Fun yet practical, the 2019 Honda Passport made a triumphant return, and it’s making a strong case as the Best Mid Sized Suv for small families. Honda brought back the Passport in 2019 after discontinuing it in 2002, and they’ve truly made it better than ever. This midsize SUV, while being the smaller sibling to the Honda Pilot, offers a unique blend of features that make it stand out. I discovered it to be spacious, comfortable, and surprisingly versatile, positioning it as a top contender in the competitive mid-sized SUV market. While my daily use involved basketball practice drop-offs and navigating school carpool lines, the 2019 Passport is also equipped to handle off-road adventures, confidently tackling mud, snow, and gravel. Its on-road performance is equally impressive, offering a smooth ride and good fuel efficiency for highway driving. Zipping around town and maneuvering into tight parking spots was a breeze in the Passport. I particularly appreciate its sporty aesthetic and the elevated driving position, which provides excellent visibility, even with its smaller SUV frame.
Spaciousness and Cargo: A Key Factor for Families
One of the standout features of the 2019 Honda Passport, and a key reason why it deserves consideration as the best mid sized SUV, is its exceptionally generous cargo space. For families, cargo capacity is paramount, and the Passport delivers in spades. The trunk boasts an impressive 41.2 cubic feet of space. Need even more room? Folding down the 2nd-row seats, a surprisingly easy process, expands the cargo area to a cavernous 78 cubic feet! A particularly thoughtful design element is the large storage bin located beneath the trunk floor. Divided into two compartments, it’s perfect for keeping items hidden or preventing packages from sliding around. This under-floor storage proved invaluable for stowing away muddy tennis shoes, and it would be equally useful for wet towels, cleats, or any other soiled athletic gear your family might accumulate. Plus, it’s designed for easy cleaning, a definite bonus for active families.
The 2019 Honda Passport doesn’t compromise on passenger space either. It comfortably seats five adults, and the rear seat is spacious enough to accommodate three child seats – a combination of two car seats and a booster seat. Having navigated the days of three car seats myself, I know how crucial rear seat space can be. Legroom is also ample; even my 5’10” daughter had no complaints, a testament to the Passport’s thoughtful interior design.
Off-Road Capability and Versatility
While my own off-roading experiences are limited to the occasional highway shoulder detour, the 2019 Honda Passport is genuinely capable for those who enjoy venturing off the beaten path. It’s equipped with multiple off-road drive modes and an all-wheel-drive system, providing versatility for various terrains. Drivers can easily switch from the standard normal drive mode to Snow, Mud, or Sand modes. These modes intelligently adjust the SUV’s performance to match the driving surface, optimizing traction, shifting behavior, torque distribution, and even the starting gear. While I might not utilize these modes frequently in my daily driving, their presence is reassuring, especially for drivers in regions with unpredictable weather conditions or those who enjoy outdoor adventures. For those living in northern climates with challenging winter driving, these modes can be a game-changer, enhancing safety and control.
Comfort isn’t sacrificed for capability. Both the driver and front passenger seats offer electric adjustments for personalized seating positions. The Elite trim elevates comfort further with heated and ventilated front seats, a welcome feature, especially during hot summer days.
Top-Notch Technology Features
The 2019 Honda Passport incorporates a suite of impressive technology features that solidify its position as a top contender in the best mid sized SUV category. These features enhance convenience, connectivity, and entertainment for both driver and passengers:
- Wireless Charging Pad: For compatible devices, this eliminates the need for charging cables, keeping the center console clutter-free.
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto: Offers seamless smartphone integration for navigation, music, calls, and messages through the car’s infotainment system.
- Push Button Start: Adds a touch of modern convenience.
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate System: Ensures personalized comfort for all passengers with separate temperature controls for the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants, along with humidity control and an air filtration system.
- Available Embedded 4G LTE WiFi: Keeps everyone connected on the go.
- 8-inch Touchscreen: Features smartphone-like functionality with swipe, tap, and pinch gestures. While it took a short time to get accustomed to, its responsiveness and usefulness became apparent quickly.
- SiriusXM 2.0: Offers advanced features like pausing, fast-forwarding, and rewinding live satellite radio.
- Multiple USB Ports and 12-Volt Outlets: Up to four USB charging ports and two 12-volt outlets ensure that everyone’s devices stay powered up.
- Navigation System with Garmin: An all-new navigation system developed in collaboration with Garmin, featuring improved graphics, speed limit display, and more. While phone-based navigation remains popular, this system offers a robust built-in alternative.
Safety First: Standard Safety Features
For families, safety is paramount, and the 2019 Honda Passport prioritizes passenger protection with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. These systems, often costly upgrades in other mid-size SUVs, come standard on the Passport, adding significant value and peace of mind.
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Automatic Emergency Braking: This system is designed to detect potential frontal collisions. If a slowdown is detected ahead and the driver doesn’t react in time, the system can automatically apply the brakes to help mitigate or avoid a collision. It’s an emergency system and not intended for everyday use, but provides an important safety net.
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Forward Collision Warning: This system alerts the driver to a potential frontal collision using visual and audible warnings, giving them extra time to react and potentially avoid or lessen the severity of an impact.
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Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning: The Lane Departure Warning system alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane unintentionally. Going a step further, the Lane Keeping Assist System actively intervenes, gently nudging the vehicle back into the center of the lane if it detects drifting, enhancing safety and reducing driver fatigue on long drives. The inclusion of both systems as standard is a significant safety advantage.
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Road Departure Mitigation: Utilizing a windshield-mounted camera, this system monitors the vehicle’s position relative to lane markings. If it detects that the vehicle is about to leave the road, it can provide steering input and braking to help prevent a road departure, a valuable feature for avoiding accidents.
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Backup Camera (with Multiple Angles): The crystal-clear backup camera provides enhanced visibility when reversing, making parking and maneuvering in tight spaces easier and safer. Multiple angle views offer a comprehensive perspective, helping to spot obstacles, even low-lying objects like children’s toys.
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Adaptive Cruise Control: Especially useful for highway driving, Adaptive Cruise Control automatically maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. It adjusts the Passport’s speed to maintain the set distance, even in stop-and-go traffic, reducing driver workload and potentially improving fuel efficiency.
Honda Passport vs. Honda Pilot: Which is the Best Mid-Sized SUV for You?
Driving the Honda Passport brought back memories of my time with the Honda Pilot. These SUVs share many similarities, and both are excellent choices. The best option truly depends on a family’s specific needs and priorities. Surprisingly, the decision isn’t solely based on price.
At the base level, the larger Honda Pilot, with its third row and eight-passenger capacity, is actually slightly less expensive than the Passport. The Pilot LX starts at a lower price point than the comparable Passport Sport. The Passport, however, offers more standard safety equipment and enhanced off-road capabilities. Conversely, when comparing higher trim levels, the Passport becomes more affordable. The Passport Elite is notably less expensive than the Pilot Elite. Ultimately, the better value proposition depends on family size, activity levels, and cargo requirements. For larger families needing maximum passenger capacity, the Pilot may be more suitable. However, for smaller families prioritizing space, capability, and advanced features in a slightly more compact package, the 2019 Honda Passport stands out as a compelling choice and a strong contender for the best mid sized SUV.
The 2019 Honda Passport offers a compelling package for small families seeking a versatile, spacious, and well-equipped mid-sized SUV. Its blend of cargo space, off-road capability, technology, and safety features positions it as a top contender in its class and a worthy option to consider when searching for the best mid sized SUV to meet your family’s needs.
By Maria Smith
