Thanks for the feature Donald! To be honest, when I replaced my Subaru (due to a failed CVT), I just wanted a vehicle that would perform closer to the more capable older Subarus with automatic transmissions, but it turns out my Passport has been WAAAAAAY more capable than I could have ever originally imagined. With the trailsport badge, IMO, Honda is finally letting the world know… it’s class leading AWD. For those reading this comments and searching for technical data. My 2019 Honda Passport has a 20.4:1 crawl ratio and a very willing torque converter. In my 2.5 years of ownership, this vehicle has never “stalled” like in most other AWDs, the wheels will always spin in my Passport. The more advanced AWD systems have something called a “twin clutch” rear differential. Lockers are amazing, and these things can mimic one (but when the going gets tough, they do slip). Vehicle like the Pilot, Passport and Ridgeline have them, but also vehicles like the Bronco sport badlands, Excursion have them as well. Watch the video comparisons by Sarah N Tuned and Driving Sports TV and you’ll see a massive difference in capability.
I meant to mention this in my video, but when you traded in your Subaru Forester for a Honda Passport, I thought you were nuts. Until I saw what you could do with it. I have been nothing but impressed ever since. This is a legit option for backcountry adventuring.
@@softroadingthewest many people thought I was crazy, but I saw the potential. TFL and drive sports TV showcased the midsized Hondas doing amazing things. TFL had the gold mine hill obstacle, and the Pilot and Ridgeline were the few vehicles that got up it, and easily, and this was back in 2016, there was a very capable AWD system that went under the radar. The Outback attempted and failed the test. So many people were angry, so they did the test again and the oiutback barely made it up (they had to use momentum after many tries).
@@tpseeker3367 toyota has never been there either! Actually I was visited by Toyota guys that revealed themselves to me that said they were scouting the event. Volkswagen and Nissan made an appearance. And there were plenty of Subarus and Toyota vehicles from other owners 😃. The Honda booth was cool, I spent 2 days straight there and like Donald said, it was full of activity. Thanks to all that visited me!
Thanks @@JonDZ_Adventuring. Seems like since you & Donald upgraded it's a rarity to see Subies even mentioned anymore (except that new thing). Keep up the Great Work guys.
This is why you stay as my #1 VLOGer!! Being grounded and realistic is so important. What you have and the attachments "you build" are more impressive than any big rigs. Keep staying your course.... Although, I never doubt you'd stray anyway Donald. Thanks again.
This is the reason why I asked Honda if they would invite Donald. He doesn’t drive one, but he’s “real”, “grounded” and “trustworthy”. There’s no hype from him, he just speaks the truth.
100% agree with your take on the $100k dedicated overlander rigs, and maintaining a more realistic approach. That attitude is why I'll be watching your coverage of the expo. Tha ks for bringing us along!
Thank you for your initial comments. You are right many people can’t afford a lot of these rigs these people are building. So it’s nice to have you showing practical ways to do the same things for the every day person!
We truly are experiencing the mecca of vehicle options. If your budget is $5k or $500,000 there is an amazing vehicle out there to explore with. I truly believe the best money you can spend is on adventure gas and I love that this Honda is capable and affordable.
Donald thanks for the video! I have always been a Honda fan I am glad they are finally making their vehicles more off road ready. I have owned two Ridgelines and they were good car/trucks. I have often wondered why they didn’t get and off road option. Looks like they are off to a good start. On one of you other videos you talked Chris Venture4WD I just knew you would have an interview. Again, thanks so much for your hard work
I didn't do a very good job filming with Chris alas...I shut the camera off during the time when we actually just kind of casually chatted and talked shop a bit. * facepalm * Unsurprisingly, suuuuper kind and gracious guy in person. Hopefully I can do a little better next time. :-)
Great to see Honda stepping up with a capable and pretty cool entry into practical offroading. No surprise to many of us that are amazed at our long-term first-gen Honda Pilots ability.
I am super bummed that I couldn't make it up to Overland Expo this year; I missed all of my YT faves, especially you, Donald! Glad you made it down here and maybe we'll get you back down here next year! I'm a big fan of JonDZ, too! What he does in his Passport is impressive. The new Trailsport is interesting and I hope they bring everything you see on this prototype to the showroom floor.
Donald had a super busy Expo 😃! I was at the Honda both for all but 2 hours. I wouldn’t mind going back as a consumer next time around, but I wouldn’t hesitate to work the both again if I got the invite.
I think the fact that you DON'T have one of those dedicated big rigs makes your channel more relatable to us viewers. You show us ways to make it affordable.
Your commentary at the start of the video is spot on Donald! I just watched an expo video and was telling my wife that it sickens me to see where expo is going. It looks more like SEMA these days than a gathering of like minded folks who like travel and camping.
Would love to see a trail sport vs ford bronco sport badlands go head to head glad this segment is getting some love and is getting everyday ppl out and exploring. Keep up the great work, your content just keeps getting better and better!
Not a Honda fan really, but will be interesting to see the actual mechanical reliability off road with minimal issues, replace the OEM tires with some new A/T or M/T rubber & it will more capable. Great content Donald as always, thanks
I have 86K on my Passport. My first Honda ever, but can confirm they are overbuilt. I haven’t even changed my brakes yet and I’ve been running 2.5” taller tires since 8K. I’m pleasantly surprised, nothing has failed yet. I will disclose that because of the aggressive gearing, I don’t have to use momentum like in other AWDs. That plays a big part in avoiding unnecessary abuse.
