Review: The 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport is Built To Handle All Your Adventures
Don't let it's sporty good looks fool you: the Honda Passport TrailSport SUV is rugged and capable, expertly managing off-roading, 3-across car seats and kid spills.
Erica Mueller
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Even those “mom, I spilled the ketchup!” adventures.
If you’ve checked out the Honda Passport in the past, but you haven’t seen the 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport edition, a 2-row 5-passenger SUV with a starting price of $32,990, you really need to look again. This mid-size SUV takes the Passport to a whole new level with its adventure-ready off-road capabilities and rugged exterior.
After several years of SUVs becoming more rounded and looking more like mom-cars than SUVs, I find the Passport’s rugged exterior sets it apart from its counterparts in a refreshing way. It’s not that it’s overly masculine either. I think sporty is a better word for this SUV, which is equipped with a V6 engine that generates 280 HP and gets about 19 MPG city/24 highway. With its chiseled body, more aggressive front grille design, roof rails, a blacked-out Honda emblem, orange accents, and a front skid plate, it looks ready for anything that comes its way.
Related: Is the 2023 Honda Pilot 3 Row SUV a better option for your family?
Rubber floor mats in the second row are speaking my love language! Photo: Erica Mueller
Off-Road Capabilities and Family-Friendly Floor Mats
With standard all-wheel drive and an increased ride height, the 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport is ready to handle any terrain. The TrailSport’s 8.1 inches of ground clearance and underbody skid plates make it a formidable off-road machine.
And the trail-ready features don’t stop on the outside. This SUV also features four driving modes, including Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, allowing drivers to adapt to changing environments. My favorite off-road or family-ready feature is the addition of all-weather floor mats in the front and second-rows which make cleanup a breeze when the kids get in after a trip to the park, or drop Goldfish or french fries in the floor.
Related: Have a big mess in your car? Here’s how to clean it up (and not lose your lunch)
I was floored by how much we were able to fit in the Passport’s cargo area! Photo: Erica Mueller
Will 3 Kids Car Seats Fit Across the Back Seat?
The second row of the Honda Passport Trailsport is what first made me take notice of this SUV. At an event, hosted by A Girls Guide to Cars, I had to opportunity to try putting 3 infant seats side by side in the second row of a couple of vehicles and I was shocked by how much easier this was to achieve in the Passport than the competing vehicles at the event.
With a spacious and comfortable interior, the Honda Passport ensures that passengers are comfortable throughout the journey. The cabin includes a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TrailSport also features an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing passengers to stay connected during the adventure. Additionally, the TrailSport includes a suite of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning.
Need an SUV on the smaller side? Check out the 2023 Honda HR-V
The Passport has a super practical center stack. The console easily holds a medium-sized purse or bag and everything you need is at your fingertips. Photo: Erica Mueller
What You Need to Know About the 2023 Honda Passport
The Honda Passport comes in four different trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite.
The Sport trim is the base trim level, starting at $32,990, and comes with standard features such as a 9-speed automatic transmission, LED headlights, and automatic climate control. It also includes a 7-speaker audio system, a rearview camera, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
The EX-L trim adds leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, a moonroof, and a power liftgate. It also includes keyless entry and ignition, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Touring trim includes standard features such as a 10-speaker premium audio system, satellite radio, and a hands-free power liftgate. It also includes heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless phone charger.
The Elite trim is the top-of-the-line trim level, starting at $44,180, and includes all the features from the lower trim levels, plus adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats. It also includes a wireless phone charger, a heated steering wheel, and a 115-volt power outlet.
The TrailSport edition is a new trim level for 2023 and is based on the Elite trim. It includes all the features from the Elite trim, plus off-road-specific upgrades such as all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and underbody skid plates. It also includes orange exterior accents and all-weather floor mats. The Honda Passport TrailSport edition starts at $43,000.
Related: More family adventure: Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Edition
The orange contrast stitching and Trail Sport logos made this Passport feel extra sporty. Photo: Erica Mueller
Your *Passport* to Adventure!
A smaller 2-row version of the very popular Honda Pilot, Honda cemented its dedication to adventure and exploration with the introduction of the TrailSport trim on the Honda Passport. In fact, the TrailSport trim was so popular when it was introduced that Honda added it to the Pilot, too. The rugged exterior, off-road capabilities, and spacious interior will appeal to anyone looking to explore the great outdoors.
Disclosure: The 2023 Honda Passport Trailsport was lent to me for a week-long drive experience. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.
