2024 Honda Passport TrailSport Review and Off-Road Test 

Toyota has no hook on the Tundra....insanity

While I don't disagree with you on this the lift and the skid plate can always be added (granted for a bit more $$$).

@@travisp11 oh for sure, I’ve seen plenty of people do that aftermarket. With Honda naming it the Trailsport though, would like to see more trail related things added from the factory to differentiate this particular trim.

@@mikefoehr235 wow, I didn’t realize that, will have to look into that. Such a miss if that’s the case.

Honda said no.

I bought a 2024 PP Trailsport about two weeks ago and yeah, I did test drive a 4Runner but I liked the ride and performance on road of the Passport. Mine will see some very light off road use so I wasn't too worried about heavy trail capability.

@@RRr-yl8zrGo watch JonDZ take his Passport off-road. He’s got no issues at all.

Amen. People act like the gonna be climbing mountains with this thing. No one is ever in a situation like that lol

dont name it a trailsport then cars trash

@@RRr-yl8zrGo buy yourself a 4Runner if you go offroading everyday.

@@RRr-yl8zrit depends on the terrain you plan to take it on. On gravel, snow, ice, wet prairie on the way to where I go hunt it is perfect. Just have to know your ground clearance limitations . Yeah, Honda should have added more off road goodies to my Passport but I can always add whatever I need to make it perform better. Let’s not forget that these vehicles perform well on the pavement where they may spend a good chunk of their life.

@@RRr-yl8zr all off road vehicles are bad on gas tf you talking about. 8 inches is the industry standard, 4runners have 8 inch ground clearance stock.

This channel actually decided what my last purchase was going to be. No bs just straight reviews. It's the best

I 100% agree, we observed during the extreme Snow challenge, that when Toyota RAV4 Transmisson protested over-heating. You pulled back, reset and then proceeded again. It's good to know you had challenges and expected more from a Trail Sport Trim package. So my question why the bailout on the test? Was it the level of protest by the Honda sensors alone or concern the system was going to get damaged and this was a loner Honda?

Also, it probably didn’t overheat. When certain wheels spin much faster than others, cars often freak out and give you a Christmas tree of alerts. I think it has to do with the wheel speed sensors

I definitely agree. Who doesn't give it another try when it obviously could been just the drivers fault, NOT the car.

@@isaidit4720its drivers fault. Hes not the greatest. He tries driving into a pile of dirt, then calls it a fail. Next vehicle, he digs as that earth away. Hes not bright.

I think they are holding out on all of the upgrades for the 2025 model year. I've been seeing some concept photos online for it.

@@travisp11 - Thanks. Let us hope that the 2025 model has skid plates, tow hooks, front camera and a better 4wd drive system.

What does your whining have anything to do with this video? You think Subaru is watching this 😂

@@KenCheng you sound like the type of gentleman that lowers his pants to the floor while standing at the public urinals.

@@haroldbeauchamp3770LMAO. Spot on, my friend.

Subaru would be great if not for their cvt.

This is about Honda Passport dudes! For sure when the times come there will be a video about Subaru. For now this Honda needs to be revise. I thought it was going to eat the trail!

You just need to know what it can and cannot do.

I may be removing those lower bumper moldings if it wont affect any of the other components on my 2024.

I was interested in the 4Runner but went with a Passport because it had a more comfortable ride and I have always wanted to experience a Honda V6.

@@RRr-yl8zr yes and no was getting pressed into the dirt and not over. Hard to get past the physics of the earth pushing back at you.

@@RRr-yl8zr The awd drive system didn’t completely shut down. It overheated because the car was literally stuck. Also, the Trailsport is not supposed to be a heavy duty off roader and the next one will have more upgrades to make it comparable to the new Pilot Trailsport.

It’s made for small trails. Not climbing big rock mounds.

@@ryanb8736 That is a small trail and on a 1-10 scale of off road it’s a 1.

Mine is gonna see the occasional gravel road and some prairie romps to the deer stand but not much more so for my needs it should work just fine. I'm gonna be installing a No Lo Designs front skid plate in March of this year.

