2019 Honda Passport Competitors to Consider

2019 Honda Passport front three quarter ・ Photo by Honda

Three-row SUVs are great – but some buyers just don’t need that third row. Five seating positions are sufficient. Filling a gap between the CR-V and Pilot, Honda created the 2019 Honda Passport, reviving a classic brand nameplate.

The new Passport shares a platform, powertrain, and engineering with the Pilot and the Ridgeline pickup. It comes with a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine (280 hp/262 lb-ft of torque) connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. EPA fuel economy estimates are 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined (FWD), and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined (AWD). Prices start at $31,990 for Sport FWD, ranging up to $43,680 for Elite AWD. All trim levels come with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistance features as standard equipment. If you want to look at some other options, here are 10 2019 Honda Passport competitors to consider.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer

Like the Honda Passport, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer revives a beloved nameplate from brand history for a gap-filling two-row crossover SUV. Blazer and Passport are closely matched in terms of passenger space, but Passport has greater luggage capacity behind the second row (41.2 cubic feet vs. 30.5 cubic feet), thanks mostly to greater width and height – the two vehicles are within an inch in total length (190.5 inches for Passport vs. 191.4 inches for Blazer).

Passport can tow up to 3,500 lbs in front-wheel drive, or 5,000 lbs in all-wheel drive, while Blazer is rated to tow 1,500 lbs. Blazer comes with a choice of 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder (193 hp/188 lb-ft of torque) or 3.6-liter V6 (308 hp/270 lb-ft of torque) gasoline engines, each mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Prices start at $29,995 for Blazer L FWD, and go up to $46,795 for Blazer Premier AWD.

Photo by General Motors

2019 Dodge Durango

The 2019 Dodge Durango represents a different approach to the SUV. Unlike the Passport, Durango is a rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive vehicle, available in eight models with a choice of three gasoline engines: a 3.6-liter V6; a 5.7-liter HEMI V8; or a 6.4-liter HEMI SRT V8, each with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Durango can be ordered with or without a third row of seats for seven-passenger hauling, and some models can be configured with two second-row bucket seats for six-passenger capacity. Maximum tow rating on Durango is up to 8,700 lbs. Pricing starts at $30,195 for SXT RWD, and goes up to $62,995 for SRT AWD. The sleeper SRT model is loaded with luxury, convenience, and performance features, including that 475-hp/470 lb-ft of torque 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that allows Dodge to claim Durango as “America’s Fastest Three-Row SUV.”

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Ford Edge

Like the Passport, the 2019 Ford Edge is a gap-filler, slotting in between the Escape and Explorer in the Ford crossover SUV lineup. The two-row Edge comes with a choice of two turbocharged gasoline engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost (250 hp/275 lb-ft of torque) and a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost (335 hp/380 lb-ft of torque), each connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard with the 2.0-liter, while all-wheel drive is optional. The 2.7-liter comes with standard all-wheel drive. Ford’s all-wheel drive system has a unique ability to disconnect the all-wheel drive during low-demand situations for optimized fuel economy. Prices start at $29,995 for Edge SE FWD, and go up to $42,335 for Edge ST AWD.

Photo by Ford

2019 Honda Pilot

Honda’s strategy with the 2019 Honda Pilot is interesting, and makes for a challenging comparison with the 2019 Honda Passport. The base three-row Pilot LX shares a platform, powertrain, engineering, and many features with the base Passport Sport, but starts at $31,450 -- $540 lower than the starting price for the two-row Passport. Is this a case of getting more for less? In some respects, the answer is yes.

Closer examination reveals two big differentiators: Pilot LX comes with 18-inch wheels vs. Passport’s 20-inchers, and a six-speed automatic transmission vs. Passport’s nine-speed gearbox. You have to choose a Pilot Touring (starting at $42,520) or Elite (starting at $48,020) to get the nine-speed automatic. Still, the two models are closely matched, except when it comes to seating capacity – Pilot can carry up to eight passengers in three rows.

