Oppoinions on the new Passport

"JustAnotherG6" (bcabrington)
07/15/2020 at 11:57 • Filed to: Honda, Passport please, eww SUV

My wife wants to test drive one tonight. Has anyone driven one? What sort of things should I look for/do you want to know about?

DISCUSSION (45)

Grindintosecond > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:06

Is it a CR-V?...It looks like it does the same job as a CR-V....or is it a RAV-4? Is it a Nissan Rogue?. I think its all of them.

lone_liberal > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:06

I was thinking about buying one but the Honda dealer was so terrible I changed my mind. To give you an idea, I didn’t get to test drive it because their shipment of Passports were all out getting aftermarket window tint installed.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Grindintosecond
07/15/2020 at 12:12

It’s betwe en the CR-V and Pilot, in fact it’s just a shortened Pilot without a 3rd row.

camarov6rs > Grindintosecond
07/15/2020 at 12:12

Bigger. Pilot without the third row and more trunk space.

JustAnotherG6 > Grindintosecond
07/15/2020 at 12:13

I’ll get back to you.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:15

You can read my review- https://oppositelock.kinja.com/2019-honda-passport-test-drive-review-1833361393

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:15

Kinja'd!!!

But I mean... I’d say that about 90% of the vehicles in that class. Or 90% of vehicles. I’m sure it is fine, but Honda certainly seems to have lost its way in recent years. Horrible paint, plastic, and interior quality mixed with scammy dealers.... meh. I’d be sure to cross-shop with whatever equivalent Kia, Hyundai, and Mazda have.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:19

The Passport has been a surprisingly slow seller, clearly for a reason in such a hot segment. I wouldn’t really look to that brand at all in recent years, since pretty much only the Civic and Accord have been reviewed well. Their CUVs don’t seem to have been reviewed well.

Ermahgerd! > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:19

Looks decent enough, but anonymous and dull. Perfect for that segment.

HammerheadFistpunch > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:20

It seems to be the happy medium between a crossover and something mildly useful for adventure.

The 9 speed isn’t the Honda unit which...I mean it hasn’t been a great transmission so far but most people don’t complain it in this application. The nice thing is that it gives you a legit 1st gear low that is pretty usable.

Everything else is typical Honda. One thing to check out would be the condition of the fluid on the RDM (rear drive module) as it has a semi-regular change interval that isn’t huge and its really sensitive to abuse.

HammerheadFistpunch > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:21

This is a fun channel to explore how far you can push these

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp4229KnkoC3zrrLBL362BA

JustAnotherG6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/15/2020 at 12:22

Kia is a no go. My wife has a distinct hatred of those based on an experience with a rental 15+ yrs. ago.

We have friends with a Hyundai Santa Fe and its... okay. I guess.

Test drove a CX-5 yesterday, neither of us were overly impressed by it or the fact that the dealer didn’t have a CX-9 ready for us as we requested at our appointment time.

JustAnotherG6 > lone_liberal
07/15/2020 at 12:22

That sucks. I hope we have a better experience.

CompactLuxuryFan > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:27

By all accounts the Telluride is better than a Hondas but I kinda like the Passport. It’s probably the most advanced AWD system in its class since it’s just the SH-AWD from an MDX. So that’s kinda fun.

JustAnotherG6 > HammerheadFistpunch
07/15/2020 at 12:30

If we go with this, that is good to know.

AdamB > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:30

My mom test drove one last week. It’s not something super exciting but there’s nothing wrong with it. V6 makes more than enough power, interior was comfortable and massive inside. Also the cargo area is huge. Plenty of storage throughout. It has one of the new push button shifters which she got used to right away. She test drive the Elite and loved it. Also it is pretty high if you’re looking for that. Compared to other vehicles in the segment (Blazer, Sante Fe, Murano, Edge, and maybe Grand Cherokee) it seems to win every review I’ve seen. They don’t seem to be selling so well so depending on location you can find some pretty good discounts. Many places still have 2019s.

JustAnotherG6 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
07/15/2020 at 12:31

Nice write up. That is about what I expect TBH.

JustAnotherG6 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/15/2020 at 12:31

Probably why you can lease them for less than $400 a month.

Cash Rewards > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:33

We have a pilot, which is basically a longer on of these (or this is a shorter one of those....), and its good. Wife loves it. 37000 and no issues yet

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:38

But should you? What does she drive now?

JustAnotherG6 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/15/2020 at 12:45

2012 VW Routan. 98,xxx miles. All put on by us. She is tired of minivan life and with the kids getting older, is reassessing how necessary the 3rd row is.

MrSnrub > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:47

Haven’t driven one but I know Consumer Reports gave it the lowest reliability rating possible - kind of shocking for a Honda. Probably something they’ll straighten out soon enough, but still, food for thought.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:53

It kind of depends on her priorities, but moving out of the minivan into a 5 seater opens up tons of fun and practical options.

Does she want command seating? Does she want a comfortable ri de? Does she want sportiness? Is she dead set on a brand new car?

A CPO Kia Stinger would be a great balance I think but if you want new, I'd look to maybe a Hyundai Kona. Much smaller but they are fun and cool and still can carry loads of crap.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 12:54

I considered buying one last year, and I have opinions.

In summary, the brakes were weak, and both my wife and I found the passenger’s seat to be surprisingly uncomfortable. Those issues outweighed what otherwise appears to be a nice, if wide, vehicle, with what should be a great AWD system.

