1994-1997 Honda Passport: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1994-1997 Honda Passport and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- 4WD traction (optional)
- Optional antilock brakes
- Passenger and cargo room
Cons
- No shift-on-the-fly
- Fuel economy
- Noise
Vehicle Highlights
Instead of creating a sport utility from scratch, Honda chose to market a near twin of the Isuzu Rodeo. Both are 4-door wagons with a lift-up rear window and fold-down tailgate.The entry-level DX had a 2.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, 2-wheel drive, and 5-speed manual shift. Stepping up a notch, the Passport LX used a 175-horsepower 3.2-liter V6, with 2- or 4-wheel drive and 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Topping the line was the EX, a 4WD V6 model with automatic. Rear antilock brakes work only in 2-wheel drive, and 4WD models have a part-time drive system (not for use on dry pavement).
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Honda Passport 3.2-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1994-1997 Honda Passport. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1994-1997 Honda Passport.
Year to Year Changes
1995 Honda Passport:
Passports were essentially unchanged in their second season, except for extra equipment in the top-of-the-line EX model. However, dashboards were reworked in midseason, adding airbags for both the driver and passenger.
1996 Honda Passport:
Shift-on-the-fly for the 4-wheel-drive system arrived during 1996, and the V6 engine was enhanced to 190 horsepower. Four-wheel antilock braking was available, but only on the 4WD EX model.
1997 Honda Passport:
The entry-level DX model with its 4-cylinder engine disappeared, so all Passports now carried a V6 engine.
Our road test for the 1994-1997 Honda Passport includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1994-1997 Honda Passport and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1994-1997 Honda Passport is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
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.
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Honda Passport 3.2-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Honda Passport includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Honda Passport .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Dashboard lights:
The speedometer gear (in the transmission) seizes and gets stripped. (1994-96)
Hard starting:
Engine may be hard to start after sitting due to fuel-injection leak-down requiring replacement of injectors. (1994-95)
Oil leak:
Leaks at the spark-plug tubes allow oil to leak onto spark plugs. (1994-96)
Seatbelts/safety:
Seatbelts may not retract or may retract slowly. Also, the button that keeps the seatbelt tongue from sliding down breaks. The belts should be serviced under the Honda Lifetime Seat Belt Limited Warranty. (1994-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $750 |
| Alternator | $375 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,715 |
| Brakes | $305 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $605 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $250 |
| Exhaust System | $270 |
| Radiator | $445 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $220 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $250 |
Our price chart for this generation Honda Passport details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| Passport 2WD | $2,100-3,000 | $1,500-2,100 | $400-500 |
| Passport 4WD | $2,800-3,600 | $2,100-2,700 | $600-800 |
| 1996 | |||
| Passport 2WD | $1,700-2,500 | $1,100-1,700 | $300-400 |
| Passport 4WD | $2,400-3,100 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| 1995 | |||
| Passport 2WD | $1,400-2,100 | $900-1,300 | $200-300 |
| Passport 4WD | $2,100-2,700 | $1,500-1,900 | $400-500 |
| 1994 | |||
| Passport 2WD | $1,100-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| Passport 4WD | $1,700-2,400 | $1,100-1,600 | $300-400 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Honda Passport include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.7 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 176.5 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.5 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 66.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3545 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 74.9 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 21.9 | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.5 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.0 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.0 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Until 1997, Passports were available with either a 4-cylinder engine or a V6. All models except the DX got the 3.2-liter V6, however, which began at 175 horsepower and jumped to 190 in 1996. Only 5-speed manual shift was available with the 4-cylinder engine, but other Passports might have an optional 4-speed automatic transmission instead. Honda's 4-wheel-drive system is not recommended for use on dry pavement.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc V6 | 3.2 / 193 | 175-190 | 188 | 5-speed manual: 16/19 4-speed automatic: 15/18 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 14.6 |
| ohc I4 | 2.6 / 156 | 120 | 150 | 5-speed manual: 18/22 | 5-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Honda Passport include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 Passport |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 3 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1994-1997 Honda Passport directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1994:
Camshaft-seal end plug can become dislodged from cylinder head, allowing oil to leak; can cause engine damage and fire.
1994:
Latch in seatbelt buckle could engage only partially, causing tongue to come out during collision or hard braking.
1994-95:
Improperly-manufactured integrated circuit within voltage regulator can cause excessive electrical charging, possibly resulting in eventual engine stalling.
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