What the 2023 Honda Passport is and how it differs from 2022
The 2023 Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV built on the same platform as the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. It seats five, comes standard with all-wheel drive, and is designed for both highway driving and light off-road use. The 2023 model year made no major changes to the engine, transmission, or frame — the real differences are in trim levels, standard equipment, and pricing compared to 2022.
Honda discontinued the base EX trim for 2023, meaning the entry point is now the EX-L. The Trailsport trim, which focuses on off-road styling and capability, carries over from 2022. The Sport Touring trim was added as a new option for 2023, positioned between the EX-L and Trailsport. These changes affect what features come standard and what you pay, but the engine and drivetrain remain the same as the previous year.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Passport uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission, unchanged from 2022.
- All-wheel drive is standard on every 2023 Passport trim; there is no front-wheel-drive option.
- The EX trim was dropped for 2023, so the cheapest new Passport is now the EX-L, which includes leather seats and a power liftgate as standard.
- The new Sport Touring trim adds a power moonroof, heated front seats, and a premium audio system compared to the EX-L.
- The Trailsport trim includes all-terrain tires, skid plates, and all-wheel-drive tuning designed for off-road driving.
Engine, transmission, and fuel economy
The 2023 Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine used in the 2022 model and in the Honda Ridgeline. Power goes to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode if you want to control gear selection yourself.
Fuel economy is rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city, 26 on the highway, and 23 combined by the EPA. These numbers do not change between trim levels because the engine and transmission are identical across the lineup. Real-world fuel economy varies based on driving habits, terrain, and how much weight you carry, but most owners report results close to the EPA estimates.
The Passport uses regular unleaded gasoline and has a 19.5-gallon fuel tank. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is lower than the Ridgeline but sufficient for small trailers and jet skis.
2023 trim levels and standard features
Honda offers three trims for the 2023 Passport: EX-L, Sport Touring, and Trailsport. The EX-L is the base model and includes leather-trimmed seats, a power liftgate, a power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-information features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, and collision mitigation braking.
The Sport Touring trim adds heated front seats, a premium 12-speaker audio system, a larger 9-inch touchscreen, and wireless phone charging. It also includes a hands-free power tailgate and upgraded interior trim. The Sport Touring sits between the EX-L and Trailsport in price.
The Trailsport trim is built for off-road driving and includes all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, a locking rear differential, and all-wheel-drive tuning that raises ground clearance slightly. It has a unique exterior design with a roof rack, different bumpers, and Trailsport badging. Inside, it uses cloth seats instead of leather and omits some luxury features like the power moonroof, making it lighter and more rugged than the other trims.
All-wheel drive and off-road capability
All-wheel drive is standard on every 2023 Passport — there is no front-wheel-drive option. The system sends power to all four wheels automatically and includes a multi-mode all-wheel-drive system that lets you choose between Normal, Snow, and Mud modes using a dial on the dashboard. In Normal mode, the system favors front-wheel drive for fuel economy. Snow mode adjusts throttle response and traction control for slippery surfaces. Mud mode increases wheel slip tolerance for softer terrain.
The Trailsport trim goes further with a locking rear differential, which forces both rear wheels to turn at the same speed for maximum traction when one wheel loses grip. This feature is useful for rock crawling and steep hill climbs but is not available on the EX-L or Sport Touring. Ground clearance is 8.6 inches on the EX-L and Sport Touring, and 8.8 inches on the Trailsport.
The Passport is not a full-size truck and is not designed for extreme off-roading, but it handles forest roads, rocky trails, and beach driving better than a typical crossover SUV. Most owners use the all-wheel-drive system for winter driving and occasional weekend trails rather than serious rock crawling.
Interior space and seating
The Passport seats five people across two rows. The front seats are spacious and comfortable on long drives, with good lumbar support on the EX-L and Sport Touring thanks to their leather construction. The rear bench seat fits three passengers but is most comfortable with two, as the middle seat is narrow. Rear legroom is adequate for adults on short trips but tight on long drives.
