Honda Passport
Honda Passport
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| Manufacturer | Isuzu Motors |
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| 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 |
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| Production | 1993–1997 Chassis C_58E C_58V C_58W |
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| 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 |
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| Production | 1998–2002 Chassis _M58W CK58W |
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| 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, in which 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[disambiguation needed]). 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.
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