Honda Passport

Manufacturer	Isuzu Motors
Production	1994–2002
Assembly	Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Successor	Honda Pilot
Class	Compact SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual

First generation

Production	1993–1997 Chassis C_58E C_58V C_58W
Engine	2.6L 120 hp (89 kW) I4 3.2L 175 hp (130 kW) V6
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2,756 mm)
Length	176.5 in (4,483 mm)
Width	66.5 in (1,689 mm) 68.5 in (1,740 mm) (EX)
Height	65.5 in (1,664 mm) 66.3 in (1,684 mm) (EX)
Related	Isuzu Rodeo

Second generation

Production	1998–2002 Chassis _M58W CK58W
Engine	3.2L 205 hp (153 kW) V6
Wheelbase	106.4 in (2,703 mm)
Length	178.2 in (2000-02) 177.4 in (4,506 mm) (1998-99) 184.1 in (4,676 mm) (1998-99 EX) 184.2 in (4,679 mm) (2000-02 EX)
Width	70.4 in (1,788 mm) 71.1 in (1,806 mm) (2000-02 EX)
Height	68.5 in (1,740 mm) (1998-99 LX) 68.8 in (1,748 mm) (2000-02)
Related	Isuzu Rodeo Isuzu Axiom

The Honda Passport was a compact SUV produced by Isuzu, released in 1994, as Honda's first entry in the truck market for the United States. Built and designed solely by Isuzu, who sold it as the Rodeo, it was seen as a "quick fix" entry into the growing SUV market in the United States. It was essentially an SUV wagon version of the Isuzu pickup truck, similar to the Jeep Cherokee and Mitsubishi Montero Sport. It was nicely appointed, but reviews called the design a bit behind the times, as crossover and more refined trucks had evolved (such as the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, which were not directly based on pickup truck platforms).

The Passport was part of a growing partnership between Isuzu and Honda in the 1990s. As the recession began to take hold in Japan, known as the "bubble economy", Isuzu was affected particularly hard, and after a corporate restructuring, Isuzu decided to abandon passenger car production and focus on commercial truck and SUV production. Isuzu supplied Honda with SUVs (in addition to producing Passports, Isuzu also provided Honda with Trooper SUVs to be sold as the Acura SLX) and Honda supplied Isuzu with cars - in particular the Isuzu Gemini (Honda Civic; Japan-market only) and Isuzu Oasis (Honda Odyssey (international)). It sold quite well in the regions of the US such as the Pacific Northwest against competitors such as the truck-based Nissan Pathfinder.

For the second generation (1998–2002) two trim levels were produced [LX] and upscale [EX], "EX" had the spare tire below the cargo area, and "LX" mounted in a swing carrier at rear. Minor changes for 2000 model included 2-tone exterior colors, and 16" wheels optional for "LX".

The Honda version was discontinued after 2002, replaced by Honda Pilot. The Pilot also replaced the Isuzu Rodeo as part of Isuzu's withdrawal from Canada at the time. This loss of market would factor into Isuzu discontinuing not only the Rodeo, but also the Axiom and sales of all Isuzu-designed passenger vehicles in the US.

External links

• Honda Passport Review
• IIHS Crash Test