Unless the average guy hits the lottery jackpot they will never be able to afford a 500+K overland rig like everyone likes to show at the Overland Expo's. Good video, looking forward to seeing more of your from the expo.👍🏻😎
Yep. And I know it's fun to oooh and aaah at cool dream-world toys, and that's perfectly fine for those who enjoy it, but it just doesn't feel like productive use of my time. I stepped into just one of these big camper trucks at Expo, and it was literally bigger inside than an apartment I had in my early 20s, heh. And yet on my channel, I get people griping at *me* that I'm not *truly* camping because I'm sleeping in the back of my truck instead of hiking three days into the wilderness and sleeping on the ground in a shelter made out of twigs, LOL. I much prefer to focus on what I can realistically do to dial in a setup I can actually afford, rather than ogle someone else's fantasyland build that cost more than my house. :-)
@@softroadingthewest Agreed. 👍🏻 Camping is camping, doesn't matter if you hike/backpack, horseback, boat, or drive into the back country, sleep in a hammock, tent or in a vehicle, it's still camping.
PAW Adventures, that’s what overland expo has been about, a movement to make overlanding “ELITE”. Telling us we need to start with a $65K rig and spend another $40K in upgrades… MINIMUM! The people marketing succeeded in the beginning. Overlanding was synonymous with “Off-road” (which is the Sport of tackling rough terrain”. It’s refreshing to start seeing rigs that are more cost effective, onroad friendly and daily drivable.
I totally agree with the whole earthmover/expedition rigs, I always wonder how in the world do these people afford to do this all the time. As you have seen, my sequoia is my main mode of transportation, I daily it to and from work and then do an overlanding trip occasionally. I do carry a bunch of stuff in it at all times because of the commute and having the wakeup of the major snow we had a few years back where it shut down Portland period and took me 3.5 hours to get from Beaverton to Salem on back roads because of the major panic that sat in and the clogging of roads because of that.
Hey! Just an off the wall comment about your music choices... EXCELLENT! Really liked that jam at the end. So many content creators use that artificial electronica weird fake voice thing, I can't watch 'em. Not yours! Thanks for that! (Really contributes well, showing off your design background, too. IMHO.)
Ive got a little Kia Sportage. Picked it up cheap for an inbetween car. Was going to sell it. But the little thing has a chassis like a truck and is more than capable off road. Loves the beach.
Looks like a cool car. Unfortunately they aren't selling it in Australia and it appears that Honda are retreating from our market by replacing the dealerships with agents.
I hear it’s the most American 🇺🇸 car made in the USA. It was designed by American Honda Motor company and made of around 85% of American made parts. I think the USA and Canada is the only place this vehicle is sold. BUT…. Australia gets waaaaaaay cooler off-road vehicle options, we are so jealous!
His rig could have trouble going up a curb & I'm still in love with it just because of the Mythosaur skull badge on the grill! (Nice to learn it's a capable as well as geekily stylish ride)
Clearance at the rear diff and oil Pan is 9 inches. The lowest hanging point is the muffler, which, as you may know can take a hit and is held up by stretchable hangers. The side will clearance is over 12”. To put that in perspective, a Subaru Outback wilderness with 9.5” of clearance has a 11.5” side sill. A $33k Passport sport is more capable and cheaper than a Subaru Outback wilderness.
Haha, I knew someone would catch that. There's actually a funny little story that goes along with that package, I'll be telling it somewhere in Utah in the upcoming episodes. :-)
@@softroadingthewest Oh..Utah my favorite state....btw have a Taco but I'm a long time Honda fan ...I drove my mom's Honda 600 sedan back in the 70's way before Honda cars got popular...2 cyl. air cooled car
As a Forester driver it is a shame Subaru have gone the other way. A few years ago the Forester was available with a low ratio gearbox and so much other stuff. Now (in the UK) its simply a low profile, low front bumpered electric/hybrid.
I remember when Subaru was a different company back in the day. They listened to what their customers wanted. In the USA, 50% of all WRXs were hatch backs, in 2015 they discontinued them, and sounds like they don’t plan on bringing them back for the new WRX. Back in 2008 they carried over the same power train from the GM era 2007 Hawkeye WRX. Under toyota ownership, they had fierce criticism that the car got bigger and heavier but not more powerful. For 2009 they gave them the VF48 turbo and it did 0-60 a whole second faster. Btw, I owned a 2010 WRX and a 2015 FXT. Totally different company now. The next decade will be interesting, with the switch to EVs, we will have to see who evolves and who goes instinct. I know Subaru is heavily invested in the newish technology. Maybe they’re waiting for their time to shine ✨
I would like to see how you pack you gear including the Gazelle Tent into your Nissan Frontier. On the topic of Honda Passport, do you know if the transmission is the same in the Trailsport? I am a Honda guy, Ridgeline and Pilot, I have seen videos of the transmission over heating when crawling, Not sure what was going on or how legit those videos were. your thoughts.
I only camped a couple of times with the Gazelle and the Frontier, and I just threw it in the back of the truck. My Frontier had a BakFlip bed cover on it when I bought it, which was nice to keep the camping gear protected. But I very quickly moved to an aluminum contractor canopy and now I only use the Gazelle when one of my kids comes along and I need more shelter (in which case, I just toss it on top of the bed I have built in my canopy). I believe the Trailsport transmission is the same, yes. JonDZ Adventuring is a fan of that transmission and I believe he has probably pushed it harder than anyone else. I would pose any questions about it on his channel, he is far more qualified to answer your questions than me. :-)
I think the Ursa Minor is awesome, but it seems like they need a fairly square-ish vehicle to build them onto? A Passport with an integrated pop-up would be a superb overlander/daily driver solution though!
