Did Isuzu make the Honda Passport?
The Honda Passport is a well-known SUV that has been a part of Honda's lineup for decades. However, many car enthusiasts and curious buyers often wonder about its origins, particularly whether Isuzu played a role in its production. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the Honda Passport and its connection to Isuzu.
The First Generation Honda Passport
The first generation of the Honda Passport, introduced in 1993, was indeed manufactured by Isuzu. During the 1990s, Honda and Isuzu entered into a partnership to share resources and expand their market presence. As part of this collaboration, Honda rebadged the Isuzu Rodeo and sold it as the Honda Passport in North America.
This arrangement allowed Honda to quickly enter the growing SUV market without having to develop a new model from scratch. The Passport was essentially an Isuzu Rodeo with Honda branding, featuring the same design, engine options, and overall build quality.
The End of the Partnership
By the early 2000s, Honda decided to end its partnership with Isuzu and began developing its own SUVs. The first-generation Passport was discontinued in 2002, and Honda replaced it with the Honda Pilot, a fully in-house design that better aligned with Honda's engineering and branding goals.
The Return of the Honda Passport
In 2019, Honda revived the Passport nameplate, but this time it was a completely Honda-engineered vehicle. The modern Passport is a midsize SUV built on the same platform as the Honda Pilot and Ridgeline, with no connection to Isuzu.
Key Takeaways
- The first-generation Honda Passport (1993-2002) was a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo, manufactured by Isuzu as part of a partnership with Honda.
- Honda ended its collaboration with Isuzu in the early 2000s and began producing its own SUVs.
- The current Honda Passport, reintroduced in 2019, is entirely designed and built by Honda, with no ties to Isuzu.
Understanding the history of the Honda Passport highlights how automakers often collaborate to meet market demands. While the first-generation Passport was a product of Honda and Isuzu's partnership, the modern Passport is a testament to Honda's evolution and independence in SUV design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Isuzu discontinued?
On 30 January 2008, Isuzu announced its complete withdrawal from the US market, effective 31 January 2009. It would continue to provide support and parts. The decision was due to lack of sales. Some of the lack of sales was blamed on consumer experiences with low quality engines and service.
What is the most common problem with the Honda Passport?
Common problems: Some of the most common issues with the 2020 Honda Passport include electrical system malfunctions, brake problems, and transmission issues.
What is the Honda version of the Isuzu Trooper?
The Acura SLX was a lightly upgraded and rebadged Isuzu Trooper sold by the Acura division of Honda from 1995 to 1999, as 1996 to 1999 year models. Sold only in the United States, the SLX was later replaced by the Acura MDX in 2001.
Who is Isuzu owned by?
Official name: Isuzu Motors Ltd (Isuzu Jidōsha Kabushiki- Kaisha). Owned by: Mostly Japanese banks (71.5%), plus Isuzu Motors Ltd (13.0%), Mitsubishi Corp. (7.50%), ITOCHU Corp (6.24%), Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd (4.94%) and small private shareholders. Formerly owned by: General Motors (49%) and Toyota (5.89%).
Are Isuzu and Honda the same?
In the past, Isuzu has sold vehicles that were partially built by GM, Honda, Nissan, and others. At the same time, Isuzu has produced and continues to produce diesel engines for dozens of manufacturers. Today, the best answer to the question, “Who makes Isuzu trucks?” is Isuzu itself!
Who makes the Isuzu?
(Japanese: いすゞ自動車株式会社, Hepburn: Isuzu Jidōsha Kabushiki-Kaisha), commonly known as Isuzu (Japanese pronunciation: [isɨᵝzɨᵝ], /iˈsuzu/), is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Why did they stop making Isuzu Trooper?
Isuzu stopped manufacturing the Trooper in 2002 due to low sales volumes.
Is the Honda Passport made by Isuzu?
The Passport was a part of a partnership between Isuzu and Honda in the 1990s, which saw an exchange of passenger vehicles from Honda to Isuzu, such as the Isuzu Oasis, and trucks from Isuzu to Honda, such as the Passport and Acura SLX.
Does the Honda Passport have a Honda engine?
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Honda's 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a 10-speed automatic is the sole available powertrain. Peak Torque of 262 pound-feet arrives at a rather lofty 5000 rpm. If those numbers sound familiar, it's likely because the same engine and transmission are used in the Pilot SUV.
Who made the Honda Passport?
Isuzu
The Honda Passport was a midsized SUV produced by Isuzu, starting with the 1994 model, as Honda's first entry in the truck market for the United States, and only sold in the United States. Built and designed solely by Isuzu, who sold it as the Rodeo which was essentially a SUV wagon version of the Isuzu pickup truck.
