Honda Passport Review ― Long-Term Road Test & Wrap-up 

same

Same

I purchased a 2019 Pilot Touring brand-new and I had the entire system shut down 2-3 times during road trips. I thought it was because the Dashboard got hot but I am not sure.

@@survivor_protector_testimo2437 Definitely unacceptable. I'd expect a problem like that from VW, GM or Hyundai, not Honda.

@@rkgsd even Hondas and toyota have problems during first year redesigns, but then they always fix there problems, but there's a reason why they say to never buy the first year.

UPDATE: I had the two Honda Recalls done: 20-047 & 20-051 as well a TSB 20-058 and I'm good to go... I can honestly say I love my Passport and that's after driving a couple of BMW's for the last 16 years...!

The fact you even initially tried that is bizarre.

I had three Honda’s but now that I have lexus o think Toyota is much better

"We've(Edmund's) come to a crossroads with the Passport over its infotainment. A system that at first seemed quirky but acceptable has caused major issues of late, and we've learned we're not the only ones with this experience. On separate occasions, with different drivers behind the wheel, the Passport's screen has suddenly stopped functioning in the middle of driving. The audio shuts off, and the touchscreen refuses to respond to commands. This means you lose whatever navigation, multimedia and other information you may have been using, and can't regain control. Both times it happened, our editors parked the Passport and turned it off for a short break. On one of those occasions, the screen flashed on and would not turn off even as the vehicle stopped running and the doors were locked. We contacted Honda, who brought the car in and issued a service to fix the "running infotainment" problem. The automaker says the fix will be available to owners as an over-the-air update soon (click here to access Honda's owner update site, under 'Software System Updates,' or here for instructions about over-the-air updates). But it does not solve the initial problem, which is a total shutdown of the infotainment system while the Passport is moving. This is a frustrating situation for buyers. It does not reflect well on the quality of the Passport's software, and causes a potential distraction hazard at speed. At time of writing, the problem has not occurred in more than two months, and there have been no issues in the short time since Honda completed its service. But we've learned other owners have had similar experiences in Passport, Pilot and Odyssey models. The company is "working to provide market repairs which include software and hardware fixes," we were told. Unfortunately, that's a hard answer to swallow. We will report back if any further issues arise." - Ryan ZumMallen, reviews editor

@@normt430 Wow thats a whole lot if info. Mine is fine after they replaced the touchscreen. However, I just received a notice that there is an update, (Recall), needed to fix problems that are the kind you described. Its about a half an hour update needed.

@@Bryanx1964 sorry, Honda is using it's customers as paying beta testers. Looks like Consumer Reports faced similar problems.

I’ve had the same screen issues on my 2019 as well as a crackling sound from the speakers (even when they’re off) that sounded like freezing rain hitting the windshield (it was July). It’s been in three times for recalls and all seems well for now except for a frequent error message saying a software update has failed even though the software shows as up to date when I run the update process manually over wifi. The passport feels solid and is probably the most rattle-free vehicle I’ve owned (better than Acura and Toyota) but the tech needs some serious work!

@@du3223 yep they have some sort of software or infotainment issues but the car is great.

...and cow bell; can't forget the cow bell

I had several serious problems with our Passport....Lane keep made you feel like a ping pong ball, while backing up and have a 'thunk" while turning the wheel to park, and the biggest problem was with the auto braking.....during a nice sunny day, clean windows, driving from 2 lane highway and merging to a 4 lane highway.....nothing at all in front of us when suddenly at 60mph the Passport just SLAMS on the brakes...thankfully there was no one close to us to the rear and I was able to get it moving without being rear ended. My wife thought I slammed on the brakes and asked me what I saw thinking I did it, but my foot never left the gas.....picture yourself doing 60 mph and having the brakes slammed on .....trust me, we never got over that and shortly thereafter traded it in. Service could never find a problem and we were not willing to chance it happening again. Great looking vehicle, comfy, but unsafe.

GDI, the proper word is loses NOT "looses." / pet peeve

Would this vcm tuner II work on the Honda Pilot also?

