Push Button Tranny

I doubt the switches have any special seals. Typical electrical connections should shield from moisture. Large spills will simply drain down into the nether regions under the center console. Yuck!

Since some Pilot trims have the 6-speed transmission, it was likely most cost effective to simply replace the stick shift with the push-button module. Passport is simply borrowing from Pilot. Same as how different Accord trims with different transmissions types place the shifter in the same location. A benefit of the same location as "normal" shifters is to familiarize and assimilate Honda drivers (there are many) with this "new" way of shifting gears. Honda probably thinks that putting it up on the dash will be "too much too soon" for Joe and Jane Driver and all forms of DWS (drivng while stupid) accidents will be blamed on "muh push buttons confused me". I don't like the location, but I can understand why they are putting it there and unifying the ergonomics across models. The first " baby-step" is to simply place the push button module in the exact same location where other shifter types would be.

Some manufacturers are using a rotary dial. I like how RAM Truck does it by putting the dial selector on the dash just to the right of the steering wheel. Leaves the center console wide open and useful.