Is a Honda Passport a truck?
Not exactly. The Honda Passport is a two‑row midsize SUV (a crossover by many standards), not a pickup truck.
The Passport sits in Honda’s lineup as a rugged, family‑oriented SUV built on a unibody platform, prioritizing passenger space, cargo versatility, and on‑road comfort over the traditional truck duties of a bed‑loaded, body‑on‑frame vehicle. While it shares some DNA with Honda’s Pilot and offers strong towing and capable all‑weather performance, it does not feature a dedicated pickup bed or the body‑on‑frame construction typically associated with trucks.
Classification and design
Below is a concise look at how the Passport is built and how that shapes its classification in the market.
- Body style: two‑row midsize SUV
- Platform: unibody construction shared with the Honda Pilot
- Bed: there is no pickup bed; it’s designed for people and cargo instead
- Drivetrain: available in front‑wheel drive or all‑wheel drive
- Powertrain: 3.5‑liter V6 engine paired with a 9‑speed automatic transmission
- Towing: capable of towing up to about 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration
- Seating: typically seats five passengers
In short, the Passport functions as a family‑friendly SUV with rugged styling and solid everyday capability, rather than as a pickup with a cargo bed and a payload focus.
How it contrasts with trucks
To understand the distinction, it helps to compare core design goals and physical features that define each category.
- Construction: Passport uses unibody construction; most traditional trucks rely on body‑on‑frame architecture for durability under heavy payloads
- Bed vs cabin: no dedicated cargo bed on the Passport; trucks have a separate bed for hauling
- Primary use: Passport emphasizes passenger space and everyday utility; trucks emphasize payload, towing with a bed, and off‑road capability in some models
- Ride and handling: passports typically offer smoother on‑road comfort; some trucks prioritize ruggedness and payload handling, which can compromise ride comfort
- Market positioning: Passport sits among other two‑row SUVs; true trucks compete in a pickup segment with models like the Honda Ridgeline (which is itself a unibody pickup) and other brands’ pickups
Taken together, these differences reinforce how the Passport is categorized as an SUV rather than a truck. If a true pickup is needed, Honda offers the Ridgeline, a pickup with a bed, though it also uses the unibody platform rather than a traditional body‑on‑frame design like some competitive pickups.
Bottom line
Bottom line: the Honda Passport is not a pickup truck. It is a two‑row midsize SUV built on a unibody platform, with around five seats, substantial cargo space, and a towing capacity that suits family trips and light towing. For those who specifically need a pickup bed, Honda’s Ridgeline fills that niche, while the Passport remains oriented toward passengers and versatile cargo in a passenger‑car‑like package.
Summary
In essence, the Passport serves as Honda’s rugged, family‑friendly SUV rather than a true truck. It offers strong towing capability and off‑road‑leaning styling within a unibody, five‑passenger chassis, but it lacks a pickup bed and body‑on‑frame construction. For buyers seeking a conventional pickup in Honda’s lineup, the Ridgeline is the closest option, while the Passport stands out as a capable, comfortable SUV choice.
