Assembled regionally in Lafayette Ind., Honda's Passport competes in the popular, and suddenly very crowded sport utility vehicle segment. Passport is marketed in several price ranges, appealing to many different budget needs. Trim levels include DX, LX and top-of-the-line EX. Two-wheel, rear drive is standard on all trim levels and optional four-wheel drive is available on LX and EX editions. Entry-level, DX editions start at $17,990. Our test drive vehicle, a bright red, four-wheel drive LX model with a long list of features, retails for $26,000. With a $395 destination charge and assorted dealer options, the bottom line totaled $26,771. Air conditioning, adjustable steering column, power windows and doors, cruise control, rear window defoggers were all included in our Passport LX. Dual air bags are standard this model year as are rear-wheel anti-lock brakes. Top-of-the-line EX editions include four-wheel, anti-lock brakes standard. Other safety features include side-impact door beams and child proof rear door locks. New this year is an updated V-6 engine, packing 190 horsepower, 15 more than last year. This powertrain is standard in LX and EX editions. Entry-level DX editions have a smaller, 2.6-liter, four-cylinder, 120-horsepower engine. In previous years, Passports equipped with four-wheel drive had to completely stop when switching from two-wheel to four-wheel drive. In '96, Passport incorporates a driver-friendly, shift-on-the-fly system which allows shifting from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel drive high at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. In addition to four-wheel-drive traction, our four-speed automatic transmission included a 'winter' setting, which helps prevent wheel spin on slippery surfaces with the push of a button. Passport has an overall length of 176.5 inches, and a wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) of 108.5 inches. Passport is one of the larger sport utilities in its class. The instrument panel has been completely redesigned this year. One nice touch is a second dashboard-located transmission indicator displaying which gear the vehicle is positioned. Stereo buttons, however, are small. Also, the horn needs repositioning. More than once while turning from a parking spot, my palms inadvertently hit one of the two horn buttons, startling both me and my neighbors. The horn needs a more central location on the steering wheel, rather than two outside-positioned buttons. Headlights are found on the left-hand side turn signal stalk. Cruise control activates from the dashboard while cruise and resume buttons are found on a right-hand side steering column stem. The cup holder, located between the front bucket seats, needs to be moved forward. Drivers have to reach too far back for beverages in its present position. Sport utility vehicles offer an excellent perspective of the road ahead because drivers are positioned higher than in conventional sedans and coupes. Headroom and legroom are plentiful. There is plenty of space in the cargo area even with riders occupying the back seats. Getting into and out of Passport is relatively easy. Some sport utilities have higher, more difficult step-in designs. The spare tire looks distinct mounted on the tailgate, but when looking into the rear-view mirror, vehicles can disappear behind it, especially at night. The tailgate opens by first swinging open the spare tire bracket. The glass window must first flip up before the bottom lift gate swings down. Passport's large, 16-inch tires, and angled side window pillars create a sharp-looking exterior. The gas tank holds a hefty 21.9 gallons of regular unleaded fuel. Mileage estimates of 15 miles per gallon city and 18 mpg highway for the six-cylinder engine with automatic transmission are marginal at best. Our bright red, test drive Passport, with 5,800 miles, registered 17 mpg in combined driving. The gas tank door does not lock. In a classic example of automobile globalization, Honda's five-door Passport and Isuzu's Rodeo sport utility, built from similar automotive platforms, are assembled in an Indiana facility shared by Isuzu and Subaru. Honda has its work cut out. Its domestic competition, including Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Blazer have preferred driver-friendly interiors and generally, cost less than comparably-equipped Passports. And a new generation of 'mini' sport-utilities, including Toyota's RAV-4 are hitting showroom floors, while at the other end of the spectrum, upscale manufacturers are eagerly joining the fray. Toyota's Lexus' division began marketing its LX 450 sport utility earlier this year while Honda's upscale Acura line introduced the SLX last fall. Infiniti and Mercedes Benz are also introducing sport utilities. |