Honda is unveiling the newly refreshed 2022 Passport SUV - it's headliner, the new first-ever Passport TrailSport. Calling it a new halo for Honda light trucks, Honda says TrailSport further highlights the off-road capability, versatility and durability that has been engineered into the brand's light trucks for more than two decades.
“Some may not realize the true rugged, off-road capabilities of our light trucks,” said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Now they're getting tough, rugged looks to match, and the addition of TrailSport will further enhance the off-road capability of our vehicles in the future.”
First-Ever Passport TrailSport
Designed for adventure-seekers, Honda says the new TrailSport model combines Passport's strong unibody construction, independent front and rear suspension, and available class-leading torque-vectoring AWD system with TrailSport exclusive exterior and interior styling.
On the exterior, the new Passport TrailSport features a unique grille treatment, and more aggressive front and rear bumpers with skid garnish designs prominently painted silver. Orange TrailSport badges grace grille and tailgate, while the Passport and AWD badges are painted gloss black instead of the chrome used on the rest of the lineup.
New machined 18-inch wheels with Pewter painted highlights are also unique to TrailSport, and its front & rear track widths are increased 10 mm to improve stance and stability. The unique design of its 245/60R18 tires includes sidewall tread for a more rugged look.
Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management systems are standard. When the trail narrows and every inch of width counts, the outside mirrors can be folded with the touch of a button. TrailSport also includes a heated windshield wiper parking area to keep them from getting stuck in frigid conditions.
In the cabin, TrailSport stands out with orange contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door panels and seats, with the TrailSport logo embroidered on the front seat head rests and molded onto the standard all-season rubber floor mats. TrailSport's gauge cluster features the same new gray lighting and white needles as the rest of the Passport lineup, but with a grade-specific black chrome gauge surround. At night, the interior features exclusive amber ambient lighting in the footwells, overhead console, door handle pocket, door tray and cupholders.
Honda promises future upgrades in the years to come such as more aggressive tires and off-road tuned suspension.
2022 Passport Updates
Overall, the 2022 Passport lineup receives some updates for 2022 model year. Honda says its new front and rear styling are designed to better reflect the rugged capabilities of its strong unibody construction, independent front and rear suspension, standard V6 engine, and available class-leading i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system.
In front you find a more aggressive front end and a crossbar atop the front grille bisects the headlight lenses, finished in chrome on EX-L, and painted gloss black on TrailSport and Elite. In back you find a new rear bumper with larger exhaust outlets, plus a tow hitch cover and skid garnish design match the more rugged front-end styling. The crossbar under the rear window is matte black on EX-L and TrailSport, and gloss black on Elite.
Broad side vents route air through the bumper and around the front wheels and tires, creating air curtains to improve aerodynamic performance.
A new HPD (Honda Performance Development) Package is also available. It adds a unique grille treatment, black fender flares, aggressive wheels and special HPD graphics on the rear quarter panel.
Honda also gave the cabin a sportier look for 2022. The Passport EX-L grades now feature high-contrast stitching on perforated leather seats, and all trims have new gray instrument cluster illumination and white gauge needles.
A power tailgate is standard across the lineup, with handsfree access on Elite. The Passport offers 50.5 cu.-ft. of cargo space which can be expanded by 2.5 cu.-ft. thanks to under-floor storage compartments.
What's New:
- More aggressive exterior design from the A-pillars forward
- Updated rear styling featuring a new bumper and larger exhaust finishers
- Updated EX-L interior includes contrast stitching on perforated leather seats
- TrailSport edition features unique exterior and interior styling and standard intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4®) all-wheel drive system with true torque vectoring
- Standard Rear Seat Reminder and rear seatbelt reminder systems on all models
- Available HPD accessories package for sportier appearance
Key Features
- Standard 280-horsepower (SAE net at 6,000 rpm) V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission
- i-VTM4 all-wheel drive with true torque vectoring available on all grades (standard on TrailSport and Elite)
- Ground clearance up to 8.1 inches for tackling rugged terrain
- Standard 8-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Standard Honda Sensing system of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies
- Standard Smart Entry and Push-button start
- Standard LED headlights
Powertrain
The Passport lineup offers a single powertrain, a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system comes standard on TrailSport and Elite, and it's available on EX-L. The system sends 70 percent of the engine's 262 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels, and continuously apportioning 100 percent of that torque between the rear wheels based on driving conditions at each wheel.
Honda says the off-road traction management of the i-VTM4 system expands Passport's off-road ability well beyond its crossover-based competition. In addition, Passport's four-mode Intelligent Traction Management allows drivers to customize the i-VTM4 system for different terrains, including sand, snow, mud and paved roads. With 8.1-inches of ground clearance (with AWD), Passport can navigate tough trails and its 5,000-pound towing capacity (with AWD, with additional equipment) allows it to pull a large camper trailer or off-road toys.
Passport's strong unibody construction and independent front and rear suspension deliver class-leading on-road ride comfort and dynamics, and sharp, precise steering gives Passport a sporty driving character in any situation.
Safety
New for 2022, the entire Passport lineup receives new Rear Seat Reminder and Rear Seatbelt Reminder. The Rear Seat Reminder chimes when Passport is turned off, with a notification on the digital meter reminding drivers to check the rear seating area for children, pets, or other precious cargo when exiting the car. The rear seatbelt reminder uses a warning on the digital meter to let drivers know if rear seat passengers have not fastened their seatbelts.
Every 2022 Honda Passport also comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. It includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
The 2022 Honda Passport is expected to begin arriving in dealers this winter.
Photo Credit: Honda