I just can't get used to using buttons to engage the tranny. Also the orange tow hooks look childish. Would like to have heard more about the front and rear departure angles, locking rear diff, low gear range etc. Am looking forward to more from you on the expo. Thanks for bringing this to us.
Small price to pay to have class leading “twin clutch” AWD and a 20.4:1 crawl ratio. The rear differential in the passport can mimic a lock, but it’s not a true mechanical locker like in Donald’s Nissan Pro 4X. It’s very very effective though, and Ford actually calls it a locker in their Bronco Sport Badlands. The approach angle on this project vehicle should be around 24 deg, departure at 30 deg, but minus about 3 deg for the stock version. Ford is really stepping up their game as well, and that’s who Honda is competing with.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring I've seen a few videos of the Bronco Sport Badlands now with their rear "locker" and some vids it works well and other situations it doesn't work at all. I hope Honda's system is much better. Any idea when this would be on sale, or did I miss that?
@oldmillrd I agree that the reveal presentation was lacking some of the substance it could have had. Which is unfortunate, because they have nothing to gloss over here. As far as AWD family cars go, it's nicely designed and very well engineered to also serve as a backcountry explorer, and I wish they would have talked up some of the technical stuff I don't have the understanding to present myself. :-)
@@gs98999 it’s not a rear locker. Ford claims it is, and Honda doesn’t publicize how special it is. If the rear wheels don’t spin at the same rate, it’s not a true mechanical locker. Watch driving sports TV’s episode of the Ford Bronco sport badlands vs. the Crosstrek sport and you’ll see a massive difference.
I don't have firsthand experience driving either, but based on what I have learned about both, the entire Passport drivetrain appears much more capable in the area that matters to me, which is performance off pavement. The Passport is a bit bulky for my tastes - I do prefer the shape & size of the Forester - but ultimately the superior trail performance Honda has engineered would sway me.
@@Memetologist it would be very similar to these results. Crosstrek sport vs. the Bronco sport badlands: ua-cam.com/video/tLW5TNxxq34/v-deo.html The Passport has a similar AWD system that are equipped with the GKN twinster, like the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring but like the host said that was a 40k bronco sport against a 27k Crosstrek. Sure the Subaru struggled more, but ultimately completed the trail just fine. I wouldn't expect anything different when comparing two vehicles like that. They also have a side by side comparison of a 4 runner TRD off road against the Subaru outback wilderness and again the Subaru struggled more against the mighty 4 runner but still completed the course.
Many of us cannot afford those big, built rigs. They are very cool (even the Tacos, Jeeps, etc.) but usually end up being very expensive. It would be nice to have a dedicated vehicle; however, like you said the vehicle has to serve a dual purpose and most of us "regular normal people" don't have the budget to support dedicated vehicles. My Colorado has to serve as my truck for tasks around the house and when I want to use it for camping and light trail riding. P.S. If you like this Trailsport. Don't get your hopes up. Only a concept. Maybe one day it will come into being.
Very interesting to see Honda trying to tap into the off road market. But if I had the money and was in the market for a new off road capable vehicle that could and would take me anywhere, I couldn't justify this purchase. It seems that with all card being overpriced, I'd still buy a 4runner. I see what JonDZ has done with his Passport and it seems that many mods were still required in order for it to be the capable it is today. Could get slightly more from a stock 4runner, and all for a 2mpg sacrifice at best. I don't see it. But great for Honda, I imagine there is s market for it otherwise they would not have manufactured it.
I use to drive a FJ cruiser, and if you drove one too you’d have an understand of why this vehicle made sense for me. The fuel savings are actually more than just 2 mpg. A similarly equipped 4runner within roof mods and A/T’s would be about a 5 mpg difference. Also, the beauty of the Midsized Hondas is that they handle on-road so well. 0-60 according to motortrend, is 6.3 seconds vs. the 4runners 8.0 seconds. The Passport also has yaw control like an Evolution 10. My best description of the Passport is “my FJ cruiser and WRX had a baby”. It makes a great daily driver while still having 4WD like capability, that’s why I still love it after 86K miles and 2.5 years.
@@nicolasblanc816 no need to apologize, I've driven a Toyota, Subaru and now a Honda. We all have our opinions, but I can tell you mine is based on experience.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring You know, I do enjoy watching your content from time to time, it seems down to earth, but just because I do not make videos about my "adventures", it is not very mature to assume that you are the only one who has the "experience". I will throw my 40 years of driving. It has become interested how the only comments here getting your reply are those that do not seem to agree with your bias Honda view. Great content .
@@nicolasblanc816 I didn’t assume that you “didn’t have experience”, did it come off that way? You said you disagreed, and I mentioned that I have experience with the FJ cruiser, Forester XT and Honda Passport. As far as comment replies, the only comments at the beginning of this videos release were …. Negative. I didn’t have any positive comments to reply to. I get notifications when you reply, so here I am replying to you. Thanks for the support, I didn’t mean to come off as “triggered”, I promised, I’m not. I’m just trying to help people. I’ve been down the Toyota road, I’ve been down the Subaru road, the Honda midsized road offers a pleasantly surprising mix of both those roads. Cheers
Maybe Subaru is still the reigning king of unibody softroaders but maybe Honda has leapfrogged the RAV4 (which my current vehicle). I'd definitely consider this vs RAV4 at this point.
I would not call Subaru junk by any means. I still think they're great cars. They just have let their former off-road prowess slip down in their priorities. Their AWD system is much more centered around safety and keeping the car on the road in adverse conditions - and it works fabulously for that and saved my butt a number of times. :-)
@@mallkrawlerz620 🤣🤣 but, but your Gen 1 Touareg has a center and rear mechanical differential lock and a true low gear transfer case. How is that a soft roader? 🤣🤣 I hear they designed the Touareg to be a Europe military vehicle. I have no idea how much the trailsport trim will cost.
