Honda has been one of the most dependable and consistent automakers in the world, but the company recently discontinued its Passport SUV. Launched in 1994, the Honda Passport was a compact SUV that was manufactured until 2002. It was an off-road vehicle that competed with others such as the Jeep Cherokee and Toyota RAV4.
The Passport was based on the Isuzu Rodeo, but was rebadged and slightly restyled, with a more aggressive look. It was powered by a 2.6L or 3.2L V6 engine, and came with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. It was offered in two-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations, with a range of trim levels and colors.
The Honda Passport was very popular, especially in the early years. It was a reliable and capable vehicle, and it appealed to those who wanted a compact SUV with an off-road capability. Unfortunately, sales started to decline in later years, and by 2002, the Passport was discontinued.
The main reason for the Passport’s demise was because Honda had decided to focus on its other SUVs, such as the CR-V and Pilot. The company wanted to focus on these larger and more popular models, and the Passport was no longer a viable option. Additionally, Honda was facing increased competition from other automakers who were offering more capable and better-equipped SUVs.
Today, the Honda Passport is no longer in production, but it is still fondly remembered by those who owned one. It was an affordable and capable off-road vehicle, and it had a loyal following. Although it is no longer available, the Passport will always be remembered as a great SUV.
Revealing The Reasons Behind Honda’s Discontinuation Of The Passport
Honda enthusiasts who have been longing for the return of the Honda Passport may have to find an alternative vehicle as Honda has officially discontinued this model. The Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV that was first introduced in 1994 and enjoyed a brief stint on the market until 2002 when production officially ceased. Although Honda ceased production of the model, many still wonder why Honda made the decision to discontinue the vehicle.
The Honda Passport was first released as a two-door SUV with a four-wheel-drive system. It was powered by a 3.2L V6 engine which produced 190 horsepower, and could be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The Honda Passport also featured a sporty exterior design with body-colored bumpers, alloy wheels, and tinted windows. Inside, the Passport had an impressive list of features, including power windows and locks, cruise control, and air conditioning. The MSRP for the Honda Passport started at $23,000.
When the Honda Passport first hit the market, it was considered to be a great vehicle with plenty of features and a good price. However, as time went on, the market for mid-size SUVs began to shrink as consumers gravitated towards larger, more luxurious vehicles. This made it more difficult for Honda to sell the Passport and ultimately swayed their decision to discontinue the model.
The Honda Passport was also plagued by reliability problems, which caused Honda to lose even more customers. Owners had to deal with constant oil leaks, transmission problems, and cooling system issues. Honda also had to recall a large number of vehicles due to a potential fire hazard which further damaged the reputation of the Passport.
Ultimately, the combination of a shrinking market and reliability issues led Honda to make the decision to discontinue the Passport. Although Honda ceased production of the Passport, they still offer a variety of other mid-size SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Honda HR-V. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable mid-size SUV, these are great alternatives to the Honda Passport.
| Model | Engine | Horsepower | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Passport | 3.2L V6 | 190 hp | $23,000 |
| Honda CR-V | 1.5L Turbo | 190 hp | $25,050 |
| Honda HR-V | 1.8L 4-Cylinder | 141 hp | $20,820 |
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Honda Passport, these mid-size SUVs are still great options. They offer plenty of features, a reliable engine, and good price points. So if you’re in the market for a new mid-size SUV, these are great choices.
Exploring The Popularity Of The Honda Passport And Why It Was Retired
The Honda Passport was a mid-size SUV that first made its way onto the market in 1994. It was based on the platform of the popular Honda Isuzu Rodeo, and over the years, it gained a large and loyal following. However, despite its popularity, Honda stopped making the Passport in 2002. So why did Honda stop making the Passport? Let’s take a closer look at the vehicle and explore its history.
The Honda Passport was available in various trims, including the DX, LX, SE, and EX. The base model was the DX, which featured a 2.6L four-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, and an AWD system. The LX and SE trims featured a 3.2L V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and AWD system. The EX trim featured a 3.5L V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and AWD system. All trims were available with the option of a sunroof.
The Honda Passport was known for being rugged and reliable. It was a popular vehicle for off-road enthusiasts, and it featured a high ground clearance, large tires, and a powerful engine. It was also equipped with a variety of useful features, such as cruise control, power windows and locks, and keyless entry.
Despite the Honda Passport’s popularity, Honda stopped making the vehicle in 2002. The main reason for this was the fact that Honda was phasing out its partnership with Isuzu. The Passport was based on the Isuzu Rodeo, and since Honda was no longer working with Isuzu, it no longer had access to the platform. This meant that Honda had to manufacture a new vehicle to replace the Passport, which it did with the Honda Pilot.
The Honda Pilot was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Passport. The Pilot was larger than the Passport and featured a more powerful engine. It also had more modern features, such as a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio. The Pilot also had a higher price tag than the Passport. The base model of the Pilot was priced at $27,000, while the top-of-the-line model was priced at $35,000.
| Honda Passport | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|
| Engine: 2.6L/3.2L/3.5L V6 | Engine: 3.5L V6 |
| Transmission: 5-speed manual/4-speed automatic | Transmission: 5-speed automatic |
| Price: $18,000 – $25,000 | Price: $27,000 – $35,000 |
| Features: Cruise control, power windows and locks, keyless entry, sunroof | Features: Rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, power windows and locks, keyless entry |
The Honda Pilot was a logical replacement for the Honda Passport. It offered more features and a more powerful engine than the Passport, and it was priced higher as well. While the Honda Passport may be gone, the legacy of the popular mid-size SUV lives on in the Honda Pilot.
Honda discontinued the Passport due to a decline in sales in the mid-90s.
Yes, Honda replaced the Passport with the Honda Pilot in 2002.
The Passport’s last production year was 2002.
No, the Honda Passport is not currently available as a new vehicle.
The Honda Passport was a compact SUV.
The Honda Passport was first released in 1993.
No, the Honda Passport is no longer in production and is no longer popular.
The Honda Passport was available with a 3.2L V6 engine.
Yes, Honda still makes the Honda Pilot, which is a larger SUV similar to the Passport.
Other Honda models that have been discontinued include the Accord Coupe and Civic Coupe.
