Honda Passport Makes World Debut In Los Angeles

Honda has revealed the Passport five-seat mid-size crossover at the Los Angeles auto show.

If that name is familiar, it's because the Japanese company used that badge on an Isuzu-built model it sold in the 1990s in the US. This new vehicle's engineering is all Honda, however.

Sized to slot in between the CR-V and Pilot in the Honda range, the mid-size Passport and its five-seat interior compete against vehicles like the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano.

The Passport borrows much of its engineering from the larger Pilot, including a 3.5L V6 that makes 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque and is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Interestingly, the Passport skips the six-speed auto standard in the Pilot's lower trims. The new model does come standard with AWD, however.

So motivated, the Passport will tow nearly 1,600 kg in base spec and closer to 2,300 kg with an optional towing package. Honda says the Passport is better suited to rough going than the Pilot thanks to an extra 27 mm of ground clearance, its shorter wheelbase and smaller front and rear overhangs.

Honda claims Passport has the most passenger volume and total interior volume in its class, and offers 1,166 L of cargo space behind the rear seat, or 2,205 L with the rear seat folded.

Standard tech includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and a 7.0-inch customizable TFT gauge cluster. All trims (Sport, EX-L and Touring) also get the Honda Sensing active safety suite.

Honda has not announced Canadian Passport pricing, but says the new crossover will reach dealerships early next year, likely shortly after it makes its Canadian auto show debut in Montreal.