It's pretty much all vanity right now with the Passport. I think Honda wanted to rush a product out there with badging to get in on the trend. Maybe in a couple years they'll have something that improves its capability off road. Bronco Sport badlands or a Jeep Cherokee trailhawk are better options right now if people want to buy something built from the factory with the intention of going off-road. Also, they at least have actual rated recovery points.
As Matt from Honda said at the beginning of his presentation, this prototype is sort of a flagship demonstrating their intentions. They have to start somewhere, and I say good on them for doing so. While this obviously isn't a production vehicle yet, it's well beyond some superficial cladding and a new badge. Serious skid plates, increased ground clearance, smaller radius OEM wheels and full size spare are functional upgrades that extend beyond "vanity" IMO. These recovery points, as I understand it, have actually been in place (and put to use) on their Rebelle Rally vehicle, according to driver Tasha who was in attendance. I can't speak for everyone, but my personal experience with the reliability of Honda and other Japanese cars vs American cars - and I've owned many from both categories including Ford, Chevy, Dodge as well as Honda, Subaru and Toyota - makes me excited to see Honda taking steps in this direction. This story isn't about what to go out and buy today (though Jon has proven that the plain ol' Passport is undeniably a legit option) but rather about what Honda is aiming to do, and their willingness to listen to community needs & feedback to develop a practical vehicle that offers both city manners and trail capability, for those who need both in a single rig. At the end of the day, I personally don't care what anyone buys and drives. I'm not here to advertise for Honda and have zero interest in their bottom line. But more players in this game means more competition, more motivation for *every* company to continue improving their product rather than resting on the laurels of their names & legacies, and that ultimately means better choices all around for ALL of us, regardless of what we ultimately decide to drive. I feel Honda's initiative here should be applauded rather than dismissed.
@@softroadingthewest , you and the Magician are both right. It’s my understanding that the immediate 2022 trailsport will have 18 inch wheels and they all come with AWD. The Passport is actually more capable than the Bronco sport, better gearing and a V6 with 200 torque at idle. BUT, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk takes the cake 🎂 with a true mechanical locker and a 56:1 crawl ratio with true 4 low engaged. I’m definitely excited to see what the trail sport evolves into 😃.
Haha...I'm not too up on TV people. Did I undersell that? I couldn't remember his name and had never seen him before Expo. :-) FWIW, he was pretty awesome.
Interesting. I heard about Honda AWD SH system that is rally good. My concern is off camber spot . I had Grand Cherokee and it's perform well on tough spot maybe ground clearance even with 2 inch lift . But what is scare me away from this suv is ability to flex with high weight loads on roof. This suv become a very tipping and doesn't feel stable with weight. The off road is not just clearance and drive train but also ability be stable on tricky situations. Like even take this last event happened in Bear pass CO another plunge into cliff. And many people did that is in very not off road vehicles but it's just enough to make one mistake and you can kill yourself and your family. Another expect of this is the travel alone or with your family and no good spotter. I like ideas of this SuV but unfortunately most beautiful places and no people are required to have good off road truck with winch .
Bro, first time ever I gotta stop ya. All marketing fluff. Wow, raise it a bit and throw on some badges and orange tow hooks and color me sold. I'd even pay $20k over retail for it. Isn't that how people do things these days? I got a '18 Outback with 3K in upgrades that were thoughtful enough I can run circles around that vehicle. It's like the Subaru Wilderness Edition. Go ahead and spend 10 grand more. I'll still beat you to the top.
Thanks for the feature Donald! To be honest, when I replaced my Subaru (due to a failed CVT), I just wanted a vehicle that would perform closer to the more capable older Subarus with automatic transmissions, but it turns out my Passport has been WAAAAAAY more capable than I could have ever originally imagined. With the trailsport badge, IMO, Honda is finally letting the world know… it’s class leading AWD. For those reading this comments and searching for technical data. My 2019 Honda Passport has a 20.4:1 crawl ratio and a very willing torque converter. In my 2.5 years of ownership, this vehicle has never “stalled” like in most other AWDs, the wheels will always spin in my Passport. The more advanced AWD systems have something called a “twin clutch” rear differential. Lockers are amazing, and these things can mimic one (but when the going gets tough, they do slip). Vehicle like the Pilot, Passport and Ridgeline have them, but also vehicles like the Bronco sport badlands, Excursion have them as well. Watch the video comparisons by Sarah N Tuned and Driving Sports TV and you’ll see a massive difference in capability.
I meant to mention this in my video, but when you traded in your Subaru Forester for a Honda Passport, I thought you were nuts. Until I saw what you could do with it. I have been nothing but impressed ever since. This is a legit option for backcountry adventuring.
@@softroadingthewest many people thought I was crazy, but I saw the potential. TFL and drive sports TV showcased the midsized Hondas doing amazing things. TFL had the gold mine hill obstacle, and the Pilot and Ridgeline were the few vehicles that got up it, and easily, and this was back in 2016, there was a very capable AWD system that went under the radar. The Outback attempted and failed the test. So many people were angry, so they did the test again and the oiutback barely made it up (they had to use momentum after many tries).
Soooo Subaru wasn't there? Haven't heard nor seen anything from or about Subaru at the Expo?
Keep up the Great Work guys.
