@@thedeadpoet000 Hey i am not arguing with you it just seems like the general consensus was it was ugly and unnecessary. I always thought they were kind of cool.
The Passport is unapologetically old school simple which in my view is refreshing because so many SUV/CUV alternatives seem more focused on glitz vs real life use and functionality. This is the kind of vehicle you would purchase for the long term, not flip it in 24-36 months. Tried & true Honda in every way 👍
@@jmakhlouf422 Agreed. Being the prior owner of two 1G TLX's and now the owner of the new 21 A-Spec, I truly miss the song of that J35. Fortunately, I still get to hear it in my 22 MDX....although I think it met its match with the new MDX's additional curb weight.
@@David_Journey . It might seem that way but the I-VTEC in the PP is by far one of the most advanced on the market. Plus, there are 3,000 to 10,000 market adjustment markups on Tellurides and other vehicles. I purchased my Trailsport below msrp and got a ton of cash on my trade in. My payment is just literally a few bucks more than I was paying for my Camry which was about ten grand less.
The In The Shoppe is legitimately one of the best things on RU-vid. Savagegeese branded asymmetrical bendpack lift, studio white walls, lots of dolly pans during filming. Great lighting. OEMs should have similar shots for you marketing.
As someone who drives a 2016 Accord with the V6, I agree whole heartedly that this “previous generation” drivetrain just can’t be beat. Get it while you can.
Yeah I’ve owned both turbo I4 (2017 Civic) and V6 (2006 Acura TL) Hondas. The new turbo 4s are great, but there’s just something special about the old J-series V6.
I got my wife a 2021 Passport. We absolutely love the vehicle. We’re at 20k miles now and it’s still one of our favorite vehicles we’ve owned other then our 2012 Pilot which we still have and has been flawless as well.
Does it utilize VCM? If so, have you thought about disabling it? EDIT: I just saw the Eco button during the final thoughts segment, so I assume you are in control of the VCM?
This video is what convinced me to pick a passport for my wife. She has a 2022 we bought new right as the 2023 models were coming out. Being a generation behind for reliability and also the being able to feel something while driving it were spot on and exactly what I was looking for. It is a perfect car for her. Tows 5000lbs for my boats and gets ok fuel economy. Whole family and the dog fit and we can keep it for a decade with honda's reliability and a simple drivetrain set up. Your no bullshit reviews are greatly appreciated.
This car was not on my radar at all until this review. As a recovering car guy, this fit me perfectly to haul family and a mountain bike. Glad I saw this to point in the right direction! Getting 25mpg mix (grandpa speeds), super smooth drivetrain, angry vtec where needed, and flat (for an suv) handling. 👌
Just picked up a 2023 Passport Trailsport last week!! I love the sound of the J35 and the "old school" feel of this SUV. Definitely the kind of vehicle you keep forever
Test drove a '21 Ridgeline this weekend. The drive train was just as good as I remembered, but the wife did not like VTECH. "What the hell is THAT? It's LOUD."
The Passport Trailsport reminds me a lot of the First Generation Honda Pilot which I owned and loved it for its simplicity, got me everywhere we needed to be in relative comfort. The AWD worked great for snowy conditions and got us to our destination in a safe manner. Sometimes a simple design is far superior to a tech ridden monstrously which I am finding more and more SUV's and CUV becoming.
At age 57, that is exactly what I am looking for. Once I am retired I don't want to be dropping $50k then. If I get this now, pay it off when I am 62 and then I can buy a GTI or something fun, but I have to eat the peas and carrots before I can have the pudding. :-)
We bought a 2021 Passport last year. What an incredible vehicle. Old school feel with just enough modern elements. We have 2 huge Alaskan Malamutes that we can haul around, but I can also have fun with the V6 outside of that. Perfect SUV for those that want old school performance and don't need a third row but like having cargo space.
We have a '19 also. We also have a Labradoodle and a Great Pyrenees/Newfie mix. The room is great albeit very hairy. That J series is a fantastic motor! It takes my car off the line almost every time :(
I've found that this drivetrain is super fun in the snow. Mainly because the AWD system really won't let you screw up too badly. Unless you try this AWD system in medium to deep snow; it's hard to explain the fun and confidence it provides.
