Will the 2025 Honda Passport have a V6 engine?
Currently, there is no official confirmation that the 2025 Honda Passport will change from a V6; the 2024 Passport uses a 3.5-liter V6, and Honda has not released 2025 powertrain details. This article reviews what is known, what industry watchers are saying, and what buyers can expect as Honda heads toward model-year 2025.
Current engine setup in the Passport
The Passport's powertrain has long centered on Honda's venerable 3.5-liter V6, paired with a nine-speed automatic and available all-wheel drive. Here are the core specs that define the current engine lineup:
- 3.5-liter V6 i-VTEC engine delivering about 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Performance and towing capability that positions the Passport as a capable weekend SUV
In everyday driving, the V6 provides robust power for highway merging and towing, though it comes with lower fuel economy than four-cylinder rivals in some configurations. Official EPA numbers vary by drivetrain and trim.
What could happen with the 2025 model
With no official word yet from Honda on the 2025 Passport’s powertrain, observers are watching several possible directions. Here are the main scenarios analysts are considering:
- Carryover V6: Honda could extend the current 3.5-liter V6 into the 2025 Passport, keeping the familiar powertrain for buyers who value performance and towing ability.
- Turbocharged four-cylinder: A modern 2.0- or 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder could replace the V6 to improve efficiency while preserving strong on-road performance.
- Hybrid option: Given Honda’s push toward electrification, a hybrid variant—potentially sharing tech with the hybrid CR-V or Pilot—could appear to boost efficiency without sacrificing power.
- Hybrid+PHEV variant unlikely but possible: Some markets and models see plug-in hybrid options; a Passport PHEV would be a broader move toward electrification, though not confirmed.
Honda has not commented publicly on any of these paths for the 2025 Passport, so the actual powertrain remains to be announced. Until a formal reveal, buyers should plan around the current V6 lineup and watch for official confirmation.
Why a V6 might stay (and why it could go)
Proponents of keeping the V6 argue that the Passport’s rugged, midsize SUV role and towing prospects benefit from the V6’s robust low-end grunt and linear power delivery. Critics note that a turbocharged four- or hybrid setup would improve fuel efficiency and meet evolving emissions standards, while still delivering strong performance when needed. The decision will hinge on regulatory requirements, market demand, and the cost/benefit balance of engineering a new drivetrain for the model.
Summary
As of now, Honda has not released official details about the 2025 Passport’s powertrain. The 2024 Passport continues to use a 3.5-liter V6 with a nine-speed automatic and optional all-wheel drive. Expect official announcements in the coming months that will confirm whether Honda preserves the V6, replaces it with a turbocharged four, or introduces a hybrid variant for the Passport in 2025. Until then, the V6 remains the standard-bearer for those seeking towing and on-road performance in Honda’s rugged midsize SUV.
