The Honda Passport originated in 1993, was discontinued after the 1998 model year, and was revived in 2019 as a two-row midsize SUV. It remains in Honda’s lineup today.
Two eras in the Passport story
To understand what happened to the Passport, it helps to look at its two distinct chapters: the original 1990s model and the modern revival that began in 2019.
Original Passport (1993–1998)
The first-generation Passport arrived in the mid-1990s as a rugged, two-door SUV based on the Isuzu Rodeo platform. It was marketed in North America as a small, capable off-roader with a badge that signaled adventure but struggled to match the sales pace of Honda’s growing SUV family. Honda discontinued the original Passport after the 1998 model year, shifting its SUV focus toward the larger Pilot family.
Revival and current model (2019–present)
Honda revived the Passport for the 2019 model year, reintroducing the nameplate as a two-row midsize SUV that sits on the Pilot’s shared underpinnings. The revived Passport emphasizes cargo space, comfortable everyday driving, and weekend versatility, with a V6 engine and available all-wheel drive. It complements Honda’s CR-V and Pilot by offering more space than the CR-V while avoiding the third row found in the Pilot.
Current positioning and features
Today’s Passport sits between the smaller CR-V and the three-row Pilot in Honda’s SUV lineup. It targets buyers who want practical interior space and capable highway manners without the extra seating of a true three-row SUV. The model is built on the Pilot platform, delivering familiar reliability and a balance of everyday usability with light off-road capability for weekend trips.
The following highlights describe the modern Passport’s core characteristics:
- Built on the Honda Pilot platform, sharing components and engineering.
- Equipped with a V6 engine paired with an automatic transmission.
- Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for varied driving conditions.
- Two-row seating with generous cargo space relative to many two-row rivals.
Taken together, these elements help explain why the Passport has maintained a niche appeal within Honda’s lineup: it offers a practical, roomy interior without the third row, a pattern that appeals to families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
What the future holds for the Passport
As of the mid-2020s, Honda has continued to offer the Passport as a regular part of its SUV family, without official plans to discontinue the model in the near term. The Passport competes in a crowded segment with models from other brands that also emphasize space and versatility, and it benefits from Honda’s broader electrification and product-refresh strategy. While electrified options and a shifting SUV lineup will influence Honda’s overall plan, the Passport remains a current, available model for buyers who want a two-row midsize SUV built on proven Honda engineering.
Summary of the Passport’s arc
The Passport’s journey moves from a short-lived 1990s two-door SUV to a successful revival as a practical, two-row midsize SUV beginning in 2019. It remains in production today, occupying a middle ground between the smaller CR-V and the larger Pilot, prized for its cargo space, comfortable ride, and weekend-capable utility without committing to a third row.