A new ruggedly accented TrailSport model leads the restyled Honda Passport SUV lineup into 2022.
For 2022, Honda restyled the Passport to accent the rugged capabilities of its strong unibody construction, independent front and rear suspension, standard V6 engine, and class-leading i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system.
Featuring new, bolder front and rear styling elements and a new rugged accent trimmed TrailSport model, Honda is looking to reach active, adventure-minded buyers.
For all Passports models, new sheet metal from the A-pillars forward feature a new hood with a pronounced power bulge, a new squared off nose and upright grille design unique to Passport, plus new front fenders.
The grille features a crossbar that bisects the headlight lenses and accentuates Passport’s width, while a prominent skid garnish design adds to the tougher look of a new front bumper.
A new more aggressive rear bumper features cutouts for larger twin exhaust outlets and a tow hitch cover and skid garnish design that matches the more rugged front-end styling. All Passport grades also feature new tougher-looking alloy wheel designs.
The (first ever) 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport model adds exclusive styling elements including unique Orange TrailSport badges gracing the grille and tailgate, orange contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door panels and seats with TrailSport logo embroidered on the front seat head rests and more.
2022 Honda Passport AWD TrailSport as Tested
We recently spent a week with the new TrailSport in and around Hill Country, Texas.
Honda sent us a brilliant Platinum White TrailSport AWD for drive test recently. The MSRP was $42,470. Fitted with a black interior and sporting no extras – our TrailSport was very complete.
With delivery, our 2022 Honda PassPort AWD TrailSport was priced at $44,090.
Powertrain and Mechanical
The TrailSport is powered by a 3.5L V6 that produces 280 horsepower with 262 lb-ft. of torque. Power is delivered through a 9-speed Automatic Transmission using a unique console-mounted Push-Button Shifter and Paddles.
The Push-Button Shifter may appear to be a bit awkward at first glance – but is actually intuitively easy to use.
TrailSport comes AWD only. It is equipped with Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD system with Normal, Snow, Sand and Mud Traction Modes and Hill Start Assist.
It features True Torque Vectoring that applies torque – real time adjusted – between front and rear axles (up to 70 percent) and then between left and right rear wheels (up to 100 percent), as needed, to optimize traction.
Fuel economy is rated at 19/24 mpg city/highway and 21 mpg combined. Equipped with a 19.5-gallon tank, its highway range is just short of 500 miles.
Underneath, the TrailSport features MacPherson Strut suspension front and Multi-Link rear, front and rear stabilizer bars, Power-Assisted Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes and Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering.
With an 8.1-inch ground clearance and Approach/Departure angles of 21.4/27.6 degrees respectively, Passport TrailSport is a reasonably capable off-road SUV with one caution. We noted that the standard rubber is “faux” off-road featuring rugged sidewalls only. The tread design is all-season. For serious hill-climbing or rock crawling, off-road tread design tires would be a must have.
Lastly, the TrailSport tows too. Equipped with the towing package, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Exterior
The all-new Passport TrailSport features distinctive matte black window pillars, tailgate trim, side mirror base and gloss black upper grille bar, side mirror caps and roof rails.
While its sibling Passport models feature 20-inch wheels, TrailSport is equipped with (more off-road suitable) 18-inch machined alloy wheels with Pewter painted highlights and mounted with 245/60R18 tires.
A Power Sunroof lets in lots of light while the wide Hands-Free Power Tailgate makes loading and unloading cargo easy.
Other functional elements included Auto On/Off LED Headlights w/Auto High Beam, LED Fog Lights, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED Brake and Reverse Lighting, Rain-Sensing Variable Intermittent Front and Rear Window Wiper/Washers and Power Folding Heated Side Mirrors with Integrated LED Turn Signals, Roof Rails and Roofline Spoiler.
Of note was the windshield Heated Wiper Zone to keep – during inclement weather – wipers ice free when not operating.
