What is the difference between Honda Passport Sport and EX-L?
In brief, the Sport is the value-oriented, sport-inspired trim with cloth seating and fewer luxury touches, while the EX-L is the more upscale option with leather upholstery and extra convenience features.
Both trims share the same core drivetrain and safety framework, but they diverge in interior materials, comfort features, and available equipment. This article explains how the two variants differ in daily use, pricing, and overall feel, with notes on year-to-year variations.
Common ground: shared foundations
Across recent model years, the Passport Sport and EX-L rely on the same underpinnings and technology package. This section covers what stays the same so you can compare the trims on an apples-to-apples basis.
- Engine and drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission; optional all-wheel drive (AWD) or front-wheel drive (FWD) depending on configuration.
- Platform and capability: Five-seat layout with flexible cargo space and a similar overall footprint for both trims.
- Infotainment: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility via a touchscreen interface on recent model years.
- Safety tech: Honda Sensing driver-assist features are included on most recent model years for both trims, supporting things like forward collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control.
In practical terms, performance, towing capability (where applicable), and the core tech package align closely between Sport and EX-L; the delta comes down to interior materials, comfort features, and extra conveniences.
Interior and comfort: upholstery and seating
Where the Sport and EX-L diverge most visibly is inside the cabin, where seating materials, seat adjustment, and comfort equipment shape the daily experience.
Upholstery and seating
The Sport leans toward a sportier, value-focused interior with cloth upholstery and typically manual seat adjustments; the EX-L moves up with leather-trim seats and a power-adjustable driver’s chair (often with additional adjustments and sometimes a power passenger seat).
- Sport: Cloth seats with manual or less extensive power adjustments, focusing on durability and value.
- EX-L: Leather-trim seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and often a leather-wrapped steering wheel for a more premium feel.
These interior choices directly impact daily comfort, especially on longer drives or weekly commutes.
Exterior and convenience features
Exterior styling cues and convenience equipment help buyers tell the trims apart at a glance, and they influence daily usability as well.
Styling and ease of use
The Sport emphasizes sportier visual touches and sometimes darker trim, while the EX-L adopts a more premium, refined appearance with brighter trim accents. Convenience features also tend to be more abundant on EX-L, though specifics vary by model year and market.
- Exterior aesthetics: Sport-focused styling with darker accents; EX-L tends toward chrome/brighter accents for a more upscale look.
- Wheels and stance: Sport commonly features sport-oriented wheel designs; EX-L uses upgraded wheels with a more polished appearance.
- Convenience touches: EX-L frequently includes features like a power liftgate or enhanced interior trim; Sport may rely on simpler/cost-conscious offerings, depending on the year and package.
Given year-to-year changes, verify the exact exterior and convenience equipment on the specific model you’re considering.
Technology, safety, and value
Technology and safety features—along with the price gap between trims—shape ongoing ownership costs and perceived value.
Tech, safety, and value proposition
Both trims deliver the core Honda infotainment suite and standard driver assists, but EX-L typically supplements with more premium interior features and, in some years, upgraded audio or display options. Pricing premium generally reflects these upgrades, though exact figures vary by year, region, and packages.
- Infotainment: Both trims support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; higher-end displays or optional upgrades may appear on EX-L depending on the year.
- Safety: Honda Sensing features are standard across recent Passport trims, offering assistance like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping aids; exact feature sets can vary by year.
- Pricing and value: EX-L carries a premium over Sport due to leather seating and additional comfort features; the gap shifts with model year, optional packages, and regional pricing.
For buyers, the choice often comes down to whether the extras in the EX-L justify the higher price, or whether the Sport’s leaner feature set better matches their budget and priorities.
Summary
Across recent model years, the Honda Passport Sport and EX-L share core performance and safety foundations, but the EX-L steps up with leather seating, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and additional convenience features. The Sport emphasizes value, sport-inspired styling, and a simpler interior. Prospective buyers should confirm the exact equipment lists for their year and market, since feature availability can vary by year and option packages. Overall, the choice comes down to interior feel, comfort features, and how much premium you want to pay for extra conveniences.