@@tpseeker3367 toyota has never been there either! Actually I was visited by Toyota guys that revealed themselves to me that said they were scouting the event. Volkswagen and Nissan made an appearance. And there were plenty of Subarus and Toyota vehicles from other owners 😃. The Honda booth was cool, I spent 2 days straight there and like Donald said, it was full of activity. Thanks to all that visited me!
Thanks @@JonDZ_Adventuring. Seems like since you & Donald upgraded it's a rarity to see Subies even mentioned anymore (except that new thing). Keep up the Great Work guys.
Totally agree with your opening remarks on the big rigs. That Honda looks intriguing.
This is why you stay as my #1 VLOGer!! Being grounded and realistic is so important. What you have and the attachments "you build" are more impressive than any big rigs. Keep staying your course.... Although, I never doubt you'd stray anyway Donald. Thanks again.
This is the reason why I asked Honda if they would invite Donald. He doesn’t drive one, but he’s “real”, “grounded” and “trustworthy”. There’s no hype from him, he just speaks the truth.
100% agree with your take on the $100k dedicated overlander rigs, and maintaining a more realistic approach. That attitude is why I'll be watching your coverage of the expo. Tha ks for bringing us along!
Thank you for your initial comments. You are right many people can’t afford a lot of these rigs these people are building. So it’s nice to have you showing practical ways to do the same things for the every day person!
It feels like Honda came out of nowhere with that vehicle. Looking forward to seeing how it performs!
Me too, always good to see another player out there pushing the competitors! It benefits us all regardless of what we drive.
We truly are experiencing the mecca of vehicle options. If your budget is $5k or $500,000 there is an amazing vehicle out there to explore with. I truly believe the best money you can spend is on adventure gas and I love that this Honda is capable and affordable.
Excellent points Jared, couldn't agree more!
Great video Donald. Great job to Jon.
I agree DJ! Donald did a great job!
Donald thanks for the video! I have always been a Honda fan I am glad they are finally making their vehicles more off road ready. I have owned two Ridgelines and they were good car/trucks. I have often wondered why they didn’t get and off road option. Looks like they are off to a good start. On one of you other videos you talked Chris Venture4WD I just knew you would have an interview. Again, thanks so much for your hard work
I didn't do a very good job filming with Chris alas...I shut the camera off during the time when we actually just kind of casually chatted and talked shop a bit. * facepalm * Unsurprisingly, suuuuper kind and gracious guy in person. Hopefully I can do a little better next time. :-)
Awesome video Donald, big fan of JonDZ 👍
Hello Gearlist!!!! 👋
@@JonDZ_Adventuring the legend himself!! 🙌😎
@@gearlist /Jon’s EGO has entered the comment section ☺️
Great to see Honda stepping up with a capable and pretty cool entry into practical offroading. No surprise to many of us that are amazed at our long-term first-gen Honda Pilots ability.
I am super bummed that I couldn't make it up to Overland Expo this year; I missed all of my YT faves, especially you, Donald! Glad you made it down here and maybe we'll get you back down here next year!
I'm a big fan of JonDZ, too! What he does in his Passport is impressive. The new Trailsport is interesting and I hope they bring everything you see on this prototype to the showroom floor.
My overall experience at Expo was quite positive. I hope to be back next year...see you then!
Donald had a super busy Expo 😃! I was at the Honda both for all but 2 hours. I wouldn’t mind going back as a consumer next time around, but I wouldn’t hesitate to work the both again if I got the invite.
Great vid! What a fascinating vehicle, certainly on my radar when it's time for a new ride.
Nice vid! The presented Honda and also JonDZ-s Honda look bad-ass!
🙌 woooo! Thanks @wander Antics
Your opening statement is why I watch your channel. Well that and I moved to Oregon a few years ago 😂
Good stuff! And kudos to Honda. A new car I'm actually interested in!
I think the fact that you DON'T have one of those dedicated big rigs makes your channel more relatable to us viewers.
You show us ways to make it affordable.
Your commentary at the start of the video is spot on Donald! I just watched an expo video and was telling my wife that it sickens me to see where expo is going. It looks more like SEMA these days than a gathering of like minded folks who like travel and camping.
Would love to see a trail sport vs ford bronco sport badlands go head to head glad this segment is getting some love and is getting everyday ppl out and exploring. Keep up the great work, your content just keeps getting better and better!
Not a Honda fan really, but will be interesting to see the actual mechanical reliability off road with minimal issues, replace the OEM tires with some new A/T or M/T rubber & it will more capable. Great content Donald as always, thanks
I have 86K on my Passport. My first Honda ever, but can confirm they are overbuilt. I haven’t even changed my brakes yet and I’ve been running 2.5” taller tires since 8K. I’m pleasantly surprised, nothing has failed yet. I will disclose that because of the aggressive gearing, I don’t have to use momentum like in other AWDs. That plays a big part in avoiding unnecessary abuse.
Unless the average guy hits the lottery jackpot they will never be able to afford a 500+K overland rig like everyone likes to show at the Overland Expo's. Good video, looking forward to seeing more of your from the expo.👍🏻😎
Yep. And I know it's fun to oooh and aaah at cool dream-world toys, and that's perfectly fine for those who enjoy it, but it just doesn't feel like productive use of my time. I stepped into just one of these big camper trucks at Expo, and it was literally bigger inside than an apartment I had in my early 20s, heh. And yet on my channel, I get people griping at *me* that I'm not *truly* camping because I'm sleeping in the back of my truck instead of hiking three days into the wilderness and sleeping on the ground in a shelter made out of twigs, LOL. I much prefer to focus on what I can realistically do to dial in a setup I can actually afford, rather than ogle someone else's fantasyland build that cost more than my house. :-)
@@softroadingthewest Agreed. 👍🏻 Camping is camping, doesn't matter if you hike/backpack, horseback, boat, or drive into the back country, sleep in a hammock, tent or in a vehicle, it's still camping.