@@Paul-dv8zf Yes it will and you can confirm this information, at the vcmtuner web site. Many drivers will think that their transmission is "jerking", but it is actually the Honda's VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) switching. from using 6 cylinders, down to using fewer cylinders. Every time Honda's VCM changes, the driver can feel the clunk.

That's great information you provided and many can benefit. Thank you for sharing

Why should I have to do all that nonsense on a brand new $40,000 car?? That’s ridiculous that they can’t get the basics to work

@@914made2 This happens, as the competition forges forward. Honda doesn't make the 9 speed in the Passport.

Me too, just purchased the 2021 and so far so good!

Mo V why is the fixation on infotainment so important? I have no qualms with my vehicles that don’t have near these features. I don’t need fancy gizmos and gadgets to mask potential deficits.

@@ALMX5DP because from a multi-billion dollar company you'd expect for them to hire the best programmers who can hack together an infotainment UI that is logically intuitive to use and doesn't lag or crash during operation (which obviously wasn't the case for Honda here and several other manufacturers). I agree, things were much better and easier to use prior to the digitization of even the simplest of climate controls where we had buttons and knobs to control everything, but the industry is insistent that touchscreens are the way to go.

Hi, does the Sport have navigation?

@@Sheemsupreme33 now it does for 2021

Thank you.

@@Sheemsupreme33 Waze! It's better

Mpg a ton better than 4runner! And cheaper too.. and with more cargo space.

that’s not what he said. he said this is more than just a crv with more space.

@@Littleathquakesmaybe you can rewatch it?

honda crv trunk space 37 to 39 cf ft. passport 50 cf, that is way more like tamake said

My 2019 Touring, 2wd has made that clunk noise a couple times at almost full wheel lock, to the right. Dealer couldn't reproduce that about 1.5 yrs ago. I just don't full wheel lock. But second time I heard it was as I turned into a driveway with a bit of a lip. It made that cllunk not at full wheel lock turn. Hope it doesnt get worse with time. My warranty expires in May '22. i only have about 13,500 miles. Just went to dlr today for oil change/tire rotate.

Isuzo Rodeo

Every 105k miles. And if you’re paying $1,500 then your local shop or dealership is ripping you off.

The 9spd is a great transmission but according to the manufacturer, it is the transmission tune the problem, which is tune by each company that uses it. Si a 9spd works like a 7spd for DD habits, starts on 2nd gear and up to 7spd depending on your speed limit and once you reach a highway or higher speed limit over 65-85 then you use 8-9spd overdrives . Another issue is that people don’t know how to drive, most of them press and release the accelerator pedal instead of keeping a certain speed which confuse the transmission and it starts looking for gears.

I have an 2015 Acura with the same 9 speed trans, they apparently updated the software in the 2018 model year. Not happy with mine, not sure how much of a difference or better the one in the Passport is.

Yeah, pressing and keeping the accelerator pedal in a steady position makes tons of sense - such as approaching a red light, overtaking slower moving vehicles or driving in hilly, twisty conditions. At least that's how smart drivers do it. Until they wake up in the hospital - the ones that wake up anyway. Let's face it - a system that requires uncommon or illogical driving techniques is a poorly designed, deficient system. There's a reason Honda decided to design its own transmission in house to replace the outsourced 9-speed in future applications. It ain't very good.

18” are better

20 in tires are way cheaper than 19in

Then it would look like a Murano and what would that do for you? 🤔🥴

That was my only complaint, not enough storage in the back. Due to the wheel wells inside you can not carry a 4x8 or wide things. When you push a couch into the back you realize there is a lot less room inside the more you go in. I measured the width and height of the trunk opening and thought that is what I had to work with but inside a couple feet the measurements are a lot less. This is not for carrying sheets of plywood, drywall, couches or helping someone move. The roof rails are a must and did help me with moving a couch and some sheets of drywall. I installed a hitch to tow a u-haul if there is anything bigger. If you have 4 people inside there will not be the storage space these commenters give the impression there is. Love the car otherwise.