3r row is for larger family and useless to me. Passport fits all my requirements for snow.

I KNEW you'd show up. Should have thrown it into the video. "And... here's... JonDZ..." lol. I was wondering if Honda has made their sensor threshold lower on this newer model. Activating protections well before it's needed. I say that since TFL had the same exact issue with their press sample (different cars, same equipment). Also, like you say, I've pushed them harder in the past and never had this issue. (But without being side-to-side it's hard to know for certain just how "hard" the internals are getting pushed in any scenario.) In the end its just disappointing that Honda hasn't yet given the Passport the same amount of re-engineering they gave Pilot. Not to mention the lack of tranny cooler and hitch that are both standard on TrailSport Pilot.

@@drivingsports A passport with a “transmission problem” warning ⚠️ needs to be taken to the dealership ASAP. This isn’t a warning that’s going to pop up because because the vehicle ran into adversity. This isn’t the same as an “AWD system Hot” warning. This doesn’t have anything to do with threshold adjustments. Again, this is a completely different warning, and it points to a manufacturer defective transmission, or maybe an overfilled transmission. If it’s the later, there needs to be better quality control. The 2024 Passport Trailsport is mechanical identical or at the very least similar. Even before installing the OEM transcooler on my Passport, I never had a transmission overheated warning. Honestly, I don’t think it does much on the trails, and is more suited for highway towing where air is constantly getting rammed into the cooler. Unfortunately, the 2023 Pilot Trailsport doesn’t have a transmission cooler either, and driving up trails in Colorado, a much lighter pilot with much less overland gear was showing higher transmission temperatures than my ZF9 equipped Honda. We observed that the fans don’t turn on until temps get into the 200F+ range. Actually, I did an April fools joke 2 years back where I faked a transmission problem by pulling the shifter harness. So, maybe there’s an issue with the harness wiring.

Jon still remember me? Why being a motormouth? I bet Honda didn't give you a fan cap.

@@youngk.1838 sorry, I can’t make sense of your comment, and with that said if you left similar quality comments I wouldn’t remember. If you can redo your comment, I will answer your question.

I thought I was going to like them, but they were waaaay too narrow. My arm naturally fell far wide of where the armrest was. I'm maybe taller than average but not crazy, just over 6'.

4Runner to Maverick to Ranger Tremor to Ranger Raptor or 2024 Land Cruiser, whichever arrives first. 😂

@@drivingsports Thanks I didn’t know you kept switching, I thought you were just a baller accumulating cars.

4Runner is awful driving on road. Plus you can’t drive it in AWD in snow storms.

I wanted a 4Runner till I drove one. Feels like something from the 80’s. Cool, but too outdated and lethargic for me.

You can get heated rear seats on the black edition.

They were on the elite (top trim) of the previous pps.

Id like to see it run again without those lower moldings in place. The angle and the overhang couldn't get past the physics of being pushed into the dirt.

That’s a very specific scenario, but I’d go with a 4Runner TRD Off-Road with proper tires or chains.

@@drivingsports That is what I thought you would say, I am deciding between a Wrangler and 4Runner and I wanted to get your input. If I just asked which was best in snow I thought you answer could pretty involved as you tried to cover the variables. Thanks! Love your channel!

Yes, needs a tranny cooler.

The 5k lb tow package adds a tranny cooler. Maybe that's the reason why I havent seen these messages in my off-road use.

Honda and Acura have extremely over sensitive yaw rate sensors for early warnings. Especially when on an angle. They need to fix it in software.

As a PP Elite owner who put in TS wheels and Wildpeak tires who also drove the car on several off road rocky, sandy, and/or mud trails, I disagree with your statement. I have never seen those messages. In this case, the system somehow found out that the front was scraping and the vehicle wasn't moving forward so it told the driver to stop driving and maybe look around. Quite intelligent if you ask me.