Oh, and the wheels were too large, with tiny tire sidewalls, for rough road applications, so I would have wanted to change those out, resulting in extra cost.

We ended up buying a 2020 Outback, which also handled better (tested both through the same curves, could comfortably run the Outback at 45, Passport at 38 mph). I’m interested to know what you think of the Passport!

P.S. I forgot about the push-button shifter . . . I was prepared to live with that, but didn’t like it.

JustAnotherG6 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/15/2020 at 13:02

She is looking to keep as much cargo as possible. We are getting into dog fostering so we need to be able to move a moderately sized kennel and we do a fair amount of camping / road trips. She likes the command seating and is looking for something that looks offroady. Has had her eye on Outbacks for a while and is open to a Forester as well. Though the kids are opposed to the Outback due to the lack of leg room in the second row.

Anything KIA is DOA, I would go for a Stinger myself.

I think the Kona may be a touch smaller than we are looking for.

JustAnotherG6 > CompactLuxuryFan
07/15/2020 at 13:07

Also harder to find a Telluride let alone get one for less than MSRP.

Mid Engine > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:08

Honda automatic transmissions are questionable, had three of ‘ em in my Acura. For that reason alone I avoid Honda products, add in the lousy braking and it’s a solid no.

JustAnotherG6 > MrSnrub
07/15/2020 at 13:10

Perhaps i’m just being curmudgeony but I really don’t put much stock in Consumer Reports. Either that or having driven nearly 200 k on FCA products has warped my sensibilities.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:11

The Forester was practically made for her and the many other people with those same priorities. My aunt has one and she loves it. The orange accent colors are also surprisingly well done on hers. I would highly advise one.

So, Forester, Outback, Alltrack, TourX, all have that rugged practicality you are looking for. That is a hot market right now though so deals are hard to come by. I think the Passport is just not quite it.

They aren’t too expensive and have great new or CPO options.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:21

My opinion? It’s another CUV... in this case, it’s one that is slotted between the CRV and the Pilot.

If you want a CUV from Honda with a V6, then this is likely your cheapest/smallest option.

JustAnotherG6 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/15/2020 at 13:24

She does not care for the Orange accent... a little paint will fix that though.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:30

Hyundai Tucson or its Kia relative, considering they are the same vehicle underneath practically?

Roadkilled > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:32

Consumer Reports has a split view. The “F” part falls at the bottom of their list. They rank Fiat as dead last for reliability. However, they put Dodge as just slightly above average and Chrysler a little bit higher than that.

I do see some problems with CR’s ratings. First, the 2020 Passport is too new to have enough data. That may skew the ratings based on a limited number of resp onses. Second, CR’s subscribers are not necessarily representative of the general public. I don’t think the FCA products would appeal to what I think of as the stereotypical CR subscriber .

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:35

Oh sorry I missed my Oppo moment: CLEARLY THE CORRECT CHOICE IS THE STELVIO! In all honesty, l ightly used models can be had for shockingly cheap. Might even be able to find a good deal on a new one. Will it be as reliable as a Passport? Probably not. But 1x10^16 sexier.

avalonian > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 13:42

You could also try the VW Atlas. Those are awesome value and have really good warranty and cargo room, that would be a better alternative to this, had a VW customer who bought the atlas because she does dog things and really enjoyed the interior room . Also, the 4runner is pretty great. And if you’re feeling fancy Mercedes Benz GLS lol.

JustAnotherG6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/15/2020 at 14:28

Oddly enough, I menti on ed the Stelvio to her last night. She asked “why not just go straight to a Maseratti?” (pretty sure both are off the table, but I’ll look at used ones)

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 14:59

That’s only one trim level of the Forester (the Sport) that has the orange trim.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 15:20

I feel like I was seeing non-Quad 2018/2019 Stelvios in the low $30k range, which is apparently the MSRP of a Passport. This was before the used car market got crazy, so take that with a grain of salt.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/15/2020 at 16:19

Well they have the CRV which is all over the place and people might just get another one. I drive by the Honda dealer a lot, I had a CRV, I would probably want this Passport over the CRV they have currently. I saw it yesterday up on the dealer platform on the corner. I decided to buy my wagon instead since I drive on a road, but if I wanted another mid size SUV I would try the RAV and that. I did drive the RAV before it was on sale actually because we built the Toyota auto show booth and installed it, but only for about fifty yards very slowly.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > JustAnotherG6
07/15/2020 at 16:27

That could be the only car in the parking lot and I still wouldn't be able to tell which car was mine. Barf.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
07/15/2020 at 16:42

The new CR-V is good but doesn't fit into that adventure aesthetic she wants. The RAV4 is a better looking vehicle and I like it more.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/15/2020 at 16:45

The Toyota is probably better for slightly more dramatic uses in the adventure trim whatever it is , but it does seem like everyone is pretty focused on aesthetics, that’s how we get mall crawlers eating gas for no reason.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
07/15/2020 at 16:53

And how we have 2wd Tacoma s having the same lift and tires as the 4wd ones. I don't understand it but at least we used to not jack up the 2wds.

JustAnotherG6 > Grindintosecond
07/16/2020 at 09:01

I can confirm that it is not, in fact, a CR-V. A bit more second row leg room (good since my 14 yr old is pushing 6') and considerably more cargo room than those mentioned.

JustAnotherG6 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/16/2020 at 09:04

Agreed, the RAv-4 does look better than the CR-V.