1994-1997 Honda Passport: Road Test

The V6 engine is smoother and quieter, and delivers stronger acceleration than the four. Though lacking the low-speed muscle of 6-cylinder engines in rivals from Jeep, Ford, and General Motors, the V6 furnishes sufficient go-power, even with an automatic transmission. Gas mileage is less pleasing. We averaged just 14.6 mpg with a V6 and automatic, with about one-third of the driving on expressways. Engine noise is moderate, but road and wind noise can interfere with conversations. A Passport is tough enough for off-roading, but the ride gets stiff and bouncy over ruts and potholes, failing to absorb bumps well. Steering is tight, with good feel--easy to correct to stay on course in gusty winds, and delivering more positive control during off-road treks. Head/leg room are plentiful, but rear entry is tight through narrow doors. Climbing aboard also demands a rather high step-up. The rear seat folds flat to create a wide cargo floor, but a full-size spare tire eats into space. Initial models had overly complex multibutton controls for lighting and wipers. Also, the radio sat too low for easy adjustments while driving. The new dashboard added in mid-1995 has a more convenient control layout. All models have plenty of handy bins and storage pockets.

Value for the Money
Though not lacking in features or capabilities, neither the Passport nor its Rodeo near-duplicate is quite in the league of a Chevrolet S10 Blazer or Ford Explorer.