PAW Adventures, that’s what overland expo has been about, a movement to make overlanding “ELITE”. Telling us we need to start with a $65K rig and spend another $40K in upgrades… MINIMUM! The people marketing succeeded in the beginning. Overlanding was synonymous with “Off-road” (which is the Sport of tackling rough terrain”. It’s refreshing to start seeing rigs that are more cost effective, onroad friendly and daily drivable.
I totally agree with the whole earthmover/expedition rigs, I always wonder how in the world do these people afford to do this all the time. As you have seen, my sequoia is my main mode of transportation, I daily it to and from work and then do an overlanding trip occasionally. I do carry a bunch of stuff in it at all times because of the commute and having the wakeup of the major snow we had a few years back where it shut down Portland period and took me 3.5 hours to get from Beaverton to Salem on back roads because of the major panic that sat in and the clogging of roads because of that.
Thanks Donald. I can't wait for the nissan specific episode. I need some ideas for my Xterra.
Okayyyy, this is pretty damn cool! Thanks for sharing with us! 😊
Smaller vehicles make Overlanding more fun because you don't have to seek out the narly roads any forest road will do. Thanks for the video! George.
Haha, indeed! Thanks George!
Hey! Just an off the wall comment about your music choices... EXCELLENT! Really liked that jam at the end. So many content creators use that artificial electronica weird fake voice thing, I can't watch 'em. Not yours! Thanks for that! (Really contributes well, showing off your design background, too. IMHO.)
Ive got a little Kia Sportage. Picked it up cheap for an inbetween car. Was going to sell it. But the little thing has a chassis like a truck and is more than capable off road. Loves the beach.
That's awesome! I had no idea they were body-on-frame.
@@softroadingthewest it's a 97 model. Would be an awesome starter for the kids. Can pick them up as cheap as chips with low miles
@@softroadingthewest first Gen RAV4s were true 4WD. Crazy huh?
You're right: It IS refreshing to see options for us "common-folk." ;-) Thanks for sharing!
18inch wheels... should be 16 so you can put thicker tires if you want
Looks like a cool car. Unfortunately they aren't selling it in Australia and it appears that Honda are retreating from our market by replacing the dealerships with agents.
I hear it’s the most American 🇺🇸 car made in the USA. It was designed by American Honda Motor company and made of around 85% of American made parts. I think the USA and Canada is the only place this vehicle is sold. BUT…. Australia gets waaaaaaay cooler off-road vehicle options, we are so jealous!
how does it stack up against the bronco sport... thats the real test
Looks awesome that, honda actually has a really good awd drive system
Few people know! 😃
His rig could have trouble going up a curb & I'm still in love with it just because of the Mythosaur skull badge on the grill!
(Nice to learn it's a capable as well as geekily stylish ride)
ooh, yes, Nissan specific stuff from Expo...if you found some, would be welcomed.
Nismo Off-road had a presence at the Expo
@@JonDZ_Adventuring I saw their bumper, shocks, and wheels online. too bad Bilstein is so backed up.
As you see my overlander you will see I couldn't afford much but I wouldn't have my vehicle any other way. 😁
Subaru Crosstrek has 8.7 inch ground clearance and is 23k base price. This is 33k base price, and it has 8.1 inches.
Clearance at the rear diff and oil Pan is 9 inches. The lowest hanging point is the muffler, which, as you may know can take a hit and is held up by stretchable hangers. The side will clearance is over 12”. To put that in perspective, a Subaru Outback wilderness with 9.5” of clearance has a 11.5” side sill. A $33k Passport sport is more capable and cheaper than a Subaru Outback wilderness.
Thanks for sharing Angel Soft
Haha, I knew someone would catch that. There's actually a funny little story that goes along with that package, I'll be telling it somewhere in Utah in the upcoming episodes. :-)
@@softroadingthewest Oh..Utah my favorite state....btw have a Taco but I'm a long time Honda fan ...I drove my mom's Honda 600 sedan back in the 70's way before Honda cars got popular...2 cyl. air cooled car
As a Forester driver it is a shame Subaru have gone the other way. A few years ago the Forester was available with a low ratio gearbox and so much other stuff. Now (in the UK) its simply a low profile, low front bumpered electric/hybrid.
I remember when Subaru was a different company back in the day. They listened to what their customers wanted. In the USA, 50% of all WRXs were hatch backs, in 2015 they discontinued them, and sounds like they don’t plan on bringing them back for the new WRX. Back in 2008 they carried over the same power train from the GM era 2007 Hawkeye WRX. Under toyota ownership, they had fierce criticism that the car got bigger and heavier but not more powerful. For 2009 they gave them the VF48 turbo and it did 0-60 a whole second faster. Btw, I owned a 2010 WRX and a 2015 FXT. Totally different company now. The next decade will be interesting, with the switch to EVs, we will have to see who evolves and who goes instinct. I know Subaru is heavily invested in the newish technology. Maybe they’re waiting for their time to shine ✨
I would like to see how you pack you gear including the Gazelle Tent into your Nissan Frontier. On the topic of Honda Passport, do you know if the transmission is the same in the Trailsport? I am a Honda guy, Ridgeline and Pilot, I have seen videos of the transmission over heating when crawling, Not sure what was going on or how legit those videos were. your thoughts.
I only camped a couple of times with the Gazelle and the Frontier, and I just threw it in the back of the truck. My Frontier had a BakFlip bed cover on it when I bought it, which was nice to keep the camping gear protected. But I very quickly moved to an aluminum contractor canopy and now I only use the Gazelle when one of my kids comes along and I need more shelter (in which case, I just toss it on top of the bed I have built in my canopy).
