by Aiden Eksteen
The 2021 Honda Passport is part of the third Passport generation that was introduced to the USA in 2019. That makes the midsize SUV a fairly new arrival to the highly popular classification, but with its pragmatic overall design, balanced performance, and versatile interior, it's quickly become a sought-after choice. It employs the services of a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine to support its size and heft, and it does this exceptionally. The Honda Passport SUV offers a steadfast and composed driving experience, whether you're meandering around town or traveling long distances and on the highway. It's built on the same platform as the Pilot but offers an expansive cabin and cargo bay in lieu of the third-row seating found in the Pilot. It boasts a modern and exceptionally well-built interior, too, as well as the superb safety and reliability standards that are synonymous with the brand. It may not be the best-looking midsize SUV or the most comfortable - the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, and Chevrolet Blazer all proving to be compelling competition - but we're sure it's still got what it needs to be choice well worth considering.
The Passport is so good that Honda decided to leave it mostly unchanged for the 2021 model year. You still get the same engine options, seating capacity, and interior space as before, but the Japanese automaker has added a new standard feature: an eight-inch infotainment display, which replaces the old five-inch unit. Other than that, the lineup remains unchanged and only sees a small price increase.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sport |
3.5L V6 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$32,790 |
EX-L |
3.5L V6 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$36,810 |
Touring |
3.5L V6 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$39,680 |
Elite |
3.5L V6 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$44,180 |
Crossover SUVs are some of the most well-rounded and pragmatic cars on the market, which is the reason they're so popular. Not only does the 2021 Honda Passport play to these needs by virtue of being a five-seater vehicle based on a three-row SUV platform, but it also surpasses its very many competitors in several other factors. It may not the most attractive or stylish 5-door SUV, but some may admire its home-spun demeanor and unostentatious repute. The tried-and-tested V6 beneath its hood provides plenty of vigor and even some character, though we wouldn't call it very efficient. The Passport SUV feels confident and comfortable when driven in urban settings, whether in the city or on the highway. The cabin is immensely spacious, versatile, and comfortable, and clearly bears the high-quality look and feel Honda has become known for. It also boasts one of the most spacious cargo areas in the classification and can even tow a decent amount of stuff. On top of everything, an exceptional crashworthiness review of the 2021 Honda Passport by both the NHTSA and the IIHS is matched by Honda's proclivity for dependability. All in all, the Passport may be one of the more expensive options in the segment, but with what it offers overall, it's certainly well worth the money.
If you're looking to receive the most value from the 2021 Honda Passport SUV at its price, the mid-spec EX-L is perhaps the optimal pick. Over the Sport, the EX-L comes outfitted with really nice features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and power-adjustable front seats, leather-upholstered seating, a power-operated moonroof, and second-row sunshades just to name a few. Though already quite comprehensive, the EX-L also comes with an extended driver-assist suite with blind-spot warning with cross-traffic assistance added to the mix.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Honda Passport: