[Patriotsfan2895]

Hi All,

4 days into my new elite, I am from New England so I am excited for a good all wheel drive car for a decent price. Took it on a road trip a couple hours away after first day. I noticed the ride sometimes is a little bumpy but not all the time. I also noticed on my morning commute that there was some more bumpiness in the morning which I am assuming is due to tires having lower air pressure in the cold. 33 psi at start of commute, 39 psi at end of commute. All in all I just brought it and took it to the dealer because it seemed the left side may be a little more bumpy than the right. Steering wheel isn't really shaking just slightly more bumps. 2 people at the dealer drove it and said nothing seems abnormal, I was even in the car and pointed it out some of the bumps but impossible to tell . They told me since its a new car drive it for 500-1,000 miles since things will continue to break in. All in all ride is not bad at all but I may be very nit picky since this is the very first new car I've bought coming off of a Jeep Cherokee trail hawk. So I am wondering has anyone else felt similar rides on the new 2022 elites with the 20 inch wheels. Maybe I just need to adjust to the difference in ride quality from my jeep I had for 8 years to this. Any information helps. Thanks all!

 

[fx_chip]

I don't know about bumpiness but if you are coming from a Jeep Cherokee which typically uses tires with higher sidewall you will certainly feel that the ride of the Passport on the factory wheel and tires is a bit rough. This is not unique to the 2022, my wife drives our 2020 Touring and after a year of ownership she was happy to downsize to 18" wheels and 265/60R18 tires in emulation of what many members of this forum where also doing, the ride was more comfortable and curb rashes stopped being a concern.
You may want to consider swapping out the factory tires of another set of 265/45R20 tires from a different maker or downsizing entirely to 18" inch rims.

 

[saturnotaku]

Such is the nature of rolling dubs especially if you're not otherwise used to them. In my humble, the Passport is among the better vehicles I've driven that had 20s. It's light years better than our old Toyota Venza and heck, I'd say it's only marginally worse than the GMC Terrain SLT I traded for the Passport, and that vehicle had the standard 18s.

 

[Patriotsfan2895]

I don't know about bumpiness but if you are coming from a Jeep Cherokee which typically uses tires with higher sidewall you will certainly feel that the ride of the Passport on the factory wheel and tires is a bit rough. This is not unique to the 2022, my wife drives our 2020 Touring and after a year of ownership she was happy to downsize to 18" wheels and 265/60R18 tires in emulation of what many members of this forum where also doing, the ride was more comfortable and curb rashes stopped being a concern.
You may want to consider swapping out the factory tires of another set of 265/45R20 tires from a different maker or downsizing entirely to 18" inch rims.

Thanks, I think its just me expecting the best out of a brand new car lol. My plan is when it comes to changing the tires to likely downsize to 18's with a more aggressive tread.

 

[carpayments4life]

You ride is not bumpy. It's the way Honda wants it to be.
Putting low profile tires on any car makes the ride bumpy. Passports have 20" low profile tires, except for the new Trailsport.
Also, the springs on the Passport are different from the springs on the Pilot. The Passport springs are stiffer and allow Honda to claim an off-road prowess.
The Pilot rides more like a mini van, but not quite a smooth as a mini van.
Many Passport owners wait until the OEM 20" tires wear down and get new 18" rims and tires.
Check our classified section, for some 18" Trailsport rims/tires, for under $800.

 

[14v6]

Passport is bouncy at times. Ridgeline was like that too. I think it has little to do with the tires as I run 18's in the winter and I don't notice any difference. Nature of the beast I guess.

 

[jasonpp]

The ride is on the firm side for sure but it does handle pretty good for an SUV.

 

[NorthernPassport]

There are many threads on this forum about the ride quality of the PP:

Ride After Switching to 18" Wheels

I have a 2019 Honda Passport Touring and, like a few others, I enjoy everything about the vehicle except the ride quality and some of the handling characteristics. I have test driven the alternative vehicles out there and almost sold the PP a week ago. My primary gripes were all of the chatter...

www.passportforums.com

Ride/suspension question

New member observation/question, The only thing I really don’t like about my 2021 Passport is the ride quality over uneven/bumpy surfaces and am a little perplexed as to the exact cause. It feels stiff and at the same time a little boat-like and unsure. It definitely jostles you on uneven...

www.passportforums.com

including mine:

