What the 2018 Honda Passport is and where it fits

The 2018 Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV that Honda brought back after a 17-year gap — the original Passport ended production in 2002. The 2018 model sits between Honda's smaller CR-V and the larger Pilot, designed to appeal to buyers who want a body-on-frame SUV rather than a unibody crossover. It shares its platform and engine with the Ridgeline pickup truck, which means it has genuine off-road capability and a towing capacity that crossovers cannot match.

Honda offered the Passport in a single generation from 2018 through 2024 with gradual updates. The 2018 model year was the debut, so it had no direct predecessor to compare against — but it did represent Honda's return to a vehicle type it had abandoned. Understanding what came in the 2018 model and how it was equipped helps you decide whether a used 2018 Passport meets your needs or whether a different year or trim level would be a better fit.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2018 Passport uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
  • Honda offered three trim levels in 2018: Sport, EX, and EX-L, with EX-L adding leather, a power moonroof, and navigation as standard.
  • The 2018 model came with Honda Sensing safety features as standard across all trims, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping information.
  • Towing capacity for the 2018 Passport is 5,000 pounds, and payload capacity is 1,500 pounds, making it capable for moderate towing and hauling.
  • The 2018 model year had no significant changes from 2019 onward in its first generation, so early Passports are mechanically similar to later years in the same generation.

Engine, transmission, and drivetrain specs for 2018

The 2018 Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine is the same one used in the Honda Ridgeline and Pilot, so parts availability and service costs are straightforward. The engine pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels as standard — there is no front-wheel-drive option for the Passport.

All-wheel drive is standard, not optional, which means every 2018 Passport has the same drivetrain. The system includes a two-speed transfer case that allows you to shift between Normal and Low range, a feature that gives the Passport genuine off-road capability compared to most crossovers. Fuel economy for the 2018 Passport is rated at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway by the EPA, with an estimated combined rating of 21 mpg.

The 2018 model does not have a hybrid option, and Honda did not offer a diesel engine for the Passport in any year of its first generation. If fuel economy is your primary concern, the Passport is heavier and less efficient than the CR-V, though it offers more towing and off-road capability in return.

Trim levels and standard equipment in 2018

Honda offered the 2018 Passport in three trim levels: Sport, EX, and EX-L. The Sport is the base model and includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a rearview camera. All three trims come with Honda Sensing safety features as standard, which is unusual for a base trim and reflects Honda's commitment to making collision avoidance technology available across the lineup.

The EX trim adds heated front seats, a power moonroof, a 7-inch touchscreen (larger than Sport), and a power liftgate. The EX-L is the top trim and includes leather upholstery, a navigation system integrated into the infotainment display, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, and a hands-free power tailgate. The EX-L also adds a premium audio system with 10 speakers compared to the 6-speaker system in lower trims.

Optional packages for 2018 include all-terrain tires, a roof rack system, and a towing package that includes a trailer hitch and wiring harness. The towing package is not required to tow — the Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds without it — but the package makes the process more convenient and adds integrated trailer brake controls.

Honda Sensing safety features standard on all 2018 models

Every 2018 Passport comes with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-information and collision-avoidance technologies. This includes adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead; lane-keeping information, which gently corrects steering if you drift out of your lane; and collision mitigation braking, which applies the brakes if a frontal collision is imminent. The system also includes road departure mitigation, which alerts you if you are drifting toward the edge of the road.

Additional safety features include a rearview camera (standard on all trims), blind-spot monitoring (standard on EX and EX-L), and rear cross-traffic alert (standard on EX and EX-L). The 2018 Passport received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in frontal crash and rollover categories and four stars in side crash.

Honda Sensing cannot be removed or downgraded on any 2018 Passport trim, so you are getting the same core safety technology whether you buy a Sport or an EX-L. This is different from some competitors, where advanced safety features are optional or limited to higher trims.

Towing and payload capacity

The 2018 Passport has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds. These numbers are respectable for a mid-size SUV but lower than the Ridgeline pickup, which can tow 5,000 pounds as well but has a higher payload. The towing capacity assumes you are using the correct hitch class (Class III for 5,000 pounds) and that the vehicle is within its gross vehicle weight rating.

If you plan to tow a trailer regularly, confirm that your trailer's dry weight plus cargo stays under 5,000 pounds, and factor in the weight of the hitch and any cargo you carry in the Passport itself. The payload capacity of 1,500 pounds is the maximum weight you can add to the vehicle — passengers, cargo, and any aftermarket equipment — without exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating. In practice, this means you can carry a few passengers plus moderate cargo, but not a full load of both.

The 2018 Passport does not have an integrated trailer brake controller, but one can be added as an aftermarket accessory or included in the factory towing package. If you are towing a trailer heavier than 1,000 pounds, a trailer brake controller is strongly recommended to reduce wear on the Passport's brakes.

Interior space and cargo dimensions

The 2018 Passport offers 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This is less than the Pilot (which offers 83.9 cubic feet with seats folded) but more than the CR-V (76.5 cubic feet with seats folded — the same as the Passport). The cargo area is tall and boxy due to the body-on-frame design, which makes it easier to load large items like plywood or camping gear compared to a sloped crossover.

The Passport seats five passengers across three rows — two in front and three in the rear. The rear seats are a 60/40 split, so you can fold one side down while keeping the other up for a combination of cargo and passenger space. The second-row seats do not slide or recline, which is a limitation compared to some competitors. Headroom and legroom are generous throughout, and the high seating position gives you a commanding view of the road.

What changed from 2018 to 2019 and later years

The 2018 Passport was the first model year of its generation, and Honda made only minor updates in subsequent years. The 2019 model added a new Trailsport trim level focused on off-road capability, but the base Sport, EX, and EX-L trims remained largely unchanged. Engine output, transmission, and drivetrain stayed the same across the first generation from 2018 through 2024.

In 2022, Honda updated the infotainment system to include a larger touchscreen on higher trims and added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2022 model year also introduced a new Trailsport trim with all-terrain tires and skid plates as standard. If you are comparing a 2018 to a newer Passport, the main differences are in the infotainment interface and the availability of the Trailsport trim — the core vehicle is mechanically very similar.

Used 2018 Passports are now several years old, so when shopping, focus on mileage, service history, and whether the vehicle has been used for off-roading or towing. A well-maintained 2018 with moderate mileage will perform the same as a 2019 or 2020 model in most respects, though you may want the updated infotainment system if that matters to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2018 Passport have a third row of seats?

No, the 2018 Passport seats five passengers in two rows only — two in front and three in the rear. If you need a third row, the Honda Pilot is the next size up and offers seating for up to eight passengers across three rows.

Can you get the 2018 Passport in two-wheel drive?

No, all-wheel drive is standard and mandatory on every 2018 Passport. There is no front-wheel-drive option available for any trim level.

What is the difference between the 2018 Sport and EX trims?

The EX adds a power moonroof, heated front seats, a larger 7-inch touchscreen, and a power liftgate. The Sport has a smaller 5-inch touchscreen and no moonroof or heated seats. Both have the same engine, transmission, and safety features.

How much does a 2018 Passport cost used?

Used 2018 Passport prices vary widely based on mileage, condition, and local market. Check recent listings on Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides for your area to see what dealers and private sellers are asking for comparable vehicles.

Is the 2018 Passport good for off-roading?

Yes, the 2018 Passport has a two-speed transfer case with Low range, all-terrain tire options, and a body-on-frame design that makes it more capable off-road than most crossovers. However, it is not as extreme as a Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner — it is better described as a capable SUV for light to moderate off-road use.