The 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition is Honda's answer to the growing demand for rugged, midsize SUVs that offer a blend of utility, performance, and a touch of luxury. Positioned between the compact CR-V and the larger Pilot, the Passport aims to provide a versatile option for families and adventurers alike.

The Black Edition, in particular, elevates the Passport's appeal with unique styling cues and a suite of premium features that make it stand out in a crowded segment.

Since its reintroduction to the North American market in 2019, the Honda Passport has carved a niche for itself by offering slightly more space in a more traditional boxy SUV design, but yet without being too much larger than the more crossover-like CR-V.

Not wanting to cannibalize from the CR-V’s extreme success, Honda based the Passport off the larger three row Pilot SUV, offering more robust off-road capabilities than the CR-V without sacrificing on-road comfort.

Arguably, the Black Edition is the pinnacle of the Passport lineup, designed to attract those who desire a bit more sophistication and exclusivity in their SUV.

What’s New?

For 2024, the Honda Passport Black Edition receives several updates that enhance its appeal. While the core elements that have made the Passport a popular choice remain, Honda has focused on refining both the aesthetics and the technology to keep it competitive.

Playing upon the “blacked out” or “dechromed” trend that is all the rage these days, the Black Edition is pretty much just an appearance package. But hey, if you can’t beat them, join them! This is something that manufacturers from Honda to BMW to Rolls-Royce have successfully employed.

You’ll see terms such as “Shadowline”, “Midnight”, or “Black Badge” denoting much of the same thing.

Similar to other non-Black Edition Passports, for 2024, the Black Edition sports a refreshed Passport front fascia with a more aggressive grille design and revised LED headlamps that offer better illumination. Alas, there are still no high-beam LEDs, an oversight in my eyes considering that even the CR-V has them.

Better news can be found around the corner, with the rear having also been updated with new LED taillights and a more pronounced bumper, giving the SUV a bolder stance.

As mentioned, exclusive to the Black Edition are gloss black accents, including the grille, side mirrors, roof rails, and 20-inch alloy wheels, which contribute to its distinctive look. It goes particularly well with the Sonic Grey Pearl exterior colour scheme on my test vehicle.

Interior Enhancements

Step inside the 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition, and you're greeted by a cabin that blends comfort, functionality, and a touch of luxury.

The spacious interior can comfortably accommodate five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom for all occupants. The Passport's interior is designed with comfort in mind. The front seats are heated and ventilated, ensuring that you stay comfortable regardless of the weather. The rear seats are also heated, and the cabin features tri-zone automatic climate control, allowing passengers to set their preferred temperature.

Somewhat unique is the ability for the Passport’s split rear bench to be able to move a significant amount fore and aft, giving the ability for owners to increase the cargo space’s length behind the rear seats. This is a vast improvement over just being able to tilt the seatbacks, making it a unique feature in this class.

 The Black Edition boasts unique styling touches that set it apart from other trims. The cabin features black leather upholstery with contrasting red stitching, giving it a sporty yet elegant feel.

The Black Edition logo is subtly embossed on the front seats, and the interior trim includes black chrome and gloss black finishes that enhance the premium vibe.

Honda has updated the Passport's infotainment system, now featuring a larger 10.2-inch touchscreen with improved graphics and responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with a wireless charging pad and a premium 10-speaker audio system.

In addition to the infotainment system, the Passport Black Edition is equipped with a range of connectivity and convenience features. A wireless charging pad ensures that your devices stay powered up without the hassle of cables, and multiple USB ports provide additional charging options for passengers. The Black Edition also features a hands-free power tailgate, making it easier to load and unload cargo, especially when your hands are full.

The Black Edition also includes Honda's latest suite of driver assistance technologies, ensuring a safer and more convenient driving experience. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and collision mitigation braking system.

With 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 77.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, the Passport offers plenty of room for all your gear. This is where the more boxy shape pays dividends.

Drivetrain Technology

Under the hood, the 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition continues to be powered by a Honda’s corporate 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Despite its reasonably large V6 engine, the Passport manages to offer respectable fuel efficiency, thanks in part to Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. VCM can deactivate three of the engine's six cylinders under light load conditions to save fuel..

This robust engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth and precise shifts, whether you're cruising on the highway or navigating off-road trails.

A quick shifting transmission it isn’t, but at least there is a “Sport” mode that livens things up a little by holding the gears a bit longer.

Much like the Pilot, the 2024 Passport Black Edition comes standard with Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) all-wheel-drive system. This advanced system can transfer up to 70% of the engine's torque to the rear wheels and can distribute power between the left and right rear wheels for improved traction and handling.

This makes the Passport adept at handling a variety of road conditions, from wet and slippery surfaces to rugged terrain.

To complement the all-wheel-drive system, the Passport Black Edition offers multiple drive modes, including Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand. These modes adjust the vehicle's throttle response, transmission shift points, and torque distribution to optimize performance based on the driving environment. This flexibility ensures that the Passport can tackle different terrains with ease, providing confidence to drivers whether they're on a weekend adventure or navigating urban streets.

How Does it Drive?

The 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition offers a driving experience that prioritizes comfort and convenience over performance.

The V6 engine provides ample power for acceleration and passing, and the nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, making for a refined driving experience, just what you’d want in a family crossover SUV.

The Passport's suspension is tuned to strike a balance between comfort and handling, absorbing bumps and rough roads while maintaining composure through corners.

On paved roads, the Passport Black Edition delivers a smooth and quiet ride, though the 20” wheels fitted to this trim level does make the ride firmer than expected. For the most part, the suspension does a reasonable job of isolating road imperfections.

The steering is well-weighted and responsive, though a touch on the light side, providing good feedback to the driver.

The i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system, combined with the drive modes, allows the Passport to tackle a variety of light off-road conditions with ease. Whether you're driving on a snowy trail or navigating some beach access roads, the Passport's drivetrain adjusts to provide optimal performance. The ground clearance and approach/departure angles are also suitable for light off-roading, making the Passport a versatile choice for weekend adventures.

Those looking for a more rugged version of the Passport should consider the 2024 Honda Passport Trailsport, which has smaller wheels and all-terrain tires, as well as a different suspension setup.

Despite its size, the Passport is surprisingly maneuverable. The turning radius is tight, making it easy to navigate through city streets and parking lots. The Black Edition's 20-inch wheels and tires provide good grip for its class, and the brakes offer strong stopping power, adding to the overall confidence-inspiring driving experience.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition is a compelling choice for those seeking a midsize SUV that offers a blend of rugged capability, comfort, and premium features.

With its updated styling, advanced drivetrain technology, and a host of modern conveniences, the Black Edition stands out in a competitive segment. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands around town, or heading out on a weekend adventure, the Passport Black Edition is well-equipped to handle it all.

The exterior updates give the Passport a more aggressive and refined look, while the interior enhancements, though mostly visual only, create a comfortable environment for passengers.

If you're in the market for a new mid-size SUV that is a bit different than the Toyota RAV4’s and Honda CR-V’s out there, the mid-sized 2024 Passport Black Edition is definitely worth considering.