Cargo space behind the rear seats is 39.3 cubic feet, which is smaller than a full-size SUV but larger than most crossovers. If you fold the rear seats flat, cargo space expands to 76.5 cubic feet. The power liftgate on the EX-L and Sport Touring makes loading easier, especially when your hands are full or you are in a tight parking space.
Interior materials vary by trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring use leather-trimmed seats and soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and door panels. The Trailsport uses cloth seats and harder plastics designed to be easier to clean after muddy adventures. All trims include a 12-volt power outlet and USB ports for charging devices.
Technology and safety features
Every 2023 Passport comes with Honda Sensing, a standard suite of driver-information features. This includes adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance from the car ahead; lane-keeping information, which gently steers you back into your lane if you drift; and collision mitigation braking, which can explore the brakes if a collision is imminent. It also includes road departure mitigation, which alerts you if you are drifting off the road unintentionally.
The infotainment system uses an eight-inch touchscreen on the EX-L and a nine-inch screen on the Sport Touring and Trailsport. All screens support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. The EX-L and Sport Touring include a backup camera as standard; the Trailsport adds a multi-angle camera system that shows a bird's-eye view of the vehicle, useful when navigating tight trails or parking in narrow spaces.
The Passport received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in testing, with strong marks in frontal crash and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not published crash test results for the Passport, so check their website if you want independent safety data beyond the government ratings.
Pricing and what changed from 2022
The 2023 Passport pricing starts at the EX-L trim, which costs more than the 2022 base EX did because Honda removed the cheaper option. The Sport Touring sits in the middle of the lineup, and the Trailsport is the most expensive. Exact prices vary by location and dealer, so contact a Honda dealer in your area for current quotes.
The main change from 2022 is the removal of the EX trim, which means buyers can no longer get a base Passport without leather seats and a power liftgate. The new Sport Touring trim gives buyers a middle option between the EX-L and Trailsport. The Trailsport trim carries over largely unchanged, though Honda may have adjusted pricing to reflect market conditions.
If you are comparing 2023 and 2022 models, the engine, transmission, and overall design are identical. The choice between model years comes down to trim availability, feature preferences, and dealer inventory. A 2022 EX might still be available at some dealers and could be cheaper than a 2023 EX-L if you do not need leather seats or a power liftgate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a 2023 Passport with front-wheel drive?
No. All-wheel drive is standard and mandatory on every 2023 Passport trim. Honda does not offer a front-wheel-drive version. If you want better fuel economy and do not need all-wheel drive, consider the Honda CR-V, which is available with front-wheel drive and gets better gas mileage.
What is the difference between the Sport Touring and Trailsport?
The Sport Touring is designed for comfort and technology, with leather seats, a power moonroof, and a premium audio system. The Trailsport is designed for off-road driving, with all-terrain tires, skid plates, a locking rear differential, and cloth seats. Choose Sport Touring if you want luxury features; choose Trailsport if you plan to drive on rough terrain regularly.
How much can the 2023 Passport tow?
The Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped with a trailer hitch and brake controller. This is enough for small boats, jet skis, and utility trailers but less than full-size trucks. Check your owner's manual for the exact setup required and any weight distribution hitch recommendations.
Is the 2023 Passport good for off-roading?
The Passport is capable on light to moderate trails, especially the Trailsport trim with its locking rear differential and all-terrain tires. It is not designed for extreme rock crawling or deep water fording. Most owners use it for forest roads, beach driving, and weekend adventures rather than serious off-road expeditions.
What is the difference between the 2023 and 2022 Passport?
The engine, transmission, and chassis are identical. The main difference is that the 2022 base EX trim was removed, so the 2023 entry point is the EX-L. A new Sport Touring trim was added for 2023. If you find a 2022 EX still in inventory, it may be cheaper than a 2023 EX-L with the same features.