also expects it to be more reliable than the average new car. The reviews from its current owners are also positive.

You get two warranties; a limited one for 3 years/36k miles and a powertrain one covering you for 5 years/60k miles. An added bonus is that Honda also offers 2 years/24k miles of complimentary maintenance – not too common in the market.

Verdict

The Honda Passport EX-L has proven to be an all-rounder midsize crossover SUV. We begin with its powerful engine that allows it to accelerate quickly and out-tow its competitors. Despite this, it manages to have a decent fuel economy.

The interior is very upscale and is great to look at. It is comfortable and so is the ride quality. There are all sorts of technology offered despite this being the entry-level model. You’ll be glad to find out all sorts of convenience and safety amenities not found on its rivals.

The driving dynamics make this seem more like a sedan than an SUV, a common theme amongst Honda crossovers. Also, this is a reliable vehicle as indicated by its ratings and user reviews. You also get to enjoy complimentary maintenance for a limited period.

To get the 2023 Honda Passport EX-L in Woods Cross, North Salt Lake UT, Centerville UT, and Bountiful UT, check out Performance Honda Bountiful here.