2024 Honda Passport

Sandwiched between the best-selling CR-V compact crossover and the larger three-row Pilot, the 2024 Honda Passport is the proverbial middle child, inconspicuously crafting its identity in the shadow of its counterparts. That's a lot of pop psychology to say the five-passenger, two-row Passport is similar to both — roomy but nimble, rugged but polished — yet occupies its own niche. The revised-for-2024 TrailSport trim further helps the Passport stand out with its all-terrain tires and trail-tuned suspension. Honda says it has revised the TrailSport's tires and suspension this year to provide additional traction while off-roading.

Passport. Just the word inspires a bit of whimsy and wanderlust. Honda's midsize SUV tries to inspire the feeling with more capability than its smaller CR-V counterpart, but with a more manageable size than the three-row Pilot family hauler. The Passport offers two rows and loads of cargo space, making it great for small families or couples with active travel or outdoor lifestyles. Standard all-wheel drive makes the Passport capable in dirt, snow or just bad weather, and the V6 engine, already a strong performer in the heavier Pilot, delivers ample power for the smaller Passport and helps it tow up to 5,000 pounds. It's also reasonably fuel-efficient at 21 mpg combined.

The Subaru Outback is more adventure wagon than SUV. Standard all-wheel drive and a high ground clearance (a half-inch more than the Honda) gives the Outback plenty of go-anywhere fortitude. You could also check out the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. It offers nearly the same cargo space as the Passport and gets some significant improvements for 2024, such as a standard 12-inch center touchscreen. Other options include the upscale Jeep Grand Cherokee or rugged Toyota 4Runner.

Edmunds added a Honda Passport to its long-term test fleet so we could get an in-depth ownership experience. Over the course of a full year, we learned what worked (versatility and cargo space) and what didn't (spoiler: infotainment and safety aids). You can read all about our experiences in our Honda Passport long-term test. Note that while we tested a 2019 model, most of our observations still apply for 2024.

This really depends on your use case. If you're the outdoor adventure type, the TrailSport is the good choice. It's not much more expensive than the base EX-L, and it adds navigation and a few other useful features. Otherwise, stick with the EX-L for the best value. Even though it's the base trim, it still comes with some upscale features such as leather upholstery and heated front seats.