2002 Honda Passport SUV: Specs, History, and What Buyers Should Know

The 2002 Honda Passport sits at an interesting crossroads in automotive history — a Honda-badged SUV that was actually built by Isuzu. If you're researching this vehicle for a potential purchase, trying to understand what you're looking at in a used car listing, or sorting out its quirks and ownership realities, here's what you need to know about how this truck-based SUV works and where it fits in the used market.

What the Honda Passport Actually Is

The Honda Passport was never engineered from scratch by Honda. It was a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo, produced through a joint manufacturing partnership. Honda sold the Passport from the 1994 model year through 2002, which was its final production year. The 2002 model is therefore the last of the line — and in some ways, the most refined version.

This distinction matters when you're researching the vehicle. Parts, service manuals, and mechanical knowledge base around the Isuzu Rodeo platform apply directly to the Passport. Mechanics familiar with one are generally familiar with the other.

Powertrain and Drivetrain: What's Under the Hood

The 2002 Passport came with a single engine option:

The part-time 4WD system uses a traditional transfer case with 2H, 4H, and 4L settings. This is not an all-wheel drive system — it's designed for off-road or low-traction use and should not be engaged on dry pavement, which can cause driveline binding and damage.

Fuel economy was modest for the era: expect roughly 15–18 mpg combined, depending on trim, condition, driving habits, and whether the vehicle has 2WD or 4WD. These figures vary and a vehicle this age may perform differently based on maintenance history.

Trim Levels and Features

The 2002 Passport was offered in two trims:

• LX — Base trim with cloth seats, air conditioning, and standard safety features
• EX — Added leather seating, a sunroof, running boards, and upgraded audio

Neither trim included features common to modern SUVs like stability control, blind-spot monitoring, or advanced driver assistance systems. Safety technology reflects the standards of 2002 — dual front airbags were standard, but side curtain airbags and electronic stability control were not part of the package.

Body-on-Frame Construction 🛻

Unlike car-based crossovers that dominate today's market, the 2002 Passport uses body-on-frame construction — the same fundamental architecture as a truck. The body is bolted to a separate steel frame rather than forming a unified structure. This approach offers:

• Greater towing capacity (rated around 5,000 lbs when properly equipped)
• More rugged off-road durability
• Easier frame repair after certain types of damage
• A stiffer, less car-like ride compared to unibody crossovers

If you're comparing the Passport to, say, a Honda CR-V from the same era, you're comparing fundamentally different vehicle architectures.

Common Ownership Considerations for a 20+ Year Old Vehicle

Any vehicle from 2002 is now over two decades old. That age bracket brings specific ownership realities regardless of make, model, or original build quality.

Mechanical wear items that typically need attention at this age include:

• Timing belt (the 3.2L V6 is interference engine — a broken timing belt causes severe engine damage)
• Coolant hoses, belts, and rubber seals
• Suspension bushings and ball joints
• Brake hardware and rotors
• Fuel system components

The timing belt service interval on this engine was typically around 60,000–75,000 miles. On a 20-year-old vehicle with unknown or incomplete records, confirming this service has been performed — or budgeting to have it done — is a practical priority before purchase. Labor and parts costs for this job vary by region and shop.

Rust is a significant variable. Body-on-frame trucks accumulate rust on the frame, floor pans, and underbody components, particularly in states that use road salt in winter. A Passport that spent its life in Arizona presents a very different ownership picture than one from Minnesota or Michigan. 🔍

Parts Availability and the Isuzu Connection

Because the Passport shares its platform with the Isuzu Rodeo, parts sourcing expands considerably when you shop under both names. Isuzu dealers no longer operate in the U.S., but the aftermarket parts supply for Rodeo/Passport components remains reasonably active. Honda dealerships can still source some OEM parts, though availability naturally thins for a discontinued model this old.

What This Means for Buyers in the Used Market

The 2002 Passport occupies a specific niche: a truck-based, V6-powered, mid-size SUV from a well-known brand, built on a platform with a longer service history than its Honda badge suggests. It has legitimate towing capability, real 4WD hardware, and enough Honda brand recognition to appear in used car searches — which sometimes means pricing reflects that brand name more than the vehicle's actual Isuzu origins.

Used pricing varies considerably based on mileage, location, condition, and seller type. Private party sales, dealer lots, and auction results can differ substantially for the same year and trim.

Whether a 2002 Passport is the right fit depends on factors only you can assess — how you plan to use it, your tolerance for older vehicle maintenance demands, your local climate and road conditions, and what a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic reveals about that specific vehicle's actual condition.