Photo by Honda

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai has played around with the name of its two-row midsize crossover SUV a few times over the years. In 2018, it was Santa Fe Sport. Now, it’s the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe, and it’s a good competitor to consider against the 2019 Honda Passport. Hyundai is legendary for loading down its vehicles with content at a value price, and Santa Fe is no different. Pricing starts at $25,750 for SE FWD models, and goes up to $38,800 for Ultimate 2.0T AWD models.

The base engine is a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder (185 hp/178 lb-ft of torque), with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine (235 hp/260 lb-ft of torque) available in 2.0T models. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. Hyundai includes “America’s Best Warranty,” a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, seven-year/unlimited-miles anti-perforation warranty, and five years/unlimited miles of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

While the 2019 Honda Passport may be an invitation to adventure, the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a stamped visa. This two-row SUV is the second-most capable off-roader in the Jeep lineup (Wrangler is the first), and the most capable on-roader.

Available in 12 trim levels from Laredo (starting at $31,945 with RWD) up to Trackhawk (starting at $86,900 with 4WD), Grand Cherokee comes with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine. In addition, some models can be upgraded with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8. SRT models come with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, while Trackhawk models come with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Perhaps more than any other entry in this class, buyers can order the Grand Cherokee with a wide variety of features for personalization.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Kia Sorento

When it was introduced in 2003, the Sorento represented a big move for Kia. The 2019 Kia Sorento is a three-row SUV standard, but the third row honestly is for occasional use (but no matter). The first two rows are comfortable and spacious, and part of a sophisticated, capable crossover vehicle that should be considered opposite the 2019 Honda Passport.

Sorento can be ordered with a choice of two naturally aspirated (non-turbo) gasoline engines: a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder (185 hp/178 lb-ft of torque) with a six-speed automatic, or a 3.3-liter V6 (290 hp/252 lb-ft of torque) with an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. Like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Sorento comes with a great warranty, including 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Prices for Sorento start at $26,290 for L FWD, and go up to $46,490 for SX-Limited V6 AWD.

Photo by Kia

2019 Nissan Murano

Like the 2019 Honda Passport, the 2019 Nissan Murano is a two-row crossover with a great set of standard and available safety features. Nissan calls their suite “Nissan Safety Shield 360,” and it includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and High Beam Assist.

Each Murano comes with a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine (260 hp/240 lb-ft of torque), with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), a Nissan specialty. Another great standard feature on Murano is a tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire pressure display and Easy-Fill Tire Alert that triggers a brief horn toot when the desired tire pressure is achieved. Prices start at $31,370 for S FWD, and go up to $45,230 for Platinum AWD.

Photo by Nissan

2019 Subaru Outback

It may no longer be the flagship of the Subaru lineup (that position has been usurped by the three-row Ascent), but the 2019 Subaru Outback still is a wonderful two-row crossover SUV that is a fierce competitor for the 2019 Honda Passport. Outback comes with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a hallmark of Subaru vehicles (except BRZ). Like the Nissan Murano, Outback uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), rather than a traditional geared automatic like the Passport.

Uniquely in its class, Outback comes with a horizontally opposed Boxer engine, which has a smooth, balanced character and delivers exceptional fuel economy and performance. Outback prices start at $26,345 for 2.5i models, and go up to $38,995 for 3.6R Touring models.

Photo by Subaru

2019 Toyota Highlander

Though it is a three-row crossover suv, the 2019 Toyota Highlander is very close in size to the two-row 2019 Honda Passport, and is a good competitor.

Highlander is available with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6, or a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain that uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors with a Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack. The gas-only engines use six-speed (with the 2.7-liter) and eight-speed (with the 3.5-liter) automatic transmissions, while the hybrid uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Prices start at $31,530 for the gasoline-only LE, ranging up to $48,830 for the Hybrid Limited AWD with Platinum Package.

Photo by Toyota