Harsh Ride & Suspension Differences between Trim Levels

We purchased a 2019 Passport in January of this year. Before purchasing the vehicle, we test drove the base model and due to the sweet end of year pricing, we upgraded to the Touring trim (badged as the ‘Elite’ trim level in the USA). The sales guy said there was no difference in the handling or...

www.passportforums.com

I won't add any new commentary about the issue, I'm still pretty pissed three years later if anyone from Honda cares, selling this trim level into Canada with non-optional low profile tires is asinine. We recently switched to 18" (245/60 R18) winter tires, I would say the floaty/boatyness is significantly improved - I don't make myself car sick driving to the grocery store anymore. That said, the ride is still pretty rough - some part of me still thinks I got a lemon, just can't believe someone would design a vehicle to feel like this in 2020. The shocks on mine are real noisy, even with the new tires. Long story short, you're definitely going to feel the road in your Passport.

The suspension is a real sore spot with me (if you can't tell), I think its the weakest part of the vehicle which mars a truly outstanding AWD system (at any price point). I don't regret my purchase but I wouldn't do it again. Lovin' the ride in my wife's 2006 Kia Sportage tho...

 

[carpayments4life]

For those that own or have owned a domestic full size truck:
The Passport rides rough, like a 3/4 ton truck.
18" rims helped, but the ride is still too masculine.
I'll most likely buy a set of used Pilot springs and swap them out, to try to neutralize the roughness.
Pot hole season is just around the corner.

 

[Gatorgibson]

I love the looks of my 20's but i did go with a michelin 255/55/20 which gives the pp a bit better ride. All in all for the price and considering it is an SUV i think the ride is pretty damn good.

 

[JGRyan]

Hi All,

4 days into my new elite, I am from New England so I am excited for a good all wheel drive car for a decent price. Took it on a road trip a couple hours away after first day. I noticed the ride sometimes is a little bumpy but not all the time. I also noticed on my morning commute that there was some more bumpiness in the morning which I am assuming is due to tires having lower air pressure in the cold. 33 psi at start of commute, 39 psi at end of commute. All in all I just brought it and took it to the dealer because it seemed the left side may be a little more bumpy than the right. Steering wheel isn't really shaking just slightly more bumps. 2 people at the dealer drove it and said nothing seems abnormal, I was even in the car and pointed it out some of the bumps but impossible to tell . They told me since its a new car drive it for 500-1,000 miles since things will continue to break in. All in all ride is not bad at all but I may be very nit picky since this is the very first new car I've bought coming off of a Jeep Cherokee trail hawk. So I am wondering has anyone else felt similar rides on the new 2022 elites with the 20 inch wheels. Maybe I just need to adjust to the difference in ride quality from my jeep I had for 8 years to this. Any information helps. Thanks all!

Pats Fan - the Passport as a whole is a little bumpier than say, the Pilot. That's because it's got a higher spring rate than the Pilot and others - it's the "sportiness" of the ride. I felt my old 2019 Pport Touring was somewhat more compliant than my 2022 Elite. My guess also is that it has the same suspension as the Trailsport which had to be a little stiffer due to Honda touting its off-road capability - so therefore the 2022 has that stiffness too. The Conti's are good tires and once they break in, they also become a little more compliant. They're good all season's too - I never had a problem with them in any condition - especially snow. Everything should smooth out as you put more miles on it. Enjoy your new ride!!

 

[sprocket]

I have a 2019 Elite with a set of 18" wheels w/AT tires and also a set of 18" wheels with soft snow tires and I have to agree the ride quality has got to be one the worst I've ever driven and I like a firm suspension. If you have an Elite don't expect changing to smaller wheels to make a huge difference. If you read thru some of the older threads someone noted there is a difference in the suspension parts on the Elite, I don't remember if it was the spring or the shock.

With that said, does anyone with suspension knowledge think this set of shocks which has adjustable dampening (and adjustable ride height) think these would make a big difference?

Honda Passport Lift Suspension [GR Lite]

Honda Passport Leveling and Lift Suspension These aren't just your average "google search results" shocks you can just buy anywhere. First and foremost these shocks; unlike others, offer adjustable damping so you can tune the shocks to match changing conditions. Firm them up for carrying loads...

flatoutsuspension.net

 

[SCHEND0]

I switched to 18" wheels (from the stock 20"s) for this very reason! Much better.

