The Hidden History of the Original Honda Passport
Honda's first SUV was actually a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo from the 1990s.
1The Rebadging Strategy
In the early 1990s, Honda lacked a dedicated SUV in its lineup. To capture the growing demand for rugged vehicles, the company entered a strategic partnership with Isuzu. Honda began selling the Isuzu Rodeo at its American dealerships under the Passport name, marking the brand's first entry into the SUV market segment.
2Isuzu Rodeo Origins
The original Passport was essentially a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo, a traditional body-on-frame SUV that debuted in the U.S. for the 1991 model year. It competed directly against established rivals like the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Explorer, positioning itself as a capable off-road contender long before Honda developed its own internal SUV platforms.
3Global Partnership Dynamics
The collaboration between Honda and Isuzu extended beyond the Passport. Acura sold the Isuzu Trooper as the SLX, while Isuzu offered the Honda Odyssey as the Oasis. In Japan, the Honda Accord was marketed as the Isuzu Aska, demonstrating a complex cross-brand exchange that defined both companies' product strategies during that decade.
4End of the Collaboration
The Isuzu-based Passport remained in production through two generations until the 2002 model year. The partnership eventually dissolved as Honda successfully launched its own internal models, specifically the CR-V and the three-row Pilot. By 2004, the original Passport was phased out, and Isuzu eventually exited the U.S. passenger car market by 2008.
5Modern Passport Evolution
After a hiatus of over 15 years, Honda revived the Passport nameplate in 2019. Unlike the original Isuzu-based version, the modern iteration is built on the Pilot platform. It currently sits between the CR-V and the Pilot, focusing on on-road manners and smart packaging rather than traditional body-on-frame construction methods.
6Performance and Capability
The current Passport utilizes a naturally aspirated V6 engine paired with Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system. While it lacks the extreme off-road hardware of some competitors, the TrailSport trim has gained praise for its capability. It successfully blends real all-terrain performance with the refined driving dynamics expected from the broader Honda vehicle lineup.
7Strategic Platform Philosophy
Honda has notably avoided building a dedicated body-on-frame SUV platform throughout its history. By leveraging the Pilot platform for the Passport and the Ridgeline pickup, the company has carved out a profitable niche. This approach proves that Honda can maintain a rugged image without needing to engineer a traditional 4x4 vehicle architecture.
8Market Impact Analysis
The transition from a rebadged Isuzu to an in-house Honda platform highlights the company's evolution from a market follower to an independent manufacturer. By focusing on unibody construction and smart packaging, Honda has maintained its competitive edge, proving that brand identity and consumer trust are more critical than specific mechanical hardware configurations.
Original article: SlashGear — The Hidden History of the Original Honda Passport