I got a Touring Passport. I did the infotainment update recall on September 1. No issue at the moment.

@@PRedvelez Thanks

@@fransiscon I never had an issue with my pilot 2020 but I did the update anyway

and that horse stance LOL

From where? GM owned JD power?

Hi Collins, is there anything specific about the transmission? i am going to buy a 2020 Elite - do you recommend?

Looking at a 2019 touring, curious exactly how you turn off the safety "nannies," I hate forced intrusive braking, lane assist etc😣

I’d say no CD player no new Honda’s do

I believe you can get one as a dealer installed accessory. It fits in the slot beneath the climate controls.

@yusuf islam No books on 8 track.

You get that option if you order your vehicle, most don’t come with it tho

Care to back up your statement?

Love it

Paul Naylor I tend to agree but there seems to be a market for this type of vehicle (made evident by the SUV coupe trend). I think some younger families may opt for this over a Pilot or even have it in addition to another family hauler like an odyssey or otherwise. For the relatively low investment by Honda, seems like a smart move.

I went with the passport, got the base sport model for 28k brand new.

@@akui88 Where That’s what I’m looking for

@@reyperez3424 i got it in july 2019, at gillman honda in Selma Texas. but i think it was july 4th special incentive deal.

Yeah seems marketed for younger people that don't have a family or kids to need the three rows. I have a 08 pilot and I was originally thinking about buying a new Pilot but the Passport just seems like the better option as it is a tad bit cheaper and new Pilots are too minivan like for me now.

Engine swap!

You can disable most of the gadgets but not all of the gizmos....I guess you would be paying to have them regardless.

My wife wife has a 2020 Passport Elite. Same issue with the popping speakers. The dealer ship changed some part out and now it doesn't do it anymore. Never had any issues with the rear view camera.

There’s a recall for that and you should already received a letter which gets you a 10 year warranty , mine doesn’t have the issue but I do have the 10 year warranty, only the base models are trouble free 😂

It’s a great transmission after the programming update

We have the 2021 and none of the issues mentioned on the comments

I’ve no issues.

And you think that's a realistic expectation? By the time the 'review' is over, two entirely new generations of vehicles will be on the market...

No... Just no.

If they did no one would buy it which is the reason a lot of manufacturers don’t offer manuals anymore because ppl “Say or Complain” that they want one but ppl never buy them new. Most ppl want manufacturers to make manuals so they can buy them used

Distraught? Disappointed at best.

Some people, including myself, actually prefer a mechanical parking brake. Believe it or not, some people, including myself, prefer not having a panoramic sunroof. And, although I don't like the instrument panel on the Passport, I also prefer analog gauges to digital. The rest of your points I agree with, however.

Buy the base model it’s a vastly superior deal imo

It's gonna look even more dated when the Pilot redesigns for 2022, and this just gets one of Honda's lazy refreshes, that they been doing lately (which is updating the front end kinda & leaving the tail lights the same) It's still gonna look like an older Pilot inside and out

@@b.f.378 Probably explains why the 2020 Sport are leasing in the $2xx range with a low money down. Reminds me of my wife's 2012 Pilot.

You obviously havent seen many actual 15 year old SUVs...

..you should see the 2020 370Z...It looks like a 12yo sports car... 🤔

@@K03sport now that is actually truth! *Though I still kinda like it.

@@ALMX5DP...I have no issues with the outside styling (different light treatments and bumper aero tweaks would have been welcome at the 6-year mark)...it's the interior. Nissan did nothing to it to bring it into the current era despite the majority of their lineup getting updates. All R&D money went into the $100k GT-R; like everyone has a $100k floating around and it's a high volume seller. Priorities--something Nissan has a hard time grasping...

@@K03sport yeah a bit odd and a shame that it didnt receive similar updates, but it's still a great drivers car and does everything you'd need your two seat sports coupe to do. If it were just a hair lighter by design, it might be my favorite reasonable sports car still.