When did they stop making the Honda Passport?
The original Honda Passport ended production in 1998, and the Passport name was revived in 2019 for a modern two-row SUV that is still in production today.
This article covers the two distinct eras of the Passport: the late-1990s original and the 2019+ revival, explains why the first ended, how the name came back, where the current model is built, and what buyers can expect today.
Two eras of the Honda Passport
Original run (1993–1998)
The first Honda Passport was introduced in North America in the early 1990s as a badge-engineered variant of the Isuzu Rodeo. It was marketed as a rugged, mid-sized SUV and remained on sale through the 1998 model year before Honda discontinued it as part of a broader shift in its SUV lineup.
Key milestones in the original era include:
- 1993: Honda launches the Passport in North America, leveraging the Rodeo’s platform for a more adventurous image.
- 1998: Honda ends production of the original Passport in the United States and Canada due to sales and strategic realignment.
In short, the Passport nameplate in its first form ran from 1993 to 1998 before being discontinued.
Revival and current production (2019–present)
After more than two decades, Honda revived the Passport as a modern, two-row SUV designed to slot between the CR-V and the Pilot. The revived Passport shares its underpinnings with the Pilot and is built in Honda’s North American manufacturing network.
Key milestones in the revival era include:
- 2018: Honda confirms plans to bring back the Passport with a 2019 model year, signaling a new, more rugged two-row option.
- 2019: The Passport returns to showrooms, produced in Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama plant, and marketed as a more capable, but roomier, alternative to two-row rivals.
- 2020–present: The Passport continues in production with incremental updates and new trim options, maintaining its position as Honda’s mid-size, two-row SUV.
Today’s Passport is positioned as a practical, off-road‑leaning two-row SUV built on the Pilot’s platform, powered by a V6 and paired with a multi‑speed automatic transmission, and offered with available all-wheel drive.
What this means for buyers today
For buyers, the Passport’s current form represents a distinct product from the original 1990s model. It offers more cargo and passenger space than smaller crossovers, a higher driving position, and enhanced capability without a third row of seats. It remains a separate option within Honda’s lineup, sitting between the CR-V and the Pilot in size and capability.
Summary
The Honda Passport name stopped the original run in 1998, after five model years of production. The name reappeared in 2019 as a new two-row SUV built on the Pilot platform and continues in production today, reflecting Honda’s satisfaction with a niche that blends practicality, space, and a touch of rugged capability for on- and off-road use.