Interior
The TrailSport cabin is very roomy and functional. It seats five very comfortably with good headroom, legroom and plenty of shoulder room for bigger folks in both front and second rows.
Seating is leather trimmed with orange accent stitching plus the TrailSport logo in orange on the front seat headrests. Front seats are heated w/10-way Power adjustment Driver and 4-way Power Passenger.
The multi-functional center console features a large storage bin with sleek rolling cover that doubles as a tray when closed. Second-row seating is a 60/40 Split Bench with One-Touch Power Fold-Down.
Other elements include Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control w/Humidity Control, Filtration and second row heating ducts. The second row has Integrated Sunshades.
There is amber LED ambient cabin lighting with map lighting in the front row, door courtesy lighting and a cargo area light.
Eleven beverage holders are located throughout the cabin with front holders illuminated.
All-season floor mats with the orange TrailSport logo keep the cabin floors dry and clean.
The cargo space behind the second row is a generous 50.5 cubic feet that will easily handle gear needed for everyday tasks and weekend adventuring. And, in case you need more, there is also a 2.5 cubic foot watertight bin under the cargo floor. Drop the second-row seat and you have a whopping 110.8 cubic feet of space (plus the underfloor bin) of cargo capacity.
Infotainment / Technology
The 2022 Passport TrailSport’s infotainment and technology system features an 8-inch High-Res Display Audio w/Electrostatic Touchscreen, customizable icons and smartphone or tablet-like gesture control features.
Other system elements include HondaLink – Honda Cabin Control smartphone-based connectivity, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation w/voice recognition and Turn-by-Turn directions, HD Digital Traffic, Wireless Phone Charging, three 12-Volt Power Outlets (front, center console and cargo area), three 2.5-amp USB Charging Ports, a 2.5-amp USB Smartphone Interface and an AC 115V-150W power inverter.
Audio is provided by a 7-speaker Honda Audio system w/Speed Sensitive Volume Control. Included are SiriusXM and HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility, Bluetooth Hands-Free, Streaming Audio and more.
Accessories
For adventuring, Honda offers a line of accessories for the 2022 TrailSport. Included are a roof box or basket, and attachments for bikes, kayaks, surfboards or snowboards. We understand that even a six-person tent is available. See your dealer for more details.
Safety
The 2022 TrailSport comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. They include Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Also included are Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring with Tire Fill Assist and new for 2022, a Rear Seat Reminder and Rear Seatbelt Reminder (tells driver if a back seat passenger has not buckled their seatbelt).
2022 Honda Passport Lineup
The all-new 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport is slotted between the EX-L (MSRP $37,870) and the Elite (MSRP $45,430).
The EX-L is available in both FWD and AWD. The Elite, like the TrailSport, is AWD only. They all share the same engine, major features and functional conveniences.
Check them all out at: https://automobiles.honda.com/passport
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KEY DATA
- Model: Passport
- Trim: TrailSport
- Class: Mid-Size
- Segment: Crossover SUV
- Seating: Five in two rows
- MSRP: $42,470
- As Tested: $44,090
- Powertrain: 3.5L V6 Direct Injection
- Horsepower: 280 @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 262 lb.-ft. @4,700 rpm
- Transmission: 9-speed Automatic w/Paddle Shifters
- Drive Modes: Normal/Snow/Sand/Mud
- Drive System: AWD (Intelligent Variable Torque Mgmt)
- Suspension: MacPherson Strut (front) / Multi-Link (rear)
- Ground Clearance 8.1-inches
- Tow Capacity: 5,000 pounds
- Fuel Economy: 19/24 mpg City/Highway 21 mpg combined
- Tow Capacity: 5,000 pounds
- Wheels: 18-inch Machine Finish Alloy
- Tires: 245/60R18 (All-Season w/Rugged Sidewall Design)
- Fuel Economy: 19/24 mpg City/Highway 21 mpg Combined
- Fuel Tank: 19.5 gallons
- Range: 450 miles plus
Sources: Media Test Vehicle / Honda Press Materials
