2022 Honda Passport AWD TrailSport – Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Now with bigger balls

David Colman

Photos and Story By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

Honda's midsize Passport SUV has always been a stoutly constructed, intelligently packaged family hauler. But until now, the 2-row Passport has lagged the competition in off-road bragging rights and looks. To rectify that situation, the company introduced a new backroad friendly variant for 2022 called the Passport TrailSport. This is a mid-model-range Passport with a base price of $42,470. The TrailSport edition provides intelligent all-wheel-drive (i-VTM4) coupled to trail-happy 18 inch gray alloy rims fitted with deep-treaded, tall sidewall Firestone Destination LE2 all-season rubber (245/60R18). Special color and styling differentiates the TrailSport with orange and black badging front and rear, orange embroidered seat headrest logos, TrailSport tagged rubber floor mats, and orange interior mood lighting.

The Passport we tested offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance, a stature that enhanced its off-road potential. The revamped Passport utilizes a 9-speed automatic transmission to distribute 280hp produced by its 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 gas engine. This combination records an EPA fuel economy rating of 21MPG in combined city/highway driving and the rig is tow-rated for 5000lbs. Honda redesigned everything forward of the A pillars this year, and the squared-off front grill in particular adds a pugnacious aspect to the Passport that was absent in previous versions. Stylists also re-sculpted the hood with a pronounced power bulge, and added a mock skid plate to the underside of the front bumper. We discovered the heavy new hood to be awkward to lift and support with its spindly pivoting rod. A pair of hydraulic cylinders would take care of that problem.

The i-VTM4 traction management system allows the driver to customize - with the flick of a center console switch - the Passport's performance for different terrain challenges. You can even select an "AWD" graphic on the dash that depicts which wheels are providing traction at any given instant. Drive mode choices include normal (pavement), sand, snow, and mud. Honda suggests that the sophistication of this system "expands the Passport's off-road ability well beyond its crossover-based competition." To back up that claim, the company has entered a race prepared Passport for a full season of closed course ARA (American Rally Association) events in the "Limited 4WD" class. Chris Sladek, a Honda suspension test engineer has been driving the Passport in competition. He commented that "The fact that we didn't have to make any modifications to the 2022 Passport drivetrain or suspension for such punishing terrain or competition speaks volumes to the capability and performance that comes standard in the Passport."

We did question why Honda's assortment of driving modes did not include a "Sport" offering. In "Normal" mode, we found the responsiveness of the throttle to be laggardly - the kind of delayed reaction you would perhaps expect from an "Eco" setting. You can partially compensate for this response delay by punching the "Drive" button on the transmission twice. The second punch brings up a "Sport" setting for the gearbox which allows you to control gear choice via small plastic paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. This method produces instant acceleration - provided you have selected the appropriate gear of the nine forward gears available. If you select a gear that is inappropriate, the transmission will blink, then refuse your command. While this system works well for regulating engine speed, it plays no part in tightening steering response or altering shock absorber jounce or rebound.

Even without manual shifting, the Passport is plenty quick enough to accomplish passing maneuvers on a two lane road. The 0-60mph run takes just 6 seconds, and the standing start quarter mile flies past in 14.6 seconds at 94mph. We were quite surprised at the SUV's agile handling on twisty back roads. While you sense perceptible lean from the 72-inch high cab, the 4,170lb. SUV tracks precisely, steering response remains informative, and the Firestones mudders give a stellar account of themselves even on pavement.

We also particularly liked the interior configuration, which allows you to transform the second-row seats into a flat and stable cargo platform in just a matter of seconds. We recently tested a 3-row SUV which took more than twice as long to convert from seats to storage, and in the end offered half the flat floor convenience of this Passport. If you're looking for a lot of sport infused with a bonus of utility, you can't do better than Honda's revamped Passport.

2022 HONDA PASSPORT AWD TRAILSPORT

ENGINE: 3.5 liter V-6, 24-valve SOHC, aluminum block and heads Direct Fuel Injection
HORSEPOWER: 280hp@6000rpm
TORQUE: 262lb.-ft.@4700rpm
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 19MPG City/24MPH Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $44,090

HYPES: New Off Road Chops

GRIPES: No Sport Driving Mode

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10