I believe the Trailsport transmission is the same, yes. JonDZ Adventuring is a fan of that transmission and I believe he has probably pushed it harder than anyone else. I would pose any questions about it on his channel, he is far more qualified to answer your questions than me. :-)
This Honda would be way better with a built in Ursa Minor tent like how they built the element but whats sup jon dz
I think the Ursa Minor is awesome, but it seems like they need a fairly square-ish vehicle to build them onto? A Passport with an integrated pop-up would be a superb overlander/daily driver solution though!
Hello 👋 GZ!!!
I just can't get used to using buttons to engage the tranny. Also the orange tow hooks look childish. Would like to have heard more about the front and rear departure angles, locking rear diff, low gear range etc. Am looking forward to more from you on the expo. Thanks for bringing this to us.
Small price to pay to have class leading “twin clutch” AWD and a 20.4:1 crawl ratio. The rear differential in the passport can mimic a lock, but it’s not a true mechanical locker like in Donald’s Nissan Pro 4X. It’s very very effective though, and Ford actually calls it a locker in their Bronco Sport Badlands. The approach angle on this project vehicle should be around 24 deg, departure at 30 deg, but minus about 3 deg for the stock version. Ford is really stepping up their game as well, and that’s who Honda is competing with.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring I've seen a few videos of the Bronco Sport Badlands now with their rear "locker" and some vids it works well and other situations it doesn't work at all. I hope Honda's system is much better.
Any idea when this would be on sale, or did I miss that?
@oldmillrd I agree that the reveal presentation was lacking some of the substance it could have had. Which is unfortunate, because they have nothing to gloss over here. As far as AWD family cars go, it's nicely designed and very well engineered to also serve as a backcountry explorer, and I wish they would have talked up some of the technical stuff I don't have the understanding to present myself. :-)
@@gs98999 it’s not a rear locker. Ford claims it is, and Honda doesn’t publicize how special it is. If the rear wheels don’t spin at the same rate, it’s not a true mechanical locker. Watch driving sports TV’s episode of the Ford Bronco sport badlands vs. the Crosstrek sport and you’ll see a massive difference.
Yay!
i wonder how this compares to the outback wilderness
They’re very different 😉
I don't have firsthand experience driving either, but based on what I have learned about both, the entire Passport drivetrain appears much more capable in the area that matters to me, which is performance off pavement. The Passport is a bit bulky for my tastes - I do prefer the shape & size of the Forester - but ultimately the superior trail performance Honda has engineered would sway me.
Or the crosstrek.
@@Memetologist it would be very similar to these results. Crosstrek sport vs. the Bronco sport badlands:
ua-cam.com/video/tLW5TNxxq34/v-deo.html
The Passport has a similar AWD system that are equipped with the GKN twinster, like the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring but like the host said that was a 40k bronco sport against a 27k Crosstrek. Sure the Subaru struggled more, but ultimately completed the trail just fine. I wouldn't expect anything different when comparing two vehicles like that. They also have a side by side comparison of a 4 runner TRD off road against the Subaru outback wilderness and again the Subaru struggled more against the mighty 4 runner but still completed the course.
Just how fast can JonDZ change his shirts? Very.
Oh that's just special effects all done in post. Premiere Pro now has a new "random plaid" filter I've been playing with. ;-)
Haha! I noticed that too! Great work Donald
Many of us cannot afford those big, built rigs. They are very cool (even the Tacos, Jeeps, etc.) but usually end up being very expensive. It would be nice to have a dedicated vehicle; however, like you said the vehicle has to serve a dual purpose and most of us "regular normal people" don't have the budget to support dedicated vehicles. My Colorado has to serve as my truck for tasks around the house and when I want to use it for camping and light trail riding.
P.S. If you like this Trailsport. Don't get your hopes up. Only a concept. Maybe one day it will come into being.
You should have done the presentation for Honda …you’re doing a much better job then the two dudes
Very interesting to see Honda trying to tap into the off road market. But if I had the money and was in the market for a new off road capable vehicle that could and would take me anywhere, I couldn't justify this purchase. It seems that with all card being overpriced, I'd still buy a 4runner. I see what JonDZ has done with his Passport and it seems that many mods were still required in order for it to be the capable it is today. Could get slightly more from a stock 4runner, and all for a 2mpg sacrifice at best. I don't see it. But great for Honda, I imagine there is s market for it otherwise they would not have manufactured it.
I use to drive a FJ cruiser, and if you drove one too you’d have an understand of why this vehicle made sense for me. The fuel savings are actually more than just 2 mpg. A similarly equipped 4runner within roof mods and A/T’s would be about a 5 mpg difference. Also, the beauty of the Midsized Hondas is that they handle on-road so well. 0-60 according to motortrend, is 6.3 seconds vs. the 4runners 8.0 seconds. The Passport also has yaw control like an Evolution 10. My best description of the Passport is “my FJ cruiser and WRX had a baby”. It makes a great daily driver while still having 4WD like capability, that’s why I still love it after 86K miles and 2.5 years.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring my apologies to you, but I just don't agree but possibly it is all my fault for comparing apples to oranges.
@@nicolasblanc816 no need to apologize, I've driven a Toyota, Subaru and now a Honda. We all have our opinions, but I can tell you mine is based on experience.
@@JonDZ_Adventuring You know, I do enjoy watching your content from time to time, it seems down to earth, but just because I do not make videos about my "adventures", it is not very mature to assume that you are the only one who has the "experience". I will throw my 40 years of driving. It has become interested how the only comments here getting your reply are those that do not seem to agree with your bias Honda view. Great content .
