The Passport was Honda's first move into the SUV/truck market in America, a compact SUV that was actually produced by Isuzu (who marketed the same vehicle as the Rodeo) and re-badged it for sale by Honda. Originally introduced in 1994 the Passport was the predecessor to the later Honda Pilot. Essentially an SUV wagon cab slapped onto an Isuzu pickup truck underbody and frame, the Passport was comparable to the Jeep Cherokee and the Mitsubishi Montero Sport—other similar truck-on-steroid models that allowed their manufacturers to make rapid entry into the SUV class. The Passport evolved from a partnership between Isuzu and Honda to cooperate making vehicles shared by both companies in the aftermath of the huge economic crisis in late-80's Japan which forced manufacturers to tighten belts radically and prevented factory expansions for new assembly lines to launch easily. By sharing lines, manufacturers could better utilize and re-tool existing facilities while still covering the current market classes of vehicles necessary to compete effectively. During the 1990s Isuzu provided Honda with Passports and a Trooper re-badge marketed as the Acura SLX while Honda supplied Isuzu with a version of the Civic for sale in Japan and the Odyssey minivan, sold as the Isuzu Oasis.
A second generation Passport was sold in America from 1998 until the introduction of the Pilot after the 2002 model year. Still considered a midsize SUV, it was slightly larger than the first generation and a new V6 engine delivered greater power (essentially an improved Isuzu 3.2-liter twin-cam with 15 more horses). These Passports were built at a Subaru Isuzu plant in Indiana alongside their nearly identical sibling, the Rodeo, the key differences being strictly cosmetic and based upon standard versus optional equipment. The less expensive LX and the upscale EX were each available with rear-drive or on demand 4-wheel drive and could tow up to 4500 pounds using electric trailer brakes. An automatic transmission was standard on EX versions but an upgrade on the LX. In the LX, the spare tire rested under the rear cargo floor but the EX mounted it on an external carrier.
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