​​@@SlowRollaAE82Just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Clearly, the issue occurs when you are in situations where you are asking for sustained periods of torque transfer and that overheats the clutches in the rear diff. The temperature sensor registers higher than normal operating temps and stops vectoring power to save the components from physical damage. It isn't that sophisticated to know the front end is up against an obstacle. It's literally just the computer reading wheel speed sensors figuring out how fast the vehicle is moving and where you try to divert power. It's a great system and very advanced in terms of on-demand AWD systems, but it isn't robust like a true off-road 4wd setup. The point of my comment is that these are not heavy-duty off-roaders. They have low ground clearance and it is easy to stuff the nose into dirt berm or high center which is going to tax the AWD system. That AWD system isn't designed for such use. It isn't what I'd call a defect, but a limitation or shortcoming. Multiple journalist who have tested the Passport, Pilot, or Ridgeline have experienced AWD system overheat warnings. Maybe it's misuse/abuse, but I don't think they are necessarily doing something that some owners wouldn't try themselves. At a minimum, it's useful to know how far a vehicle's capabilities go. Journalists aren't going to intentionally abuse a vehicle knowing that such behavior jeopardizes their future ability to have access to press fleet vehicles.

Its never been bad and jeep has been using Brake Lock Differentials since MY2005

You're right! While not perfect, brake vectoring has huge advantages. It requires no additional specialized parts (i.e., multiclutch differentials like this Passport), which means there is no additional equipment to: 1. fail, 2. add weight, 3. add complexity/service cost. It's basically just software. As long as your brakes and driveline components can handle the torque being transferred through them by individually braking a wheel and your motor can generate enough power to overcome the braked wheel(s), it tends to be much more capable in practice than many people expect.

Thank you for your reasoned comment. I have a '23 Passport and my buddies have said "Well, it's not a REAL 4 wheeler." Right. It's not meant to be. It's meant to be what it is... an AWD SUV that can handle some logging roads and camp trails, and most folks will find that more than acceptable. You want a 4 wheeler, buy a jeep with a lift and a locker.

Outback Wilderness.

This is literally the comparison I was making early last year and went with the Outback Wilderness after driving both. Happy to answer any questions you have.

@@drivingsportsthanks!!

@@uncalmthanks. How has your experience been with the Outback Wilderness. I have owned a few Subarus so I know they are like tanks in snow! I was led to believe that the Passport as well as the Pilot were more reliable than Turbo Subarus with CVTs due to the naturally aspirated V6 and regular transmission.

​@@AJSparacio413 Overall a great car. My only real complaint is the infotainment. It's slow and clunky but if you're using CarPlay/Android Auto the whole time it is mostly fine. The other negative I can think of is the poor city fuel economy. I get around 20mpg city. This is usually made up for by the great highway economy, usually at or near 30mpg. I've driven it on a few longer trips and the 30mpg highway combined with the 18.5 gallon tank has given me a range of, no joke, ~500 miles, which is amazing. Plenty of power, and it comes on down low, too. All of the torque is available at 2,000rpm, which is where most people are driving when they're in the city anyway. Nice soft and compliant ride. I think the 17" wheels and thicker tires are definitely an upgrade in that regard, even if you never take it off road. The extra sidewall helps with bumps. I'm not sure what to think about the reliability question. I think Honda has a great reputation, and a lot of this kind of thing is mostly that: reputation. Subarus have not had head gasket issues since the early 2000s, but yet the rumor persists that all turbo Subaru motors are unreliable. People don't like CVTs because Nissan in particular put out a terrible product and everyone associated CVTs with those garbage Nissan units. Are modern Subarus more reliable or less reliable than modern Hondas? I have no idea. I know Honda just recalled 2.5M cars for defective fuel pumps, but I wouldn't call Honda unreliable. My family has owned 4 Subarus (2 turbo, 2 NA) and 4 Hondas over the last 40 years, maintained them well, and we've had almost no issues with any of them. When it comes to Japanese cars in particular, I think they're mostly pretty similar. Where you start to get real reliability differences is when you start to compare to American and German, in particular.

They’re aware of the video. My guess is it won’t be updated until the next model change.