@@nicolasblanc816 I didn’t assume that you “didn’t have experience”, did it come off that way? You said you disagreed, and I mentioned that I have experience with the FJ cruiser, Forester XT and Honda Passport. As far as comment replies, the only comments at the beginning of this videos release were …. Negative. I didn’t have any positive comments to reply to. I get notifications when you reply, so here I am replying to you. Thanks for the support, I didn’t mean to come off as “triggered”, I promised, I’m not. I’m just trying to help people. I’ve been down the Toyota road, I’ve been down the Subaru road, the Honda midsized road offers a pleasantly surprising mix of both those roads.
Cheers
Maybe Subaru is still the reigning king of unibody softroaders but maybe Honda has leapfrogged the RAV4 (which my current vehicle). I'd definitely consider this vs RAV4 at this point.
I'm sad that subaru is getting junk. I own a sj forester but I feel like Honda will surpass subies In terms of capability
I would not call Subaru junk by any means. I still think they're great cars. They just have let their former off-road prowess slip down in their priorities. Their AWD system is much more centered around safety and keeping the car on the road in adverse conditions - and it works fabulously for that and saved my butt a number of times. :-)
Gen 1 VW TOUAREG Is the best softroader
That thing is a beast. Full time 4WD with lockers. Is that even a soft roader?
@@JonDZ_Adventuring stop making
Your own categories up jon. 😂 hondas making a great car though no doubt. Any ideas on the price?
@@mallkrawlerz620 🤣🤣 but, but your Gen 1 Touareg has a center and rear mechanical differential lock and a true low gear transfer case. How is that a soft roader? 🤣🤣 I hear they designed the Touareg to be a Europe military vehicle. I have no idea how much the trailsport trim will cost.
It's pretty much all vanity right now with the Passport. I think Honda wanted to rush a product out there with badging to get in on the trend. Maybe in a couple years they'll have something that improves its capability off road. Bronco Sport badlands or a Jeep Cherokee trailhawk are better options right now if people want to buy something built from the factory with the intention of going off-road. Also, they at least have actual rated recovery points.
As Matt from Honda said at the beginning of his presentation, this prototype is sort of a flagship demonstrating their intentions. They have to start somewhere, and I say good on them for doing so. While this obviously isn't a production vehicle yet, it's well beyond some superficial cladding and a new badge. Serious skid plates, increased ground clearance, smaller radius OEM wheels and full size spare are functional upgrades that extend beyond "vanity" IMO. These recovery points, as I understand it, have actually been in place (and put to use) on their Rebelle Rally vehicle, according to driver Tasha who was in attendance.
I can't speak for everyone, but my personal experience with the reliability of Honda and other Japanese cars vs American cars - and I've owned many from both categories including Ford, Chevy, Dodge as well as Honda, Subaru and Toyota - makes me excited to see Honda taking steps in this direction. This story isn't about what to go out and buy today (though Jon has proven that the plain ol' Passport is undeniably a legit option) but rather about what Honda is aiming to do, and their willingness to listen to community needs & feedback to develop a practical vehicle that offers both city manners and trail capability, for those who need both in a single rig.
At the end of the day, I personally don't care what anyone buys and drives. I'm not here to advertise for Honda and have zero interest in their bottom line. But more players in this game means more competition, more motivation for *every* company to continue improving their product rather than resting on the laurels of their names & legacies, and that ultimately means better choices all around for ALL of us, regardless of what we ultimately decide to drive. I feel Honda's initiative here should be applauded rather than dismissed.
@@softroadingthewest , you and the Magician are both right. It’s my understanding that the immediate 2022 trailsport will have 18 inch wheels and they all come with AWD. The Passport is actually more capable than the Bronco sport, better gearing and a V6 with 200 torque at idle. BUT, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk takes the cake 🎂 with a true mechanical locker and a 56:1 crawl ratio with true 4 low engaged. I’m definitely excited to see what the trail sport evolves into 😃.
Sell Your House Get One Of These And You Will Be Able To Get Somewhere When The End Comes And Spend Your Last Days In Peace.
"This Guy" hahahaha
Haha...I'm not too up on TV people. Did I undersell that? I couldn't remember his name and had never seen him before Expo. :-) FWIW, he was pretty awesome.
Shut up and take my money
Little more family-friendly than the Crosstrek to be sure.
Interesting. I heard about Honda AWD SH system that is rally good. My concern is off camber spot . I had Grand Cherokee and it's perform well on tough spot maybe ground clearance even with 2 inch lift . But what is scare me away from this suv is ability to flex with high weight loads on roof. This suv become a very tipping and doesn't feel stable with weight. The off road is not just clearance and drive train but also ability be stable on tricky situations. Like even take this last event happened in Bear pass CO another plunge into cliff. And many people did that is in very not off road vehicles but it's just enough to make one mistake and you can kill yourself and your family. Another expect of this is the travel alone or with your family and no good spotter. I like ideas of this SuV but unfortunately most beautiful places and no people are required to have good off road truck with winch .
Bro, first time ever I gotta stop ya. All marketing fluff. Wow, raise it a bit and throw on some badges and orange tow hooks and color me sold. I'd even pay $20k over retail for it. Isn't that how people do things these days? I got a '18 Outback with 3K in upgrades that were thoughtful enough I can run circles around that vehicle. It's like the Subaru Wilderness Edition. Go ahead and spend 10 grand more. I'll still beat you to the top.
“Nice cladding” said no one ever. Yuck