From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Isuzu MU Wizard. (Discuss)

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007)

Honda Passport

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

First generation

Production	1993–1997
Engine(s)	2.6L 120 hp (89 kW) I4 3.2L 175 hp (130 kW) V6
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2756 mm)
Length	176.5 in (4483 mm)
Width	66.5 in (1689 mm) 68.5 in (1740 mm) (EX)
Height	65.5 in (1664 mm) 66.3 in (1684 mm) (EX)
Fuel capacity	21.9 US gallons (82.9 L; 18.2 imp gal)
Related	Isuzu Rodeo

Second generation

Production	1998–2002
Engine(s)	3.2L 205 hp (153 kW) V6
Wheelbase	106.4 in (2703 mm)
Length	178.2 in (2000-02) 177.4 in (4506 mm) (1998-99) 184.1 in (4676 mm) (1998-99 EX) 184.2 in (4679 mm) (2000-02 EX)
Width	70.4 in (1788 mm) 71.1 in (1806 mm) (2000-02 EX)
Height	68.5 in (1740 mm) (1998-99 LX) 68.8 in (1748 mm) (2000-02)
Fuel capacity	21.1 US gallons (79.9 L; 17.6 imp gal)
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). It sold quite well in the regions of the US such as the Pacific Northwest against competitors such as the truck-based Nissan Pathfinder. However Honda dealers today exclude the Passport (and hybrid Insight) from guaranteed trade-in value promotions, implying that the resale value is weaker than most other Hondas as many buyers recognize that it is a rebadged Isuzu.

The Honda version was discontinued after 2002, replaced by the Accord-based Pilot. 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.

[edit] External links

• Honda Passport Review
• IIHS Crash Test