Honda’s Passport gets a styling refresh for 2022, along with a $5,080 price increase for the most inexpensive model.
The automaker said Monday that it is discontinuing the budget Sport trim when the 2022 model goes on sale sometime this winter. The 2021 Passport Sport starts at $34,015 with shipping, while the 2022 entry point is the EX-L trim with a starting price of $39,095 with shipping.
Honda didn’t give specifics on why the Sport trim is being discontinued on the midsize crossover.
The bigger 2022 Pilot crossover retains the Sport trim, starting at $38,055 with shipping.
“Reflecting customer demand, the Passport EX-L is now the new entry point for Honda’s largest 5-passenger SUV,” Honda said in a press release.
The Passport does get significant styling upgrades for a more rugged, upright look. The new light-truck design language first made an appearance on the Ridgeline pickup this year.
“Passport’s bold design includes a sculpted hood with a pronounced power bulge, squared-off nose and upright grille,” Honda said. “A redesigned, more aggressive rear bumper features cutouts for larger twin exhaust outlets, plus a tow hitch cover and skid garnish design that matches the more rugged front-end styling.”
The 2022 EX-L has much more equipment compared with the 2021 Sport trim, which featured black cloth seats and no sunroof. The 2022 EX-L will have leather seating and a one-touch power moonroof, Honda said. Those are also standard on the 2021 EX-L, which starts at $38,035 with shipping.
Honda is further pushing already sky-high transaction prices with the introduction of the Passport TrailSport trim for 2022, which comes with all-wheel drive, a unique grille treatment and more aggressive front and rear bumpers. The TrailSport starts at $43,695 with shipping.
At the top of the trim pyramid is the 2022 Passport Elite, starting at $46,665 with shipping. The 2021 version of the Elite starts at $45,405 with shipping.