[berrychristina]

Passport Touring (AWD) - $42,225

It's funny how some people think these are high prices, I nicely loaded 4-cyl, non-leather 2019 RAV 4 Adventure is over $41k MSRP on the Toyota website!

And the Passport is a way more of a premium vehicle, IMO

It's all relative. Obviously you're OK with the pricing and would venture to guess that other folks are too. But as for me, and my list of "want" in a car...I can definitely do better with another brand.
Just my .02

 

[aarondixon]

You're right it's all relative, I sold my BMW 328 Coupe a few months ago, it had an MSRP of $48,870 and was a bit to small to camp in, and after reading the Motor Trend SUV comparison (yesterday) and the 2019 RAV4 came in 4th place (CRV won) I just don't think I would be happy with their entry level SUV and I like Toyota every bit as much as I do Honda..

 

[jessemiller]

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And at the end of the year, you might find similar discounts to this on the passport. If you want anything on Day 1, you're going to pay for it.

 

[tonya71]

And at the end of the year, you might find similar discounts to this on the passport. If you want anything on Day 1, you're going to pay for it.

Agree

 

[josechaney]

I can definitely do better with another brand.

Which one?

 

[daniellevazquez]

The Blazer, Edge, Murano and Sante Fe do come in just a bit cheaper on the entry level. But none of those are going to have the same rugged capability that Honda is claiming for the Passport. Surely that's worth some extra dough.

 

[lopezalexandria]

The Blazer, Edge, Murano and Sante Fe do come in just a bit cheaper on the entry level. But none of those are going to have the same rugged capability that Honda is claiming for the Passport. Surely that's worth some extra dough.

Lol We just want to save enough to buy s place in the Hamptons i guess ?

 

[tonya71]

Lol We just want to save enough to buy s place in the Hamptons i guess ?

Lol We just want to save enough to buy s place in the Hamptons i guess ?

You don't have to change brands. You can do better with a Honda Pilot. 2019 EXL AWD $36 k us$$. So are we going to pay more for less car?

 

[xschaefer]

You don't have to change brands. You can do better with a Honda Pilot. 2019 EXL AWD $36 k us$$. So are we going to pay more for less car?

A Pilot EXL AWD is $40,705

 

[tonya71]

A Pilot EXL AWD is $40,705

That is pre negotiations. They are selling for what I quoted.

 

[xschaefer]

That is pre negotiations. They are selling for what I quoted.

Oh good. Too big for me. I test drove a few weeks ago.

 

[tonya71]

Oh good. Too big for me. I test drove a few weeks ago.

I don't need the extra six inches either. The pilot is a nice vehicle, I test drove one last week too. But, since I don't need third row seat I though the passport might be the ticket. But I'm not going to pay 4K more for less car.
The passport is shorter, has about an inch more ground clearance with bigger wheels, some tweaking to the same suspension, engine and transmission to make it feel a little more aggressive.... but same guts. Some minor differences in body exterior cosmetic. Both of these vehicles can do light off road....passport maybe a little better due to ground clearance and shorter rear. Both can tow up to 5000 with same equipment. Interior essentially identical.
In a few months the new Highlander will be unveiled....major overhaul with big updates. Should be interesting. If the Honda dealers don't budge from MSRP I will sit and wait a few months. Might be smart anyway.... give a little time to get the kinks out of the assembly line.

 

[alananderson]

Which one?

I bet Toyota will come up eventually and its one route I won't mind

 

[chelsea97]

Looks like a few dealers have their passports already reduced on Cars.com. Anyone priced one at their dealership yet?

 

[lopezalexandria]

Mark, the Passport will cost more than the Pilot? Why do you think that?

 

[tonya71]

Mark, the Passport will cost more than the Pilot? Why do you think that?

I think the dealers have and are realistically willing to negotiate on a Pilot to compete with other brands... I see EXL pilots selling in $36k range. I think initially dealers might try to stick closer to Passport MSRP.... with initial hype and limited supply. So while the listed MSRP of the passport is a little lower than the Pilot... The actual sale price will likely be higher... until... the dust settles. The internet has revolutionized car sales.

I feel the Passport marketing is a little more sizzle and less steak. They are hyping the off road capability but although a little more capable than some, it cannot meet the needs of s serious off road enthusiast.

It is basically a shortened Pilot with the same engine, same transmission, same interior, same towing capacity, with a few engine and suspension tweaks. They put 20 inch wheels on it to make it look more aggressive.

And if you don't like the third tow seat in the pilot, just leave it down. Then who knows you may need it one day?

So I think when the hype of marketing dies down, and the dealer lots get stocked, the actual negotiable sale prices will settle out leaving the passsport as selling for s little less than the Pilot .

I have been seriously test driving a lot of competition in this segment. Tomorrow I will drive a passport.

But, if you are s person that goes in and pays MSRP for your cars.... you can get a Passport for less than a pilot on any day ?

 

[lopezalexandria]

I agree and considered the off road capabilities for a total of zero seconds other than the tires are not in the least suitable for that (they obviously know also). But, nobody cares or will use it for that anyway. I would only every consider a full framed truck for real off-road fun.

 

[josechaney]

I have been seriously test driving a lot of competition in this segment. Tomorrow I will drive a passport.

What have you driven? More importantly, what have you liked, and why?

 

[lopezalexandria]

RDX, Audi Q5, Highlander, CRV, Rav 4, Pilot and Highlander. Also a VW Golf Alltrak. I also considered a lightly used Porsche SUV but never drove one as they rate very well. I may fit something else in but work has been pretty busy.

 

[tonya71]

First a little bit about myself. I have always been a car guy that would keep them forever. In my life I had two honda CRX, an Acura Integra, and now currently drive a Toyota Camry. My wife has a aToyota Venza.

I am now a family man with two awesome young sons. I started thinking I might want a truck for the occasional need to haul things, to tow a boat, and to drive on the beach for surf fishing.

So, I ventured out to research and drive trucks. I tested Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport and Off-road, Toyota Tundra, Ford Ranger, and Ford F-150. All of the trucks I looked at were of Four door cab version to accommodate my family. All Trucks were 4x4

I liked the Tacoma for its looks, reliability, and amazing resale value. It is a tough smaller truck with a nice V6. The automatic transmission needs improvements. But, my growing kids would soon get cramped in the back seat. I would get a Tonaeu cover to use the bed as cargo. The dealers were realistic and willing to negotiate.

The new Ford Ranger was ok. It only comes in a turbo four cylinder. The ten speed transmission is smoother than Tacoma. But, because it's new... the dealers were not coming off of MSRP.

The Tundra was a good solid truck, more than I would need. But now we are getting into V8 with low gas mileage. The Tundra also could use some big cabin improvements for a more comfortable ride. But, I know it's a truck right.

Surprisingly, I found you can get your most truck for your money with a Ford Super Crew 2018 left over. I tested a V6 ecoboost. They were discounted and for close to the same money as Tacoma or Ranger. The interior and ride feels luxury compared to others. The room in the passenger is amazing. And if there is one thing Ford does right it is Trucks.

All that being said I think I would pick the Tacoma. But found myself unable to get excited about a truck....

So, I started looking for mid size SUV that could tow a boat, drive on sand, and tow a utility trailer.

So far I tested Toyota Highlander V6 AWD, Honda Pilot V6 AWD, Nissan Pathfinder 4x4, Acura MDX, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are close calls. Both impressive. I give the edge to Highlander for a more luxury feel, I prefer the center console with traditional gear shift, and the engine. The Toyota Highlander has a time tested dual port/direct injection V6. The dual port fuel delivery reduces the worry of carbon build up problem that some people are starting to experience with direct injection engines. Honda Pilot V6 is a direct injection. Honda waited awhile to go to direct. I contacted Honda Headquarters, Honda Service and Honda sales to inquire if they had come up with a solution about carbon build up on direct injection but could not get a straight answer.

The Nissan Pathfinder was decent. And probably the strongest off road due to real 4x4. But it was a little dated inside and I don't think as reliable in the long haul.

The Acura MDX was nice. But for the price I would go with Highlander.

The Hyundai Sante Fe could only tow 2000 lbs. It had all of the bells and whistles but felt cheap to me. Did not like it.

So far for me the Highlander and Pilot are neck and neck. I like the Highlander for the more luxury ride and engine. The pilot has a little better tech with Apple car play. I am leaning toward Highlander but may wait for 2020 model.

Highlander is getting ready to unveil a big redisign for 2020. It will likely match or exceed Honda Pilot Tech.

So today I will finally see and drive the Passport. Let's see how it goes.