Honda today announced that the 2022 Passport will start at US$ 39,095, including a US$ 1,225 destination fee, for the entry-level EX-L trim. That’s a hefty US$ 5,080 increase over the 2021 model that started from US$ 34,015, but there’s an explanation for that. You see, the previous Passport was offered in four trims, the US$ 34,015 Sport, the US$ 38,035 EX-L, the US$ 40,905 Touring, and the US$ 45,405 Elite. For 2022, beyond the cosmetic facelift, the Passport drops the Sport trim with the range starting from the formerly mid-range EX-L that costs US$ 1,060 more than before. Honda has also dropped last year’s Touring while adding a new TrailSport model to the lineup that starts at US$ 46,665, and carrying over the Elite model.
The 2022 Honda Passport’s now base EX-L
comes with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an
option. The rest of the model range gets AWD as standard. The EX-L offers
plenty of kit as standard, including 20-inch alloys, leather seating, a
one-touch power moonroof, a power tailgate, parking sensors, and more. Inside,
it gets heated front seats, an 8-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone
charging, remote engine start, and more. Honda has restyled the Passport lineup
for 2022. Entirely new from the A-pillar forward, the Passport’s hood is more
sculpted and features a pronounced power bulge. The squared-off nose and
upright grille also add to the off-road look, as do the revised front fenders.
The updates aren’t just limited to the
front, though. The rear end also gets a new, more aggressive rear bumper that
features cutouts for larger twin exhaust outlets, a tow hitch cover, and a skid
garnish design. Power comes from a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 280
hp, which it sends to the wheels via a nine-speed automatic
transmission. The AWD models get Honda’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system that it
claims will expand its off-road capabilities.
A four-mode traction management function
allows drivers to customize the i-VTM4 system for different terrains, including
sand, snow, mud, and paved roads. Model’s equipped with it also get 2,268 kg of towing capacity. Independent front and rear suspension give the
Passport 206 mm of ground clearance. At the top of the lineup, the
Passport Elite starts from US$ 46,665 and features AWD, unique 20-inch alloy
wheels, hands-free access power tailgate, heated seats front and rear, as well
as ventilated front seats.
New to the lineup is the Passport
TrailSport, priced from US$ 43,695. It is even more rugged than the rest of the
lineup thanks to a 10mm increase in track width. It comes with 18-inch wheels
with a unique design and its 245/60R18 tires get sidewall tread to complete the
look. The TrailSport also gets a unique grille, more aggressive bumpers front
and rear, and silver-painted skid plates. Orange TrailSport badges on the
grille and tailgate help mark it out, while the Passport and AWD badges are finished
in gloss black instead of chrome.
Inside, it comes with orange contrast
stitching on the steering wheel, door panels, and seats, and even the interior
lighting is amber. The TrailSport logo is embroidered on the front seat
headrests and molded into the rubber floor mats. Power folding mirrors are
intended to help on tight trails and a heated windshield wiper parking area
should help adventurers in colder climes. Honda says that the 2022 Passport is
arriving in dealerships this winter.
