2023 Honda Passport Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

The 2023 Honda Passport is a rugged midsize SUV with room for five passengers. There's also plenty of space for cargo, with 50.5 cubic-feet of room while all five seats are occupied. Once the backseats are folded down, the cargo area can be expanded up to an impressive 100.8 cubic-feet of space. The Honda Passport will be available in three different trim levels for 2023. All three are equipped with the same motor and transmission system.

All-wheel drive is standard for all three trim levels of the Passport. This gives the SUV respectable off-road capabilities. It's quite the capable vehicle and can even tow up to 5,000 pounds with the right equipment and setup. The three trim levels are virtually identical when it comes to their performance specs and mechanical features. The major differences come from the convenience, entertainment and safety features that each trim offers. Even the base model comes loaded with standard features, making this SUV a great value.

In this article, each model of the 2023 Honda Passport will be compared to the trim level before and after it. If you're searching for a new midsize SUV, you really can't go wrong with the Honda Passport. It provides the kind of reliability and quality that Honda is known for. Chances are, you'll be happy with any model of this SUV. Still, this information should be helpful in deciding which model is the best to meet your specific needs.

Compare the EX-L vs TrailSport Trims. What Is the Difference?

The first two trim levels of the 2023 Passport are called the EX-L and the TrailSport. All trims are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with direct injection plus 24 valves. This setup makes 280 horsepower with 262 pound-feet of torque. All Honda Passports have a combined fuel-economy rating of 24 miles-per-gallon regardless of the trim level. The standard transmission system is an automatic 9-speed. Every model comes stock with AWD (all-wheel drive) and Intelligent Variable Torque Management.

The Passport Engine has Idle/Stop technology to increase its efficiency. There's also an engine immobilizer that shuts the vehicle down if it's stolen. An EcoAssist system further improves fuel efficiency, while the Hill-Start Assist aids the driver while sitting on an incline. This SUV also gets Remote Engine Start and Intelligent Traction Management. The traction system comes with special settings for snow, mud or sand.

Active Noise Cancellation mitigates engine noise and makes for a quieter ride. There are MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension system. There's also a stabilizer bar for the front and the rear. This provides a silky smooth ride over paved roads and most terrain. The EX-L has 20-inch alloy wheels while the TrailSport comes with 18-inch alloys. Both trims get all-season tires, but the TrailSport's are a bit more rugged.

Honda throws in a compact spare for every model of the Passport. All three trims are 189.1-inches long, 78.6-inches wide and 72.2-inches tall. The wheelbase is 110.91 inches. On the inside, there's 39.5-inches of headroom up front and 40-inches of headroom in the back. The legroom comes in at 40.9-inches up front and 39.6-inches in the back. The rear seats provide plenty of room and are easy to access. Overall, the Passport offers 114.9 cubic-feet of passenger space.

On the outside of these SUVs, you'll find LED projector headlights with an On/Off feature. Both trims get variable intermittent windshield wipers up front and a wiper plus washer for the rear window. Each model has privacy glass for the back windows and dual exhaust finishers. The EX-L and TrailSport have power-operated outside mirrors with a heating feature. The mirrors also get integrated turn signals and a memory feature.

The Passport has a body-colored spoiler on the roof-line along with an integrated brake light. All models get a power-operated moon-roof with a tilt feature. Walk-Away Lock is a feature that does exactly what it sounds like. The first two trim levels use acoustic glass for the windshield, giving the vehicle some extra sound proofing. These trim levels also have power-operated tailgates for simple access to the back cargo hold.

Moving up to the TrailSport model comes with some extras on the outside. This trim gets LED fog lights that can cut through all kinds of extreme weather. It also gets a heated wiper zone. The TrailSport even gets roof rails for some extra storage space when needed. For the interior, the first two trims get a 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar support and a 4-way power seat for the front passenger. The front seats are also heated in both trims.

The EX-L model has leather-trimmed seats. The TrailSport has similar upholstery with some extra orange stitching. There are adjustable seat-belt anchors up front and head restraints for all five seat positions. The rear seat is a 60/40 split-bench with a one-touch fold-down feature. Expanding the storage area is fast and painless. Both models have power windows, power locks and push-button start.

These two trims have the same infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. There's a 215-watt stereo that is setup for HD radio as well as Sirius XM satellite radio. This audio setup has seven speakers, including a subwoofer for deep, rich bass sounds. The Passport offers wireless charging for smartphones. The infotainment system is also compatible with popular apps by Apple and Android. Bluetooth allows for hands-free phone calls and easy music streaming.

