It is hard to see the point of the Passport, which offers little more utility compared to the less-expensive CR-V and lacks the third-row seat of the related Pilot. That said, many buyers will chose it because of its strong and silky V6 engine. However, with the addition of the Chevrolet Blazer, the Passport and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, the segment has exploded over the last few years.

The Passport driver faces a peanut shaped instrument cluster with half-circle tachometer on the left side, a quarter circle fuel and temperature gauges on the right side, separated by a crisply-marked electronic info centre which is topped by a digital speed indicator. The centre of the dash is dominated by the HondaLink info touchscreen that controls all aspects of the audio and navigation systems. Like in other Hondas, the HondaLink is not really suited for in-car use. Relatively conventional climate controls reside under the info screen. With plenty of matte-finished soft-touch surfaces, the cabin of the Passport is attractive. Trim levels with leather upholstery look quite elegant but the fabric in the base trim looks a bit dour. Big, supportive and comfortable, the front seats of the Passport are up to the high standard set by large Honda vehicles over the years. The rear seat is comfortable and passengers enjoy good legroom. Cargo space is ample with the rear seat arrayed to accept passengers and expansive when in full cargo mode. The 3.5L V6 powering the Passport is smooth, strong and flexible. The nine-speed automatic transmission on our Touring model harnessed the V6’s energy very well and permitted low-rev cruising. Steering is accurate, nicely weighted and geared but not the last word in road feel. Handling is steady and secure and the Pilot’s ride is nicely absorbent. The Pilot stops quickly enough but the pedal feels soft and pedal travel is longer than necessary. The air-conditioner in the Passport worked hard to keep passengers cool during some hot weather. Despite its poor controls, the audio system has a pleasing sound.

With a comprehensive active safety suite, L.E.D. headlights, a sunroof, power tailgate and deep-tint glass, the base Passport Sport is nicely equipped. The Trailsport upgrade adds a memory system, an acoustic windshield, auto-dim rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, wireless cellphone charging, heated rear seat and a four-way power passenger seat, but is overpriced. The range-topping Touring trim, with power fold and auto-dim door mirrors, rain-sense wipers, navigation, ventilated front seats, leather upholstery and premium audio, is very good value. With sales of about half of those of the related Pilot, the Passport is not a big volume vehicle and not much of a case can be made for it given the computer chip crisis and the general inability of manufacturers to actually supply a vehicle. The Passport is in that odd category of vehicles like the Chevrolet Blazer and Volkswagen Cross Sport that are derived from three-row crossovers but offer no real space advantage over vehicles like the CR-V or Rogue, but do offer silky-V6 power, which is sadly becoming increasingly rare.

Above average reliability predicted. Some transmission issues have developed on large Honda vehicles. Some reports of front suspension clunks and premature brake wear.