@Dominic Ledwith. I agree. I've owned some really nice vehicles with really nice infotainment systems and interiors, but nothing compares to the feel of my Passport Trailsport. I love this vehicle. It's just simple and I much prefer the V6 to turbo engines I've owned in the past.
When are you going to do a video of Patagonia VS North Face? I need to know which brand to go with when I'm driving my Ford Raptor though Starbucks drive through.
We leased one last week. The last generation feeling is absolutely true, and that is the reason I got it. But it is ultimately practical, still has great features, drives nicely, and is roomy. It doesn't feel that affordable any more at $45k, but it's cheaper than a 4Runner. It's not as soft or as hi-techy as a Hyundai/Kia, but it feels solid and I can still feel the road. Visibility is great. Also, I felt that this was my last chance to get a naturally aspirated V6. I wish I could start a collection and add an Armada to remember the time before everything became turbo charged. Even though TrailSport is really just appearance, the thicker tires do help with the horrible Wyoming roads and the leather seats look nice. Also, a foot operated parking brake pedal...Yes! Paddle shifters so I can redline my SUV...also, Yes! I wish I could have gotten the gold wheels.
I love an SUV that is non turbo natural asperated non CVT transmission v/6 is the vehicle for me. I own a 2020 MDX Advance, that is now a generation behind on tech, the point being that has way to much tech for my liking, yet my wife loves it. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
I feel like Honda always keeps the spirit of being a motorcycle, even with the cars. Lot's of great engine noises, and the ability to "throw around" the smaller cars. Driving my wife's HR-V can be just as fun as my V8 truck, but for completely different reasons.
So much agree with this. We have a manual transmission Honda Fit in our household and it's as much fun as our two other vehicles that have nearly 3X the horsepower. Honda just builds a little more fun in their cars.
Wife has a 2021 pilot with same power train, good friend has a 2020 passport. I love driving both, the noise from the v6 is amazing and even has cracks when it shifts, it's just amazing.
I used to drive F-150’s. They have gotten so expensive that I searched for something that gave me that feel without that cost. The Passport is roomy with tons of interior space and a large backseat for my very tall family members (6’6” son). I can honestly say that this this is so much fun to drive and WAY more off-road capable than y’all have let on. Maybe try it before you knock it? After your Starbucks of course… wouldn’t want you to spill anything in that beautiful machine.
Kudos for the J series love. It's one of the best V6 engines ever made if you ask me. I'd buy this thing almost solely because of the engine. After years of looking I finally found my dream car, a 2016 Accord Coupe V6 6MT in Still Night Pearl. Simply amazing in every way.
2016 Pilot owner here with 83k miles. The engine’s the best part of the car. Smooth and very responsive. I don’t like the transmission tuning. It’s always shifting for the sake of fuel economy. Steering is numb, but relatively direct. The AWD system is really good. I find it to be a pretty quiet SUV. It eats up miles on the highway. Fuel economy is really decent too. I average around 20 mpg in the Michigan winter. But, it’s really reliable. I recommend to people to buy used and get the version with Honda’s 6 speed auto. The fluid’s much cheaper and the 6 speed is more reliable and less complicated than the 9 speed. No fuel economy benefits with the 9 speed.
Dumb but honest question here…what exactly is meant by that term “eats up miles on the highway”? Is that a mpg related reference or does that mean it’s a comfortable high speed cruiser?
@@Online_ToughGuy Not a dumb question at all my friend. Yup, it’s an excellent highway cruiser. Not much of a difference in interior noise levels between 70-90 mph. Decent fuel economy at those speeds and it has good stability👍🏻
Thank you for the great review! I bought a Passport in 2019 (new) and have been very pleased. I drove it and it sold me. 2 things really impressed me; the V6 and the AWD I-VTM4... it's great! I love it for all the reasons you said... not over creampuff and not overly generic feeling when you drive it... and it has the sense and sensibility with "10-Best" 3.5L V6 that will last. It does what you ask and lets you have some fun! Have never regretted buying one!
