Honda’s subpilot SUV is on the horizon
The rumored Honda Passport continues to be revealed in spy photos. These spy photos further confirm that Honda is developing a new SUV, and that the earlier images weren’t just a fluke.
This Passport looks too big to be a replacement of the CR-V, and too small for a Pilot. Rumours continue to suggest that the Passport will be based on the larger Pilot. This shared platform may explain the Passport’s bloated appearance. Because of its smaller footprint, the Passport is likely to be a two-row, five seat offering. It will compete with the Ford Edge and Chevy Blazer . Also, the wheelbase is significantly shorter.
Although spy photos are not often revealing details about the powertrain’s components, we will speculate. The Passport shares the same underpinnings with the Pilot so the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 should also be used. The Pilot’s V6 produces 280 horsepower (209 Kilowatts), which is enough power for the SUV with five seats. Before the new model is released, there could be some modifications to the engine. Passport should include the Pilot’s front-wheel architecture as well as the optional all-wheel drive system.
Camouflage is great at hiding distinctive features. However, there are design similarities between the Pilot’s Pilot and our Pilot. Because the Pilot and Passport share the same underpinnings, the Passport will likely take many design cues.
These photos do not give a glimpse inside the interior, but previous images do. The Pilot will influence the interior, so we’ll see a center stack with infotainment system and a single control knob. There will also be air vents along the screen. The interior will be modeled after the larger model.
We now know Honda is developing a smaller SUV. But we still have to wait for the reveal. In an effort to grab a piece of the growing market pie and sell new SUVs and crossovers quickly, automakers are racing to get them on the market. It shouldn’t take too long. The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show will see the debut of the Honda Passport, or whatever else the company calls it. This could mean that sales could start as early as the middle 2019 and could either be a 2019 model or a 2020 model.