1998 Honda Passport: Specs, Trims, Reliability, and What Buyers Should Know

The 1998 Honda Passport sits in an interesting corner of automotive history — a mid-size SUV wearing Honda badges but built on a platform shared with the Isuzu Rodeo. If you're researching one as a used buy, trying to track down parts, or simply curious about what you're looking at in a driveway or listing, here's what this vehicle actually is and how it works.

What Is the 1998 Honda Passport?

The Passport was part of a badge-engineering arrangement between Honda and Isuzu. Honda didn't design or manufacture this SUV independently — it was produced by Isuzu and sold through Honda dealerships. Mechanically, the 1998 Passport is essentially identical to the second-generation Isuzu Rodeo. This matters for anyone sourcing parts, because many components are interchangeable between the two, and Rodeo parts are often easier to find.

The 1998 model year falls within the second-generation Passport (1998–2002), which brought a redesigned body, revised suspension, and updated interior compared to the first generation.

Engine and Drivetrain

The 1998 Passport came with one engine option:

The part-time 4WD system uses a traditional transfer case with high and low range. This is not an all-wheel-drive system — it's designed for off-road or low-traction use, not for use on dry pavement in 4WD mode. Driving in 4WD on dry, hard surfaces can cause drivetrain binding and damage to the transfer case or axles.

The 3.2L V6 was a reasonably capable engine for its era, though it's not known for fuel efficiency — expect figures in the low-to-mid teens in city driving and high teens on the highway, depending on condition, driving habits, and maintenance history.

Trim Levels

The 1998 Passport was offered in two main configurations:

• LX — Base trim with standard features
• EX — Upper trim adding leather seating, a sunroof, and additional convenience features

Both trims were available with either 2WD or 4WD. The EX with 4WD was the top configuration for buyers who wanted both comfort and capability.

Common Ownership Considerations 🔧

Because this vehicle is now 25+ years old, condition varies enormously from one example to the next. A few areas that owners and prospective buyers commonly focus on:

Timing belt: The 3.2L V6 is an interference engine, which means if the timing belt fails, serious internal engine damage typically results. The timing belt should be replaced on a mileage/age interval — if there's no documentation of replacement on an older Passport, this is a significant item to evaluate before purchase or use.

Rust: Like most vehicles of this era, frame and undercarriage rust is a real concern, especially in regions that use road salt. A thorough undercarriage inspection matters more on a vehicle this age than almost any other single factor.

Transmission and transfer case: The automatic transmission and transfer case both have known maintenance requirements around fluid changes. Neglected fluid can accelerate wear. On high-mileage examples, shift quality and 4WD engagement are worth checking.

Emissions and inspection: Depending on your state, a vehicle this age may be exempt from emissions testing (many states exempt vehicles over 25 years old) or may face stricter scrutiny if the OBD-II system flags issues. Requirements vary significantly by state and sometimes by county.

Parts Availability

Because the Passport shares its platform with the Isuzu Rodeo, the parts supply is broader than the Passport nameplate alone suggests. Many mechanical components — engine, transmission, suspension, and brake parts — cross-reference between the two. Body and trim pieces specific to the Passport can be harder to source, but the mechanical commonality helps keep this vehicle maintainable compared to some orphaned platforms.

What Shapes Value and Usability Today

A 1998 Passport's real-world value and usability depend heavily on factors no listing or general guide can fully account for:

• Documented maintenance history, particularly timing belt, transmission fluid, and cooling system service
• Regional rust exposure — a Passport from a dry-climate state is a fundamentally different vehicle than one from the rust belt
• Drivetrain configuration — 4WD examples add capability but also add potential mechanical complexity and maintenance points
• Mileage relative to service history, not just mileage alone
• Whether it was used for off-road or towing, which accelerates wear on components like the transfer case, differential, and frame mounting points

Trim level affects comfort and features but doesn't significantly change the mechanical picture. The engine and transmission are the same across configurations.

Title, Registration, and Classic Status 🚗

At 25+ years old, the 1998 Passport may qualify for antique, classic, or historic vehicle registration in some states, which can reduce registration fees and change inspection requirements. Some states set the threshold at 25 years, others at 20 or 30. These designations often come with restrictions — some states limit annual mileage for vehicles registered under historic classifications, and rules around insurance requirements can differ as well.

Whether a particular state's classic vehicle rules apply to a given Passport, and whether those rules are advantageous, depends entirely on that state's current statutes and the owner's intended use.

The 1998 Passport is a straightforward vehicle from a straightforward era — but how it holds up, what it costs to own, and whether it fits a given buyer's needs comes down to the specific truck and the specific situation it's going into.