Probably the best AWD system and engine in the segment. Absolutely love my Pilot because of those two things and would pick it over pretty much anything else in the segment.
subaru audi dont sound good and arnt reliable. if they put this nat asp v6 rear wheel drive or allwheel drive in civic compact hatch , it owuld be quieter windnoise and more sensible overall package. engine sounds can be made a bit more perfect, and just liek that, itd be the best value for fun and usabbility as a only car. exhusat sound only gets much better at gma t50 lexus lfa ,
We have a 2008 Honda Pilot with 226k miles on it. That J-series engine is absolutely bullet proof. As long as you keep up with oil changes and timing belt changes, this thing is insanely reliable.
My '98 Accord (family owned since day one) still runs like a champ, as my daily. It losses a quart of oil after 6k miles, but that's the time I change the oil anyway. My new Passport is the new weekend getaway vehicle.
Honestly I’d pick this up over the regular passport just for the thicker tires. If you truly want to off road, you can put more aggressive tires and throw some real skid plates on. A real transmission and a reliable, fantastic sounding v6 that will still be going years after the capacitive buttons in the competition have all gone dead? Sounds good to me.
@@666cemetaryslut nah it’s not that bad. Also: the 4Runner is better for off roading, but worse at carrying people. How it manages to be much smaller on inside compared to a passport is beyond me. If anything the passports faux-capabilities are more honest than the millions of people who buy 4Runners as mall crawlers 🤷🏻♂️
I have a 2020 Passport Elite that I bought new in February 2021 (last model year car on the lot-they were really willing to deal to move it). I've put 22,000+ miles on it in 14 months and love it. The interior is very spacious, the controls are pretty straightforward, and I enjoy driving it. My only issue with the Elite model is the 20-inch wheels. I would like to do some light off-roading in the desert (no rock crawling or anything like that), and the 18-inch wheels on the Trail Sport would be better suited for that. Otherwise, I don't regret my purchase at all.
I recently bought a 2024 version of the Trailsport, and what I REALLY like about it, is its old-school feel. Lots of buttons and switches, rather than having to wade through multiple screens to do basic functions. Works for me !
I've owned a lot of cars in the last 25 years, but my 2020 Passport EX-L is my 2nd favorite. It isn't perfect by a long shot, but it does so many things so competently that I can't help but love it. If the Trailsport trim had been available when I got mine 2 years ago, I think I would've gone that way just for the looks.
My aunt had a murano cross cabriolet and it was awesome. It was an amazing “beach” car, totally fun to drive, kinda fast with that VQ and sounds amazing, and truly comfortable. It’s a shame it was a flop because I really like it. Way ahead of its time
Hilarious review with cutting analysis. Can’t quite say why I like this vehicle as much as I do, but these takes help it come into focus a bit. Well done!
My favorite part of this video was the grainy slideshow of a Murano Cross Cabriolet in the wild. There’s a yellow one I see in the Des Moines area from time to time. It’s like seeing a mythical creature
These J series have the BEST intake noise. Loved flooring my dad's old '04 Odyssey, just to hear it, even if it wasn't that fast. I get a kick out of all the real/fake noises my '20 Sonata hybrid makes, but nothing like that old-school V6 growl.
Got a 2020 EXL new, upgraded from a 2017 Si sedan, got tired of shifting after 3 years.. The passport is sporty, fast and reliable. I’ve been having fun with it, even though I had some issues with the infotainment system acting up. Honda fixed it under warranty and it’s been good, no issues so far.
i have a 2015 crv base model with the NA 2.4l i4 and for a small SUV it handles and drives beautifully. with summer tires its a lot of fun, in the winter with winters it handles perfectly on the road. No gimmicks inside, no problems anywhere at 100k
Honsa already stated that the next gen Passport Trailsport will have increased ground clearance and skid plates. They didn’t want to dump money into modifying a platform that they are getting rid of in 2 years.
I briefly looked at the current gen Passport and really liked. However it was a little more than I wanted to spend. Ended up in a turbo CX5, but id much rather have the Honda V6.