 

[Bosetsu]

I have a 2019 Elite with a set of 18" wheels w/AT tires and also a set of 18" wheels with soft snow tires and I have to agree the ride quality has got to be one the worst I've ever driven and I like a firm suspension. If you have an Elite don't expect changing to smaller wheels to make a huge difference. If you read thru some of the older threads someone noted there is a difference in the suspension parts on the Elite, I don't remember if it was the spring or the shock.

With that said, does anyone with suspension knowledge think this set of shocks which has adjustable dampening (and adjustable ride height) think these would make a big difference?

Honda Passport Lift Suspension [GR Lite]

Honda Passport Leveling and Lift Suspension These aren't just your average "google search results" shocks you can just buy anywhere. First and foremost these shocks; unlike others, offer adjustable damping so you can tune the shocks to match changing conditions. Firm them up for carrying loads...

flatoutsuspension.net

I was looking at those shocks and though they advertise their products being in the HART rally Passport, there is no indication from the HART team that they used Flatout's shocks. Flatout copied the Honda newsroom information word for word but added the blurb about the Flatout GR plus shocks being swapped in and changed the "stock suspension" part to "all other suspension being stock".

 

[ha-evolution]

The ride of the Passport isn't that bad even with the 20s. Perhaps an Oddysey would have fit your needs better. The Passport is supposed to have some offroad prowess and needs to have stiffer shocks/springs to accomodate that.

 

[Kamuela]

Swapped in 18 inch custom Rhino Rims and Michelin Defenders shortly after buying a new Passport Elite. Much Better ride. No worrying about hitting the rim in parking lots. Michelin Defenders are way better for road conditions in our area than the factory tires.

 

[BlackCarsOnly]

Well, I mean you know how Honda is; they want their vehicles to have an element of asphalt inspired sport. If you're a life long Honda person; that's almost the sole reason you love Honda over their closest competitors.
The wider tires put more rubber on the road, and if you enjoy the twisties on a summer day; it will feel just that much better (while that magical V6 makes the sounds it makes). In the winter I have Michelin ICE (265/45/20), and I accelerate out of corners at a very enjoyable rate, which feels true and stable.
I bought my PP because it's Gnarly in all weather conditions, the engine is legendary, and it's as practical AF.

 

[jasonpp]

Well, I mean you know how Honda is; they want their vehicles to have an element of asphalt inspired sport. If you're a life long Honda person; that's almost the sole reason you love Honda over their closest competitors.
The wider tires put more rubber on the road, and if you enjoy the twisties on a summer day; it will feel just that much better (while that magical V6 makes the sounds it makes). In the winter I have Michelin ICE (265/45/20), and I accelerate out of corners at a very enjoyable rate, which feels true and stable.
I bought my PP because it's Gnarly in all weather conditions, the engine is legendary, and it's as practical AF.

Also lower profile tires help lowering the change of rollovers.

 

[fx_chip]

Well, I mean you know how Honda is; they want their vehicles to have an element of asphalt inspired sport. If you're a life long Honda person; that's almost the sole reason you love Honda over their closest competitors.
The wider tires put more rubber on the road, and if you enjoy the twisties on a summer day; it will feel just that much better (while that magical V6 makes the sounds it makes). In the winter I have Michelin ICE (265/45/20), and I accelerate out of corners at a very enjoyable rate, which feels true and stable.
I bought my PP because it's Gnarly in all weather conditions, the engine is legendary, and it's as practical AF.

I consider myself a life long Honda/Acura person too and I understand Honda kitting and tuning it's sedans like the NSX, Civic Type R, Accord, Integra and TLX to appeal to the Nurburgring spirit in their owners, however, I think a top heavy, 4,200 lbs SUV that Honda markets as a go anywhere, overlanding vehicle deserves tires that puts more distance between it's rims and the road. With it's weight, standard brakes and propensity for body roll the Passport on a race track sounds anomalous IMO.

 

[BangBangBill]

I bought the TS trim only for the fact I could get 18s. By the time I 'upgraded an EX-L to 18s the cost was the same and the TS also comes with a lot more amenities, in dash nav, leather, etc. My last car is an '08 Element on which I've tried several different tires and a new set of wheels. Ellie's ride was never not to my liking but the new wheels made some difference. My PP TS has a much nicer ride even if it's supposedly stiffer i think due to it being heavier and the contact patches are a lot farther apart. I can drive the PP significantly harder than the Element and like BlackCarsOnly said, the sound of that V6....