The SUV that was born from a corporate marriage
In short: In the 1990s, Honda didn't actually build its first American SUV. Instead, it entered the market by rebadging a vehicle from a partner company. This strategic move defined the Passport’s early identity before it eventually evolved into a purpose-built, US-designed crossover.
To enter the expanding US SUV sector, Honda launched its initial model, the Passport, during 1993 for the 1994 production cycle. However, it was not an original Honda design; it was a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo. This was part of a strategic partnership where Honda and Isuzu exchanged vehicles—Honda provided passenger cars like the Oasis to Isuzu, while Isuzu provided trucks like the Passport to Honda. The arrangement was born of necessity: Isuzu had discontinued passenger car production in 1993 due to restructuring, and Honda desperately needed an SUV presence.
The first two generations were manufactured by Subaru Isuzu Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana. During this era, the Passport utilized various components from other manufacturers, including rear axles built by General Motors or Dana 44 units. It wasn't until the third generation in 2019 that the vehicle underwent a radical shift. This model was designed in the United States and manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, alongside the Honda Pilot. While it shares architecture with the Pilot, the Passport is shorter and lacks the third-row seating to fill a specific gap left by the discontinued Honda Crosstour.
The name 'Passport' itself has roots in Honda's motorcycle division, specifically the C75 Passport. The brand has since leaned into its rugged identity, notably with the 2021 introduction of the TrailSport trim—the first of its kind for Honda. This trim emphasizes off-road capabilities with unique suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and steel skid plates. Interestingly, while most modern Passports are sold in North America, they will begin appearing in Japan in 2026 as US imports with their original left-hand drive configuration.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Honda Passport
- Also: Wikidata — Honda Passport · CC0
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