17 Tech Features We Love in the 2019 Honda Passport SUV
Finally, a right-sized Honda SUV with technology front and center.
The All-New Honda Passport sits right in between the compact CR-V crossover and the full-size seven-seater 3-row Honda Pilot. And, starting $31,990 and topping out at $43,680, its price is right-sized, too.
It’s built for adventure, a bit of off-road but also, in-the-city comfort. The flat floor passenger space in the second row is spacious and easy to crawl in and out of with or without car seats, boosters or big kids.
It’s 6.2″ shorter in length than the Pilot but with added ruggedness. It’s a bit wider at the wheels and overall, has a bit more ground clearance and height.
While in the USA you will have a front wheel drive option on some trim models, all Canadian models come with All Wheel Drive.
Related: 2019 Honda Pilot Elite Review: A Luxury SUV For Adventurers
The Honda Passport is Loaded with Tech
Let’s get to the tech though, this is what we loved about the 2019 Honda Passport (a full review to come soon!). Here are 17 tech features we loved in the Passport:
1. Lane-Keep Assist
Lane-keeping assist helps by notifying you if you’re drifting into another lane and your signal is not activated. In the Passport, it’s subtle but reliable, it keeps you gently in the center of your lane with steering assist as well. Road departure mitigation is also included if the vehicle detects that you may have left the road and will brake if necessary.
2. Blind Spot Notification
All it takes is one glance to the side view mirrors to see if there is someone in your blind spot as the light will illuminate on the mirror.
Personally, I still shoulder check, but this is tech at its best.
3. Adaptive Cruise Control
This means that it will keep you in time with all the other vehicles on the highway when using cruise control. Set it at the speed (within the legal limit) that you’re comfortable with and it will automatically slow down when approaching other vehicles ahead of you.
Related: The 10 Best Small SUVs for Weekend Adventures
4. Collision Detection sensors
It will notify you on the dash and on the head-up display if you are approaching a vehicle too quickly if they’re at a standstill or traveling slower than you are. It will brake for you if necessary.
5. Advanced backup Camera
Choose from three different views when using the back-up camera in the 2019 Honda Passport.
6. Apple CarPlay + Android Auto
Apple CarPlay is a must-have for me for music control, voice-to-text, and maps. It’s not standard on all vehicle brands yet, so I love that Honda continues to include this on their new models.
7. Automatic High Beams (and headlights)
Headlights and high beams on automatic save you time and increase safety. The headlights will turn on when you’re driving through a tunnel and/or if it gets dark as you drive. The high beams will come on if the vehicle senses that you are not facing oncoming traffic in dark driving conditions and not within the distance of city lights.
8. The wireless device charging pad
You don’t need a special phone case, special phone or anything like that, just drop your iPhone on the wireless charging pad on the front console, and it will charge your phone while you drive.
To be honest, this is the first vehicle I have experienced this in and I’m *in love*, for real. How convenient and cool is this feature? I want it now!
9. Rainsense windshield wipers
When raindrops begin to appear the windshield wipers begin automatically and will keep in time with the speed of the rainfall.
10. Trizone auto climate control
You can control the rear climate on the tri-zone climate control from the front of the vehicle, but if your kids are old enough (like mine like to) they like to set their own temperature – hot when you need AC up front, or cold when you’re heating your toes while driving. It’s a perfect convenience.
Further Reading: The Chevy Blazer is Back and More Bad-Ass Than Ever
11. Defrosting side-view mirrors
When the temperature outside drops and you’ve been parking outdoors, it can be difficult to see out of the side view mirrors, which is a major safety concern. Having the ability to defrost them, just as you would with the back window, is key to Winter driving safety.
12. Traction Control Button – Mud, Snow, Sand
At the touch of a button, you decide – mud, snow, sand. The AWD is always on, but if you’re on a beach or on a mountain you can set the traction control on demand.
13. Auto Stop engine on full brake
It will save you gas money and the environment when you use economy mode. I prefer not to, to be honest, there is a little more oomph in the drive, but then you’ll get 15L/100KM fuel mileage. (approx: 15 MPG). The Passport is estimated to get 20MPG city/25 highway in the front wheel drive model and 19/24 in the AWD model.
14. 8″ Touchscreen
A touchscreen may seem like a no brainer in 2019, but this one is especially user-friendly with all of Honda’s tech at the touch of a finger including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, Navigation, Phone, Settings, and Audio.
15. Mobile Hotspot
The Honda Passport in the Touring and Elite models has an available Hotspot, with an AT+T subscription.
16. 120-Volt Household Outlet
There is a full power 120-volt household power outlet in the backseat, allowing you to charge your laptop on the go, or your kids to plug in their devices on a road trip.
Further Reading: Room for More in the 2019 Lexus RX450 L Hybrid
17. Walk Away Auto-lock (and unlock)
This is one Honda feature I love and haven’t found on other brands, as yet, but have loved on the Accord, Pilot and Clarity. When you walk away from the vehicle with the fob in-hand, it will automatically lock and beep to indicate that it has. As you walk back towards the vehicle [with the fob in hand], it will automatically unlock.
Stay tuned for a full review on the Honda Passport coming soon.
The Honda Passport was provided for one week to facilitate this post.
Categorized:Car Reviews SUVs