The Honda Passport continues to get better. This midsize SUV slots between the CR-V and Pilot with a rugged off-road approach. When you don’t need a third-row seat, the Honda Passport from 2022 could be an excellent choice. Of course, there are also some reasons to avoid driving this SUV. Let’s consider both sides.

The TrailSport trim enters the 2022 Honda Passport lineup

This new model of the Passport looks more athletic and outdoorsy than before. These updated styling features put the Passport ahead of other midsize SUVs. Honda adds the TrailSport trim to the mix, offering an off-road and rugged Honda SUV where there previously were none.

A spirited V6 engine provides the power

Choose the 2022 Honda Passport, and you’ll find the same powertrain used in the larger Pilot SUV and Ridgeline pickup truck. Because the Passport is the smallest Honda vehicle using this powertrain, it can make the most of the power. The V6 powertrain gives you a 3.5-liter engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission to return 280 horsepower and 262 lb-t of torque.

The 2022 Honda Passport has more cargo room than the Subaru Outback

If you’re trying to decide between these two off-road SUVs, the Passport gives you more cargo room for your wilderness adventures. The Passport offers 41.2 cubic feet behind the second row compared to 32.5 cubic feet for the Outback. With the seats folded, you’ll have 77.9 cubic feet in the Honda SUV and 75.7 cubic feet in the Subaru model.

Honda could have put better brakes on this Midsize SUV

Brake hard in the Passport, and you’ll find a squishy feeling, and the vehicle will nosedive, making it feel like you’re being tossed over the steering wheel. This is not the feeling you want when stopping your SUV. Even if you brake normally, the squishy feeling is present in this Honda SUV.

The load height can be problematic in the 2022 Honda Passport

If you look at this SUV as an off-road vehicle, the higher ground clearance is desirable, which translates to a higher position to load your gear into the vehicle. This higher load height makes it difficult for short passengers and when you need to load heavy items into the cargo area.

Average fuel economy results

The AWD version of the 2022 Honda Passport returns 19 city/24 hwy mpg. Some pickup trucks offer better results than this, putting this midsize SUV far behind. The FWD model does a little better, but still not quite as good as you might expect. For comparison, the 2022 Subaru Outback offers 26 city/33 hwy mpg, and the Outback comes with standard AWD.

How much should a 2022 Honda Passport cost?

There are three trim levels for the Honda Passport from 2022. The base model is the EX-L in FWD, which starts at $37,870. Add AWD to the base version, and you’ll pay $39,970. Move to the new TrailSport trim, and the price increase to $42,470, while the top Elite model starts at $45,430. Both of the higher two trims come with standard AWD.

Next, check out some fuel-efficient small SUVs, or learn more about the 2022 Honda Passport in this video below: