[josechaney]

RDX, Audi Q5, Highlander, CRV, Rav 4, Pilot and Highlander. Also a VW Golf Alltrak.

How would you rank these? Which did you like / not like?

 

[josechaney]

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.

If the Highlander had Android Auto I would seriously consider it.

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

Any idea when it will be released?

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

Good luck. Keep us posted on your thoughts on Passport vs Highlander and Pilot.

 

[tonya71]

If the Highlander had Android Auto I would seriously consider it.


Any idea when it will be released?


Good luck. Keep us posted on your thoughts on Passport vs Highlander and Pilot.

For me ... The Rav 4, CRV and RDX don't have enough towing capacity.... I like them all and wish they did.... I actually think they are all more stylish than the Pilot.

I am almost certain the 2020 highlander will have Apple car play / android. I can only guess on when it will be released for sale.... I am hoping it will show its face st the upcoming Spring New York Auto show. I think the new competition may motivate Toyota to release it sooner but they will want to move out the 2019 models. So, may have to wait until Fall.

I'll keep you posted. I am excited to see and drive the Passport. It is freezing out, so the standard remote start would be great for a day like today. Step in to a heated car with warm seats ?

 

[josechaney]

Thanks. Keep warm and have fun!

EDIT - By the way, I love the RDX. If not for the infotainment system issues -- and the lack of Android Auto -- I think I'd be sold.

 

[shane05]

From Boch Honda in Norwood, MA

https://www.bochhonda.com/inventory/condition=new?model=Passport

 

[victoriamartinez]

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.

Why didn’t you drive the Ridgeline?

 

[kward]

Well, the Passport was top on my next car list until the prices came out. Looks like the CX5 turbo is my new top pick for the price.

 

[tonya71]

Why didn’t you drive the Ridgeline?

If I was going to settle for a truck, I wanted full four wheel drive.

 

[tonya71]

Well I test dove a Passpot Elite today. It drives nice on the road. You get a little more sporty feel from the way they tuned the transmission and suspension compared to the Pilot. I am not an immediate fan of the push button gear shift... but I am sure I can get used to it. It looks a little bit different than the Pilot but not much.... I was hoping it would look better in person than the pictures.... I wish honda would have gone a step further to give it a more sport look. If you have driven the 2019 pilot... you basically have driven the passport ( again maybe a tad more energetic feel). If you have seen the 2019 pilot interior.... you have basically seen the Passport interior minus 6 inches and a third row seat.

The audio in the elite ( also in touring ) is exceptional sound quality and I had no trouble learning to use the infotainment settings. I would say that the audio in this car is the best I have heard on my test drives. But again same audio in Pilot.

So overall very nice car with good ride. They only had two on the lot and not s color I wanted. If they can get my color and meet my price they will have a sale. But, I would not pay more than what I can get a negotiated pilot for. In my opinion, the Passport is nice ... but in no way worth paying more for.

 

[josechaney]

Thanks for the write-up!

 

[lopezalexandria]

Thanks Mark, I could be wrong but think that the Highlander added Apple Car play for 2019. Maybe only in Canada is the trick as I am pretty sure the dealer told me it did.

I liked the solid feel of the highlander but found it had a lot of road noise on the highway. The Highlander AWD did not seem to have any Torque steer which was nice.

The Audi Q5 had a harsh ride and a big drive shaft tunnel that killed the rear seating. RDX was nice other than the undersized engine like the Q5. I did find that the Q5 drive train carried it's weight more confidently than the RDX. (Q5 more fun if that's your thing).

 

[lopezalexandria]

Well, the Passport was top on my next car list until the prices came out. Looks like the CX5 turbo is my new top pick for the price.

I came across a video a while ago explaining how Mazda was making Turbo's very well. Basically, the video said that most Turbo's are designed to do well for mileage tests but terrible in the real world. The video showed how Mazda was making Turbo's that performed better and gets you good mileage also.

 

[fraziermaria]

For me ... The Rav 4, CRV and RDX don't have enough towing capacity.... I like them all and wish they did.... I actually think they are all more stylish than the Pilot.

I am almost certain the 2020 highlander will have Apple car play / android. I can only guess on when it will be released for sale.... I am hoping it will show its face st the upcoming Spring New York Auto show. I think the new competition may motivate Toyota to release it sooner but they will want to move out the 2019 models. So, may have to wait until Fall.

I'll keep you posted. I am excited to see and drive the Passport. It is freezing out, so the standard remote start would be great for a day like today. Step in to a heated car with warm seats ?

Toyota is very reliable. My 07 highlander reaches 150K miles with just regular maintenance. However, Toyota SUV is getting uglier. Look at RAV4, 4Runner, and real of Highlander, I don't want to buy it again.

 

[lopezalexandria]

Man, this is a pain. I may just buy a 2018 RDX for under 40k and be done with it. The RDX always takes a beating off the lot but more so with the new model on deck.

 

[tonya71]

2019 Rex with tech package. They all get hammered when you drive off the lot.

 

[josechaney]

I may just buy a 2018 RDX for under 40k and be done with it.

The 2019 RDX is sooooo much better than the 2018 RDX.

 

[tonya71]

The 2019 RDX is sooooo much better than the 2018 RDX.

Very nice looking car. My eye went to it immediately on the showroom floor. But I need more towing. They have an incentive on right now.

 

[andrearobinson]

The 2019 RDX is sooooo much better than the 2018 RDX.

My 2014 RDX has been a champ, and, until the Passport's reveal, I thought I'd replace it with a 2019. Test drive was very nice. Some great features (head-up display, bird's eye view, etc.). But for 50K, I'd expect Android Auto (dealer says it's coming). Also, towing capacity is only 1500 lbs. It also has a very weird-feeling brake pedal. The turbo four doesn't thrill me. Nor does the requirement for premium fuel.

But the deal-breaker for me might be all of the problems being discussed on the Acura forum regarding the transmission, infotainment system and poor response from Acura service departments.

If it turns out the Passport isn't right for me, I think I'd wait until the 2020 RDX. Hopefully it will have the bugs worked out - and Android Auto.

 

[josechaney]

Some great features (head-up display, bird's eye view, etc.). But for 50K, I'd expect Android Auto (dealer says it's coming). It also has a very weird-feeling brake pedal. The turbo four doesn't thrill me. Nor does the requirement for premium fuel.

But the deal-breaker for me might be all of the problems being discussed on the Acura forum regarding the transmission, infotainment system and poor response from Acura service departments.

Yep, that was the deal-breaker for me. Too many issues. Sounds like the infotainment system is a freakin' nightmare. AND there's no Android Auto (Acura has no idea when or if it might get added). By the way, not that it matters, but premium fuel is only recommended, not required.

 

[shane05]

So........ I took this Passport for a test drive an hour ago.
https://www.bochhonda.com/vehicle/5FNYF8H05KB001640-New-2019-Honda-Passport-AWD/

Awesome vehicle!!! Told the sales guy that I wanted to trade my 2015 Wrangler for it. KBB shows my Wrangler trade value at $19k. Given the $41k discounted price on their Web Site, I was ready to make a deal, if I could get the trade up to $20k.

They came back with an offer of $14k for the trade AND that was with the MSRP as the starting point! So basically, we were $9,000 apart. I laughed and left the building.

MAYBE I'll try again once all the excitement of the new model wears off and they have more units on the lot. Yeah, I'm disappointed, but I love my Jeep as well, so we'll see what happens down the road.......