2020 Honda Passport Review: Dependable Midsize SUV With Low Ownership Costs

Alex Showalter
Oct 18, 2023

The 2020 Honda Passport lasts around 250,000 miles, with some minor blind spot monitoring and stereo system issues reported. At $25,375 to $38,950, it’s a great value for a midsize SUV with excellent reliability ratings as it ages.

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likeFilled The Good
There’s excellent passenger room throughout the cabin, the suspension is smooth and the V6 engine offers enough power for its size.
dislikeFilled The Bad
The base model’s stereo is very simple, the touchscreen is difficult to use and the driving position is relatively high.

Is the 2020 Honda Passport a Good Used SUV?

  • Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Honda Passport since it offers excellent reliability paired with a comfortable cabin. Owner reviews praise the advanced safety features, strong V6 engine, along with the excellent visibility out of the cabin.
  • Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are a bit basic feeling, the seats are supportive on long drives, cargo space is also great behind the second row.
  • Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2020 Honda Passport. In general, models from 20192023 are all reliable, with no major mechanical problems.
  • Performance 7/10 – Performance is good from the standard V6 engine, although it’s not a particularly fast SUV.
  • Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Passport is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, along with automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades include parking sensors.
  • Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 22 MPG, offering 429 miles of range out of the 19.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $6 higher than average at $262 per month.
  • Value 8/10  – The 2020 Honda Passport is cheaper than some other midsize SUVs on the market, with reasonable depreciation rates, making it a good value.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Kenneth A
Honda passport: modern safety and comfort.
Everything about the vehicle is modern from its exterior as well as the interior. The one problem I have with it is that when it needs to update, the car has to be in close proximity of a stable internet connection in order to update. The seats are comfortable and the leg space that is provided is good for people of any size. Other features that are great is the 'apple CarPlay' where the user can connect their smartphone to the car and the user can control some of the functions of the touchpad from their phone. Overall performance, I would give the car a 9.5/10 just because it is reliable and has many safety features such as the reverse camera, the automatic braking and locking, and so on.
accountCircle Lesley P
Not your average mom car.
Love this car. It is very reliable and safe. Has a lot more power than I thought it would. I have a lot of fun driving it. I have made several long distance trips in it and it is by far the most comfortable car I have ever driven. They do push the apple car play pretty hard, but it is a nice feature.
accountCircle Brittany M
10/10 love my Honda passport.
I love my 2020 Honda passport. I love how big the mirrors are, because it makes it very easy to see everything around me. I love the arm rests on the front seats. I love how huge the trunk is. I love the compartment under the trunk. I love how spacious the back seats are. I love literally every single thing about my car.
accountCircle Kamryn M
Honda passport: very handy and sleek.
My amazing car has leather seats which are very comfy they also are very easy to clean stuff off of. This car also has very nice wheels. A year after I bought it I had not have to change the wheels. This car has heated seats which are very handy for the winter. My car has four wheel drive so it is very handy when driving on slick roads.
accountCircle Kajidah M
In love with the passport.
I really like owning my new passport. I got it a couple months ago. It drives just like my old car, so it is very comforting. It has a good backup camera which is very helpful. It drives very smooth and is good on acceleration. I recommend this car to all my friends.
accountCircle Lori B
The best car for a family!
Drive gear is in odd place. Seat programming is great with both keys, inside of car looks amazing as well. Trunk is perfect size, best part is inside storage that can be used as cooler. Backseat has two charging ports, great for kids. Overall the car drives great and definitely recommend.
accountCircle Maddie W
Honda passport features and reliability.
I love my vehicle! The gas mileage is great. I have had it for about 3 months and have had no problems. Very reliable, the features are amazing and I haven't had any problems with it! The seats are comfortable and the design is new and looks amazing. The size is bigger than an average crossover but not as big as an SUV. Perfect for what I need it for. Love the backup camera, sun roof, and apple carplay! It makes listening to music and navigation so easy!
accountCircle Judicial Y
The best vehicle I have ever driven.
Concerning the Honda passport 2020, the only problem which I have found so far is that the speakers sometimes pop when using a lightning connector for airplay. Otherwise, the car runs completely smooth, has taken some stress and still runs like new, and has yet to feel anything but comfortable. For performance, I'd say the vehicle has very good acceleration when not in econ-mode (for obvious reasons), excellent braking, and great control. For reliability, although I have only had the vehicle for about 7 months, there has been no noticeable deterioration in any way. Comfort wise, I'd be happy driving it on super long road trips as I never really get uncomfortable in the seat. Finally, regarding features, my favorite is the cruise control which adjusts its top speed based on if there is a vehicle in front of you or not, making highway driving extremely easier since you can leave cruise control on the entire time without having to adjust it due to traffic.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Darren W
Honda passport is a good car to buy.
Well the automatic start is awesome, the a/c works very good living in hot weather, driver seats adjust automatically, plus drives very well. I really like that the rear seat will fold down with a push of button and you can open up the rear with your key or close it.