The EX-L has a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The TrailSport once again gets some extra orange stitching for the leather. There's a Tri-Zone Climate-Control System air filtration and a humidity-control feature. Heater ducts in the rear ensure everyone stays warm during the cold winter months. Each model of the Passport gets a HomeLink® Remote System. The TrailSport adds on amber-colored ambient lighting for the interior.

These two trim levels get all of the same exact safety features. This includes passive and active features. It also includes a good number of modern driver-assist features. The common passive features include an advanced airbag system, 3-point seat belts and an Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. There are front, side-mounted and knee airbags, as well as a side-curtain airbag. The ACE structure channels crash energy away from the driver and passengers in the unfortunate event of a collision.

Some of the noteworthy active safety features include Anti-Locking Brakes and Electronic Brake Distribution. There's a Tire-Pressure Monitoring System and Multi-Angle Rear-View Camera. There are also LED Daytime Running Lamps to make the Passport more visible. Every model of the 2023 Honda Passport has Honda Sensing Driver-Assist Features. This suite of technology includes features like Forward-Collision Warning, Lane-Departure Warning and a Blind-Spot Information System.

The Passport has parking sensors up front and in the rear to make parking safer. Auto High Beams kick in automatically to make sure the driver has a clear view of the road. Adaptive Cruise Control helps the SUV to stay safely behind the next vehicle as you cruise. Honda also equips every Passport SUV with Collision Mitigation Braking and a Road-Departure Mitigation System.

Compare the TrailSport vs Elite Trim Levels. What Is the Difference?

Honda calls their 2023 Passport's top trim the Elite. While they don't improve on the performance specs, the Elite models do add on some nice extra features. The engine, transmission and suspension are the same as those found on the previous trims. All of the mechanical and engineering specs carry over from the TrailSport model. For the exterior, the Elite models get a set of 20-inch machine-finished alloy wheels with glossy black inserts. It features the same all-terrain tires and spare as the base model of the Passport.

Hands-free functionality gets added to the power tailgate. This makes it even easier to load or unload cargo. The acoustic glass that was previously only used in the windshield now gets applied to all of the windows. The outside mirrors get an auto-dimming feature. This prevents glare from headlights interfering with the driver's vision. This Elite version of the Passport also gets rain-sensing wipers up front.

On the inside, the Elite models get upgraded upholstery. The seats are now covered in fine, perforated leather. This trim level once again has heated seats up front, but also adds heating for the rear outboard seats. The orange stitching found on the TrailSport models gets removed. Otherwise, the seats are basically the same with power adjustments and lumbar support. The Tri-Zone Climate-Control System now has extra controls for the second-row passengers.

The Elite adds white ambient lighting for the interior. There's now an extra sunglasses holder with a conversation mirror. There are extra pockets on the rear of the driver's seat and front-passenger seat. These are in addition to the larger pockets found on the previous two trim levels. They're designed specifically to hold smartphones, tablets and other devices.

The infotainment system is mostly the same as before, but the audio system gets a nice upgrade. The stereo is a 540-watt model by Alpine. There are now ten speakers, once again including a subwoofer. The Elite trim level has HondaLink® Subscription Services and Wi-Fi® Hotspot Capabilities. This model gets a navigation system that is linked to Honda satellites. The satellite system also provides traffic info in real time.

The Elite gets Voice-Recognition Technology. This means the owner can operate a number of infotainment functions with a simple voice command. It's worth noting here that the Passport also has extra audio controls conveniently mounted on the steering wheel. When it comes to the safety features, there's no significant difference between the TrailSport and Elite models.

Final Thoughts

The base model of the 2023 Honda Passport offers great value. The EX-L has a good amount of desirable features. It also helps that it has the lowest price of the three models. The TrailSport is the top-selling model of the Passport. The price difference between these two is negligible. Most buyers will find it worth the small cost increase for the extras. Keep in mind that all three trim levels perform and handle the same. They also have most of the same safety features and driver-assist technology. Which one is the best largely depends on what features the buyer can or cannot live without.

The Elite model is once again only a modest jump in price when compared to the previous trim level. For this reason, it's the best buy of them all. It provides all of the best features and technology that Honda has to offer. The upgraded audio system alone will be well worth the price increase for many buyers. It's an audiophiles dream come true. The built-in navigation system and available WiFi Hotspot are also features that many buyers won't want to live without. The Elite is the easy recommendation here.