2019 Honda Passport SUV brings the steak, not much sizzle
“You can complain about vanilla styling, but vanilla is the best-selling flavor of ice cream,” an exasperated auto executive once snapped at the 10th question about his midsize sedan’s unexciting appearance.
He was right, but I’ll take chocolate any day. With dark chocolate chunks, if you’re bringing my dessert. Occasionally a little jalapeno, just to see if I’m paying attention.
The 2019 Honda Passport SUV is an overflowing scoop of the finest vanilla automaking, topped with sprinkles of driver assistance features, interior space and price competitors will struggle to match.
Honda will sell every one of them that its plant in Lincoln, Ala., can turn out.
The Passport is the latest in a growing class of vehicles aimed at drivers who like the height, convenience and trendiness of an SUV, but can do without the parental connotations of three-row family haulers like Honda’s own Pilot, which not coincidentally rolls off the same assembly line as the Passport.
Five-passenger midsize SUVs like the Passport — bigger than a five-seat Honda CR-V, not as big as the seven-seat Pilot — are the flavor of the month. Automakers expect to charge as much for them as for bigger three-row models, netting a handsome return on the relatively small investment of a model that shares many parts with its bigger sibling.
Passport prices start at $31,990 for a front-wheel drive model. All-wheel drive raises the tab $1,900 to $33,890. All Passports come with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Passport’s main competitors are the Chevrolet Blazer — also new for 2019 — the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano.
Passport prices are competitive with those SUVs, but the top Elite model has more standard equipment than the comparable Blazer, Edge and Murano, giving it an effective price advantage.
The Subaru Outback is new for 2020. I haven’t tested one yet. Prices, specifications and fuel economy are not available for comparison.
I tested a loaded AWD Passport Elite. Features included adaptive cruise control; lanekeeping assist; blind-spot alert; front collision alert and automatic braking; Apple Car Play; Android Auto; navigation; Bluetooth; navigation; touch screen; leather interior trim; heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; and 20-inch alloy wheels.
It stickered at $43,680. All prices exclude destination charges.
Living with a Passport
The Passport has the biggest passenger compartment and most luggage space in the group. Day to day, that means lots of head, shoulder and legroom in both rows of seats. There’s plenty of storage space in the front seat, particularly from a wide and deep bin in the center console.
The front bucket seats have flimsy fold-down armrests that I had to readjust every time I buckled my seat belt. Most SUVs use a taller bin in the center console with a padded lid for a center armrest, but Honda says its buyers like the flip-down armrests, which its CR-V compact SUV also has.
The dashboard, armrests and door tops are covered in soft materials that look and feel good.
There’s a big, easy-to-use touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for smartphones. Voice recognition is good.