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The enhanced trim of TrailSport can be a good choice if you want a mild beaten path adventure. Here’s how the upcoming 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport possibly retains this offered ride.
Honda realizes that sometimes it’s important to experiment and take risks, which has become the reason of the TrailSport release. Being only introduced at the launch of the most recent model year of this SUV, this off-road inspired trim emerged as the manufacturer’s attempt to break into the segment. Take a look at how the 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport is potentially going to unfurl soon.
Inside View of the TrailSport
Hardcore off-road focused vehicle is not really something offered by Honda. There is no equivalent of the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco in the lineup of this Japanese automobile company. However, the TrailSport trim might be the closest thing you can get if you want to venture into slight mud or local two-track with the Passport. In the market, it competes directly with lightly upgraded utility cars like the Outback Wilderness, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-50, or perhaps Ford Explorer Timberline.
The 2022 Passport TrailSport was dismissed by a lot of critics within the industry, by being said to offer upgrades mostly for its outer appearance. The visual treatment package received by this trim is including a shiny black badging and grille and TrailSport emblems with orange accents. The orange tone stretches into the interior application as well, bring contrasting stitches and embroidered headrests that beautify the practical and spacious cabin.
Also included were trim-specific bumpers with synthetic skid plate inserts, greater 18” wheels that make the 2-row SUV widens its track by 0.4”, and wheels wrapper for the all-season tires that should perform better than the other Passport trims. Unlike the Pilot’s TrailSport variant, the Passport’s one doesn’t receive suspension lift.
Possible 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport Redesign
Under the hood, the 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport is expected to be powered by the same powertrain—also a similar engine as the other trim grades within the model lineup: a 3.5L V6 engine that’s capable of generating 280 horsepower. This engine is combined with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It has quite outstanding weight of the steering wheel, confident and responsive handling, even though the braking can get better works.
At nearly 4,230 lbs., the TrailSport can launch to 60 mph within 6 seconds only. This positioned the Passport at the sharper side of the 2-row mid-size crossover SUV class, offering a bit more excellence than the Kia Sorento SX or Chevy Blazer RS.
The 2023 Honda Passport, according to the manufacturer’s standard, falls on the performance-focused side which explains the stiffer suspension. That being said, the car manages small impacts and body movements well. The ride is comfortable and quiet inside the cabin, but may get noisier and windier when it gets into the highway speeds.
Fuel economy-wise, the TrailSport receives similar EPA estimation ratings as the other trim levels at 19/24 mpg city/highway for the AWD variant.
In a fashion that’s very Honda-like, the Passport receives plenty of standard driver assistance features. These include but not limited to rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. These features are expected to show up in the 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport.
The Future of The TrailSport
The world got its very first glimpse of the TrailSport through the Honda’s Rugged Roads Project. this includes upgraded features such as larger tires, aftermarket lift kit, and many more.
Up to this point, the manufacturer upgrades for the project are limited to 18” or 20” HPD wheels, rocker panel moldings, and plastic fender flares. That being said, the Japanese automaker promises to bring grander upgrades for the TrailSport for the upcoming releases. This may include new parts and models that possibly sport updated AWD system, boosted suspensions, and more rugged off-road equipment.
The TrailSport treatment is most likely to be given to the Honda Ridgeline next. The badge sported in the Passport TrailSport also possibly received by the variant in the CR-V and Pilot lineups. In the market, the TrailSport rivals the other packages, such as the XRT for the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Timberline for the Ford Explorer.
The Honda Passport is not getting younger overtime;however, the manufacturer deserves some praises for continually develop this model. The 2023 Honda Passport TrailSport will be at only its second production year for the next model year and it’s going to be interesting to see how far Honda brings its off-road side in the future.