Same, also looked at the Pilot and Passport but ended up buying a CX-5. CX-5's interior is far better than the Passport, no doubt. Even better, you pay less and get a lot more features
@@alh06 Not everyone needs more space. A lot of the extra space is width. The Mazda can easily carry four adults, or two and their luggage, which is what most of us need. For people who want three kids in back the Honda is better, but most of us don't need that.
I just got a 2021 Passport EX-L and I love it! This review was spot on. I have never owned a Honda but so far, very impressed with the quality. Not the latest and greatest tech but the seats are very comfy, the infotainment/speakers are just about right, the safety features are not annoying as hell (ie. Mazda CX-5 with the constant beeps and boops) and that engine is very confident. I'll be curious to see if Honda does a redesign in the next couple of years of the interior. I know they did a minor update to the exterior on the 2022. I think the Trailsport will be get some exterior updates (skid plates, higher ground clearance, etc) in future models.
This is the SUV you can still be driving twenty years from now; long after your average 2022 Ford Edge or Chevy Blazer have settled into their permanent parking spots at the local landfill.
I had the first version of the Pilot and 2nd gen Ridgeline. Both fantastic vehicles especially if you were doing long road trips. The first gen Pilot was simply amazing at fitting 5 grown adults comfortably, two being in-laws. The seats were amazingly plush and huge and made the journey incredible. In the Ridgeline it was the same thing, both vehicles I've done over 1200mi trips each way. So many great vehicles of the yester years, and this looks like one of them. No nonsense vehicle that does exactly what it needs to do.
It's been my experience that nothing will get you over that tricky mountain pass quite like orange stitching, and a badge. I can't tell you how many times that stuff has saved my bacon. Honda knows what it really takes to go off road.
Another perfect review. Damn. Normally I'm complaining (because with most of what humans do there's just a lot to legitimately complain about), but here I just am feeling privileged to watch.
As an owner of a j35 accord 6spd auto, that is the number one reason I want a passport or Ridgeline. I love the engine and I love the style being the generation "behind". More than likely I'll end up getting a used one instead of brand new because they'll have changed to something else by then...
Looking forward to test driving one of these, the simplicity and lack of infotainment is exactly why I want it, driving at night in the newer rav4s was insufferable, too many small LEDs everywhere. I have a 1997 honda accord and it is still going strong, and I also have a 1999 GMC sierra pickup, so this will still feel like a generational leap in my case.
If I were shopping for a replacement for my '13 RDX (my first Honda product) I'd seriously consider this. I like the straightforward appearance and, of course, the engine.
1. VTEC!!!!!!!!!!! 2. This thing is amazingly cavernous, it gets it done absolutely no doubt. I can understand where it isn’t the flashiest, I just wish, like he said it’s just a bit expensive, that’s it’s main flaw in my opinion.
I have the Ridgeline and yes, the vtec crossover noises this thing makes is hilarious. Sad times for Honda when an Odyssey sounds better running through the gears than a Civic type R
2021 Passport owner right here; bought it in December. I test drove the only other manufacturer I'd ever consider-Toyota (4Runner and Highlander), because I bought cash. If you are a Honda fan; it's a no brainer, and this vehicle doesn't disappoint. If you're not; I'd strongly suggest a test drive. It's just more fun to drive day in day out, and in all weather-that's the bottom line when you decide on a Passport (or really most Honda's)
@@Rockmachine99 I meant that for the price point it's not great value. The adaptive cruise is very jerky (a $25k Subaru system runs circles around it) and the infotainment feels so dated. I do a lot of road trips and a competent adaptive cruise system is a top criteria for me. I loved how the Passport drives and couldn't live with the archaic tech at that price point.
You hit the nail on the head! We bought a 2021 Passport Touring last year for many of the reasons you both mentioned. Honda quality and durability, a proven normally aspirated V-6 mated to a real 9 speed transmission. Having a spare tire and jack (even in the 2wd models) was an additional bonus. When driving, you feel connected and when you need to put your foot down it responds and sounds great doing it.
I hope it proves reliable, Honda scored horrible with JD Power in regard to dependability. As bad as VW.... ever since Honda moved to turbo motors they have had nothing but issues. I hope Honda can find its way again. Good luck!!