I had my dealer install the tow package (receiver hitch and wiring harness) and I did watch an install video on it over on the Curt towing YT channel. It's not too difficult but I had the dealer do the install so it wouldn't void my warranty and I paid $900 for everything which yes, was pretty pricey.

I think you're the second person who mentioned that. Did their test car also have the red paint? I wonder if it's the same loaner vehicle.

@@SlowRollaAE82 no their passport was a grayish blueish color. TFL tested a Honda Ridgeline years ago offroad with a few other small pickups and the Ridgeline awd system overheated.

Nope.

Nevermind. Just finished the video.

No camparison.

No. It’s always on.

At the end of the day Passport and Pilot are glorified versions of the Odyssey minivan. Incomparable to the TLC (which is actually not, because of being in fact the mid-size Prado, and the "true" LC is the 300-series, ditched in the US market) in terms of the off-road capability, same like the LC is no better than these Hondas on pavement, overall ride comfort and cabin space.

@@RRr-yl8zr 🤣🤣🤣

Yup.

Peut-être, mais si Honda veut faire un VUS avec lequel on peut faire des siennes, il suffit de le programmer différemment ! J’allais acheter un passeport 2025, mais grâce à cette vidéo je vois que Honda n’a pas réglé les problèmes de « surchauffe » de son système que j’ai trop vu dans plusieurs vidéos ; Et malheureusement, je laisserai tomber ce choix lors de mon prochain achat. Ils n’avaient qu’à y réfléchir. Nous construisons un SUV pour le tout-terrain ou non. Donc sinon on ne construit que des versions Touring etc..

Thankyou for this test and segment. I've been intrigued with this Passport Trailsport. Though it's offroad performance was kind of a let down, there are many things this vehicle does well. Curious if you've heard any rumblings(good or bad) regarding the timing belt? Wonder if the 2025 refresh/updates will include a timing chain instead of a belt. Thanks again for covering this vehicle.

@@Chubbydippin it’s supposed to be getting redesigned relatively soon, and no I have not heard anything about rumbling. je suis désolé de ne pas t'avoir répondu plus tôt !

@@RRr-yl8zrThat’s what these reviewers want. 😂

I am one of these buyers who has passed on Honda for the reasons you mentioned.

Same. I cross shopped the Passport early last year and ended up going with a different vehicle, despite really liking the good parts of the Passport. You're absolutely right though, there is so much potential in the platform. Kinda wild that I've seen multiple videos on this channel alone of Passport AWD issues. I believe there was an earlier video on this channel of the AWD system overheating after going up a small hill. I don't know what kind of field testing Honda is doing but whatever it is, it seems to be quite a bit gentler than the stuff Ryan does.

EXACTEMENT ! ConsidérEer (en anglais seulement)

Except when you have to drive in a snow blizzard for 3 hours. 4 wheel drive transfer case will overheat. AWD is better for road use.

@@ryanb8736you realize a lot of true 4wd systems offer a auto mode now

But it's like Ryan said if you don't need the 3rd row and don't want to spend the additional $5K and know the Passports limits, go with a Passport which is what I did.

Had an opportunity to buy one of the first Ford Mavericks. Expected to then buy the new 4R but then it got pushed back.

@@drivingsports we shared the same vehicle for a while. I turned my 4Runner in because I felt it made a lousy daily driver. Got a new Acura RDX. Very happy so far. Thanks for all your videos and reviews. I watch even when I’m not in the market 👍

The black and white menus look like an old atari game font.

Idk though review seems shady though. This guy loves to praise his Subarus. Every time it comes to Hondas he'll show the negatives and cut the video immediately. Other videos I've seen such as TFL the ivtm4 system destroys the competition. I think this guy must've deliberately sabotaged the PP awd system somehow.

Of course, he is sponsored by Subaru. Lately he's making a lot of videos about the passport often comparing it to the other cross-shopped OutbackWilderness. Only negative he says about Subaru is that they need a heated steering wheel @@sir_shit_talk_alot 🤣

In today’s high inflation, they only have funds to do one at a time.

Just a software flash.