What Do Critics Say About the Honda Passport?

  • Consumer Reports says the 2020 Honda Passport offers a potent and refined V6 engine, with good owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
  • Edmunds rates the Honda Passport at 4.1/5, enjoying the spacious interior, but doesn’t like that the driver’s seat is positioned a bit too high.
  • Kelley Blue Book users give the Passport a 4.4/5, praising the standard driver aids on all models, but owners don’t like that it doesn’t offer a low-range transfer case.

What Common Problems Does the 2020 Honda Passport Have?

Common problems found on the 2020 Honda Passport include the blind spot monitor failing, a frozen stereo system, along with some reports of cracked windshields. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other midsize SUVs on the market, leading to low repair costs.

The blind spot monitor failing is the most widespread complaint from 2020 Passport owners, showing up within the first 10,000 miles. The sensors are a known weak point in the system, and wear out. Replacing the sensors costs around $600, but they are usually replaced under warranty within the first 3 years or 36,000 miles.

A frozen stereo system has also been reported by some Passport owners at around 1,000 miles. There are some software updates available for the stereo system, which improves reliability. Most dealerships will update the software for free, while others charge around $50 for labor costs.

Cracked windshields are another problem mentioned by some Passport owners within the first 20,000 miles. There was a production run of glass, which was more prone to cracking. Changing out the windshield costs around $800, depending on local labor rates.

There are no recalls on the 2020 Honda Passport, which is better than other midsize SUVs. Since the Passport has no recalls, it simply means none of the problems have been widespread or affected the safety of the vehicle.

How Long Will the 2020 Honda Passport Last?

A well-maintained 2020 Honda Passport can last around 250,000 miles, which is a bit shorter than the long-lasting Toyota 4Runner. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than many competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $351 per year.

As a used 2020 Passport reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the windshield washer fluid reservoir for $250, transfer case output shaft seal costing $300, along with the EGR valve, which costs $350.

How Is the Technology?

The standard entertainment technology is fairly basic and only includes a relatively small five-inch central display. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a more powerful ten-speaker stereo system offered.

Standard safety technology features are excellent, and include:

  • Lane keep assist
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Forward automatic emergency braking
  • Rearview camera
  • Lane departure warning
  • Forward collision warning
  • Road departure mitigation
  • Adaptive cruise control

Optional driver assistance features include:

  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • Rear cross traffic alert
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Front and rear parking sensors

Is the 2020 Honda Passport a Good Value?

Yes, the 2020 Honda Passport is a good value since it offers good reliability ratings and a practical cabin. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $25,375 to $38,950, making it less than a Subaru Outback or Toyota 4Runner. When new, the price range was $31,990 to $43,780. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 7% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Honda Passport?

There are four main models of the 2020 Honda Passport offered from the entry-level Sport through to the more luxurious Elite. The Passport comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.

Sport is the entry-level model, which has:

  • LED headlights
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • 60/40-split rear bench
  • Lane keeping assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
  • 5-inch central display
  • Seven-speaker audio system

EX-L is a step up with:

  • All features from the Sport trim
  • Power liftgate
  • Sunroof
  • Driver-seat memory settings
  • Heated and power-adjustable front seats
  • Leather upholstery
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
  • 8-inch touchscreen

Touring is more luxurious, adding:

  • All features from the EX-L trim
  • Heated rear seats
  • 10-speaker sound system
  • Hands-free liftgate
  • Parking sensors
  • Integrated navigation

Elite is the flagship model, which has:

  • All features from the Touring trim
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Wireless smartphone charging pad
car
Sport Sport
280 HP 21 MPG
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EX-L Sport
280 HP 21 MPG
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Touring Sport
280 HP 21 MPG
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Elite Sport
280 HP 21 MPG

What Engines Come In the Honda Passport?

The Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque, while getting up to 22 MPG. This engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. With this setup, the Passport can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in approximately 6.3 seconds. Additionally, when properly equipped, the Passport boasts a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for AWD models and 3,500 pounds for FWD models.

What Colors Does the Honda Passport Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Honda Passport?

The 2020 Honda Passport is notably comfortable, designed with both the driver and passengers in mind. The spacious interior provides ample legroom and headroom for all occupants, making sure even longer journeys can be undertaken without feeling cramped. The seats, upholstered in quality materials, offer supportive cushioning that’s appreciated on both short drives and cross-country road trips. The higher trim levels further elevate the experience with features such as heated and ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions.

The Passport’s suspension is finely tuned to absorb road imperfections, delivering a smooth ride even on less-than-ideal road surfaces. Noise insulation is commendable, with the cabin remaining relatively quiet, shielding occupants from road and wind noise. Add in the user-friendly infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an array of other convenience features, and it becomes clear that the 2020 Honda Passport prioritizes the comfort of its occupants.

How Much Storage Space Does the Honda Passport Have?

The 2020 Honda Passport offers impressive storage space tailored to cater to the needs of travelers and daily commuters alike. Behind the second row, there’s a spacious 41.2 cubic feet of cargo room, which is ample for a family’s worth of luggage, grocery trips, or even bulkier items like sports equipment or a stroller. When you need even more space, folding down the second row can provide up to 77.9 cubic feet, accommodating larger items like bicycles or furniture pieces.

Beyond the primary cargo area, the Passport also boasts an underfloor storage compartment that’s perfect for stashing smaller items or valuables out of sight. Furthermore, throughout the cabin, there are numerous nooks, pockets, and cup holders which enhance the interior’s practicality, making sure passengers have enough space to store their personal belongings within arm’s reach. The 2020 Honda Passport effectively combines functionality with convenience, ensuring items big and small find their rightful places.

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What Are the Differences Between Years?

The Honda Passport was reintroduced for the 2019 model year after being out of production since 2002, as a more off-road focused midsize SUV from Honda.

2019: All-new model introduced with new styling, technology, and better off-road performance than other Honda SUVs.

2020: No major changes from earlier years.

2021: Standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2022: Updated exterior styling changes, new TrailSport model introduced, Sport and Touring models removed from the lineup.

2023: Standard all-wheel drive on all models.

How Does the Honda Passport Compare to the Competition?

The 2020 Honda Passport is a great midsize SUVs since it offers outstanding reliability ratings as it ages, a practical cabin, and some excellent safety features for a vehicle in its price range.

The Honda Pilot is another midsize SUV from Honda, which costs about $1,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Honda Pilot, while the Honda Passport is more capable off-road with higher ground clearance. We recommend the Honda Passport for most people unless you need the extra space found in the Pilot.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV, which can be found for about $2,500 more. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the Honda Passport has lower ownership costs. We recommend the Honda Passport since it’s more reliable, but it’s good to test drive both to see which you prefer.

Ranks #12 Midsize SUV by Owners

1
car
4.83
2
car
4.82
12
car
4.54

Do Owners Recommend the Honda Passport?