I have one of these, a 2021. It feels huge, but really agile and powerful at the same time. It makes you want to go fast. I used to have a Mercedes S-class that gave that same feeling.
Great review and videography by Thaddeus Bendeleton, and Jaćk Mihoffë as always. However, I was a little disappointed when the boys didn’t hit any Trails in a Sporting fashion, and the lack of interesting topics featured on the infotainment.
Just bought a 2022 ridgeline with this powertrain in it... not gonna lie, that thing hauls ass, and this is 200 lbs lighter. I am loving this powertrain so far!
Exactly. My 06 has 215k going strong. $50k for this? Hell no! Who tf would spend that much for this? This should cost less than $40k fully loaded! The Telluride beat this in just about every way and Kia has proven they can last. I LOVE Honda and have owned 4 of them, but this is ridiculously overpriced.
I honestly like how the reviews are the right amount of video and cover the points without a whole bunch of filler. Intro / Interior / Mechanical / Driving / Final thoughts - Zero Fluff. It's like your professor only wanted you to write the perfect 3-page paper to end the semester.
I have this thing, a 2021 Touring. It really is a blast to drive. It is very sure-footed. And the space inside is no joke. It is huge inside! Everything about the Passport feels big. Big interior, big storage spaces, big steering wheel, big mirrors, big windows, big cargo space, big engine. Big smiles when you have the space to drive it fast. It likes to be driven fast (gets bored in slow traffic). Also big brakes when you want to stop fast. There are a few things I don’t like. I don’t like the gear shift buttons, I’m too used to a regular gear shifter. I don’t like the foot-activated parking brake, I prefer hand brake or electronic brake. And I don’t like that this doesn’t even have the option of a 360 degree camera. This is a big wide SUV and parking it in confined spaces can get tricky, though at least it does have a very good rear camera and front and rear parking sensors (on the Touring and Elite trims).
You buy this for the old school V6, superior AWD system and long term reliability that comes with prior-gen simplicity. If you want more tech, turbo power and better interiors go for Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorrento. If you can spend more and get true offroad cred go Jeep Grand Cherokee
Loved my test drive, but my wife was "niminiminiminininimininin too much like the Odyssey you made me drive for 15 years miniminiminimin ." I loved our Odyssey, too.
Been trying to decide between this or a CX-9. Don’t really need the 3rd row but nice to have and price wise they are similar. The V6 and torque vectoring awd is the big selling point here. The downside is the interior and since my wife has a CX-5 turbo I love Mazda interiors and handling.
Too bad the Mazda CX-90 isn't right around the corner for you to throw in the mix. The CX-50 looks pretty nice for those looking for something tougher and more spacious from Mazda than the CX-5, and the CX-90 will be a bigger version.
I really like the Passport. I just wish for the Trail Sport that they would’ve done more then add stickers and badges. Lifting it just slightly, adding skit plates and adding a more aggressive drive modes would make it more appealing. Truthfully the Subaru Wilderness packages are better. But hopefully they’ll do that for the next generation.
We pick up our 2023 Passport Trailsport this week…after putting hundreds of thousands of trouble free kms on our Odyssey (before it was totalled) we are looking forward to the same with this albeit with a 2 row.
My 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T has been great, very sporty and quick, but I've had to put three turbos in it and many other problems as it has aged. I just don't want to invest in another Korean car until I try this Honda. I don't need flashy, I don't want a SUV that drives like a truck, I'd rather get the Elite model, put some nice rims and tires (or opt for the Black Edition) and I don't need or would want a third row, so this fits the bill for me. I want to get a boat, so the 5000lbs of towing capacity is attractive to me. I was considering the Acura MDX, but don't want that third row and I don't need to prove to anyone I can afford a luxury car. I haul stuff too, so this one is perfect for me. I didn't expect them to give it such a positive review, but they nailed it and confirmed this car is what I am looking for. And for me, there aren't many other choices to choose from for my needs. Was considering the Sorento and the GV70 too. Also, like they said the Toyotas (Tacoma and 4Runner) looks like they are generations behind and they know people don't buy them for their tech, but their reliability.
