2019 Honda Passport Elite Suv Experience

2019 Honda Passport Elite Suv Experience https://goo.gl/rhFnqV

The 2019 Honda Passport expands the automaker’s SUV lineup, fitting between the small CR-V and the three-row Pilot. This new five-passenger model will compete against the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge, and Nissan Murano.
It’s essentially a Pilot that has been shorted by 6 inches and given a bit sportier visual flair, highlighted by more black trim elements, such as the pieces surrounding the fog lamps. There are some minor hardware changes, such as a firmer suspension, that aim to make handling more responsive than what you’d find on the Pilot.
The Passport is well-equipped. Honda says that with the Passport, it’s dropping the typical LX base trim, saying that buyers in this market segment shy away from base versions. The trims are Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, and starting prices range from $31,900 to $43,680. All the trims except the Elite come with front-wheel drive standard (all-wheel drive is an option). Only the Elite trim has standard all-wheel drive.

The Passport undercuts the price on comparably equipped competitors (such as the Blazer, Edge, and Murano), particularly when factoring in how much it costs to get key safety equipment.

Honda says it expects the EX-L to be the most widely sold version, at $36,410, and it’s what we plan to buy for testing once it goes on sale in February. It includes leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory, blind spot warning, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a HomeLink programmable garage door opener, second-row sunshades, and a sunroof. Unlike with its competitors, a panoramic sunroof is not available.

The Touring version has navigation, telematics, a hands-free tailgate, parking sensors, and heated rear seats.

To bolster the Passport’s modest off-road ability, there are four driver-selected modes: Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow. This is a helpful convenience seen on several other SUV models. Each mode can change traction control and how power is managed between front and rear tires. These changes can make it easier for drivers to get out of mud and slushy snow.

We drove an Elite version of the Passport. It’s the top trim level and adds all-wheel drive, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, and more.