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Kajidah M on June 20, 2021
In love with the passport.
I really like owning my new passport. I got it a couple months ago. It drives just like my old car, so it is very comforting. It has a good backup camera which is very helpful. It drives very smooth and is good on acceleration. I recommend this car to all my friends.
accountCircle Mark R on April 22, 2021
Very good car/impressive car.
Car is good to drive, fun and very nice. The car looks good, has power and very responsive. Been driving the car for 3 months now and I am very impressed how fun the car drives, haven't used the car on off road I am just afraid something bad might happen. But overall I love how the car is, inexpensive very affordable and nice too see it in your driveway. Car interiors is ok nothing fancy, ilike how the passport look like, kinda aggressive off road capable car. Fuel efficiency is ok not bad at all, cargo capacity is ok same as the pilot, info system is not bad, very accurate and easy to use, with apple carplay which is a bonus and.
accountCircle Kenneth A on March 28, 2021
Honda passport: modern safety and comfort.
Everything about the vehicle is modern from its exterior as well as the interior. The one problem I have with it is that when it needs to update, the car has to be in close proximity of a stable internet connection in order to update. The seats are comfortable and the leg space that is provided is good for people of any size. Other features that are great is the 'apple CarPlay' where the user can connect their smartphone to the car and the user can control some of the functions of the touchpad from their phone. Overall performance, I would give the car a 9.5/10 just because it is reliable and has many safety features such as the reverse camera, the automatic braking and locking, and so on.
accountCircle Sandra T on March 4, 2021
Rides great with roomy interior.
I really like the roomy interior. A lot of room to move around in the cargo space. Do not especially like the wheels mine came with, but they will do. Looks a lot like a pilot. A lot of safety features as well. Some take a little getting used to. Drives great.
accountCircle Richard E on February 2, 2021
2020 honda passport - 99 percent glad I got it!
This vehicle rides the best of any other that I have owned. The technology is at times overwhelming and I know that I am not using it to the max. I do not like the active cruise control and also do not like the fuel saver that shuts the engine off at each stop sign or red light.
accountCircle Brittany M on August 6, 2020
10/10 love my Honda passport.
I love my 2020 Honda passport. I love how big the mirrors are, because it makes it very easy to see everything around me. I love the arm rests on the front seats. I love how huge the trunk is. I love the compartment under the trunk. I love how spacious the back seats are. I love literally every single thing about my car.
accountCircle Judicial Y on July 30, 2020
The best vehicle I have ever driven.
Concerning the Honda passport 2020, the only problem which I have found so far is that the speakers sometimes pop when using a lightning connector for airplay. Otherwise, the car runs completely smooth, has taken some stress and still runs like new, and has yet to feel anything but comfortable. For performance, I'd say the vehicle has very good acceleration when not in econ-mode (for obvious reasons), excellent braking, and great control. For reliability, although I have only had the vehicle for about 7 months, there has been no noticeable deterioration in any way. Comfort wise, I'd be happy driving it on super long road trips as I never really get uncomfortable in the seat. Finally, regarding features, my favorite is the cruise control which adjusts its top speed based on if there is a vehicle in front of you or not, making highway driving extremely easier since you can leave cruise control on the entire time without having to adjust it due to traffic.
accountCircle Maddie W on July 6, 2020
Honda passport features and reliability.
I love my vehicle! The gas mileage is great. I have had it for about 3 months and have had no problems. Very reliable, the features are amazing and I haven't had any problems with it! The seats are comfortable and the design is new and looks amazing. The size is bigger than an average crossover but not as big as an SUV. Perfect for what I need it for. Love the backup camera, sun roof, and apple carplay! It makes listening to music and navigation so easy!
accountCircle Lesley P on April 30, 2020
Not your average mom car.
Love this car. It is very reliable and safe. Has a lot more power than I thought it would. I have a lot of fun driving it. I have made several long distance trips in it and it is by far the most comfortable car I have ever driven. They do push the apple car play pretty hard, but it is a nice feature.
accountCircle Darren W on February 19, 2020
Honda passport is a good car to buy.
Well the automatic start is awesome, the a/c works very good living in hot weather, driver seats adjust automatically, plus drives very well. I really like that the rear seat will fold down with a push of button and you can open up the rear with your key or close it.
accountCircle Lori B on May 29, 2019
The best car for a family!
Drive gear is in odd place. Seat programming is great with both keys, inside of car looks amazing as well. Trunk is perfect size, best part is inside storage that can be used as cooler. Backseat has two charging ports, great for kids. Overall the car drives great and definitely recommend.
accountCircle Jason S on March 11, 2019
2020 passport-a lot right. Couple of first world problems.
Ac takes a while to get the air cool. Apple carplay still requires a cord to work. I know wireless is available. At times, it will not downshift to allow for acceleration to pass cars or get on the highways. Eco-mode is a joke. Cuts out a lot of the features for fuel economy.
accountCircle Kamryn M on December 2, 2018
Honda passport: very handy and sleek.
My amazing car has leather seats which are very comfy they also are very easy to clean stuff off of. This car also has very nice wheels. A year after I bought it I had not have to change the wheels. This car has heated seats which are very handy for the winter. My car has four wheel drive so it is very handy when driving on slick roads.
avatar Alex Showalter
Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.