Flash Drive

2022 Honda Passport TrailSport

June 8, 2022 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2022 Honda Passport AWD TrailSport

The new 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport AWD has a updated more rugged looking exterior to match its already strong off-road skill set.

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft torque

Transmission: 9-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 19-mpg city, 24-mpg highway, 21-mpg combined

Base Price: $42,470

As Tested: $44,090

Performance:

Strong V-6 engine

Good acceleration

Smooth shifting 9-speed automatic

The spacious Passport interior is unchanged except for some TrailSport specific trim.

Sport mode makes a nice improvement

Hill Start Assist

Active noise cancellation

Variable Torque Management AWD system

Rugged off-road capabilities

Traction management: snow, sand, mud

Idle stop

Strong four-wheel disc brakes

Ground clearance is 8.1-inches

Can tow up to 5000 pounds

The 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport is a comfortable road vehicle as well as an off-road adventurer.

Comfort:

Ample front row legroom

Nice, medium thick leather steering wheel

Comfortable heated front seats

Distinctive TrailSport theme carried through interior

Large rear doors

Flat floor back seat

Pullup window shades

Roomy back seat

The Passport steering wheel is very comfortable and equipped with very good auxiliary controls.

Adults can fit in middle

Utility:

Large, deep, wide cargo area

Flat floor

Great, full-width bonus storage under floor

No lift-over

Split folding rear seats fold flat

Controls for folding seats at hatch

Large, deep console bin

Medium size locking glovebox

Making tracks and kicking up dust on dirt roads is a lot of fun in a Honda TrailSport.

WOW Factors:

Spacious, comfortable interior

Smooth, pleasant highway ride

Strong and rugged off-road

Excellent torque vectoring rear axle

Whines:

Still don’t like the odd transmission button setup

No actual suspension lift or skid plates

Trail cameras would be nice for a TrailSport vehicle

Bottom Line:

Typical of the many welcome Passport interior features in this extra storage shelf on the front doors.

The 2022 Honda Passport AWD TrailSport is the first Honda to fall under the new TrailSport banner with which Honda aims to highlight the off-road capabilities of its vehicles. The styling is much more rugged (which seems to be almost as important to SUV buyers as actual performance) notably with the bumpers, hood, and grille. The vehicle track has been slightly widened via special greater offset wheels and tires with more aggressive shoulder tread design. Regardless of any “rugged” exterior changes the 2022 Honda Passport remains an excellent all-around, family-friendly, mid-size SUV regardless of whether you drive on paved or dirt roads.