The 2020 Honda Passports shared a lot of the same data with the 2021 and 2022 models, like their towing capacity specs, but there were some slight differences that needed to be noted.
These SUVs were able to achieve a maximum rating of up to 5,000 pounds on the higher end of the spectrum, but some models were only able to achieve 2,750 lbs. of pulling power, so you need to know what you needed to have equipped in order to achieve those higher ratings.
You will want to read through your owner's manual to get familiar with your 2020 Passport and it is important that you adhere to all of Honda's requirements and recommendations.
2020 Passport Overview
Overall Towing Capacity: If we look at all of the available options for the 2020 Honda Passport models, we can see a general overall towing capacity of between 2,750-5,000 lbs.
If we break down the data even further by all-wheel drive and two-wheel drive models, which were the two main options that showed the most significant differences in the trailer weight ratings, we can see very different ranges.
For two-wheel drive models, the capacity range was between 2,750-3,500 lbs. and if we look at the all-wheel-drive models, we can see this range was a lot higher in general, having a 4,250 lb. rating on the low-end and a 5,000 pound rating on the high end.
The weight ratings that were on the lower end of the spectrum had five occupants in the vehicle and the highest ratings only had two occupants in the vehicle, which was another main factor that determined your overall trailer weight rating.
Engine Options: There were no real engine options for the 2020 Passports, just like a lot of the other model years, in fact there was only one engine choice and this was a 3.5 L engine that was used on many other Honda vehicles as well.
This is the main reason that the charts are so minimal because the only variations that we see are in the drivetrain configurations, the number of occupants in the vehicle and optional accessories. Engine options did not further complicate the chart with more variables.
Trim Levels: There were four different trim levels that were available for these model year SUVs, but that had no impact on the weight ratings that were specified in the chart. Some trim levels have the option of having either a 2-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration, which would indirectly affect the trailer weight ratings, but the trim levels did not directly affect the numbers, like other factors did.
Assumed Weight: If we look at the chart, we can see that the highest trailer weight ratings were listed with two occupants in the vehicle, which means that Honda assumes two occupants in the vehicle in order to achieve those higher ratings that were listed.
If we look at the bottom of the chart in the notes section, we can see that Honda did specify a weight for each occupant in the vehicle and this was set at 150 pounds per occupant plus an additional 17.6 pounds of cargo for each occupant. That gives us a grand total of 167.6 pounds per occupant in the vehicle, which is the assumed weight of each occupant.
The Chart:
The chart for the 2020 Honda Passports was pretty simple and there was not much data to navigate through, as there was only one engine option for these vehicles and there were only a few variables that impacted the ratings.
If we look at the chart, we can see that Honda listed the number of occupants in the vehicle and according to how many people were in the vehicle, you had a specified maximum trailer weight rating. This rating did get reduced as you had more occupants in the vehicle.
You can also see two columns that are dedicated to all wheel drive models, one for models that did not have an ATF cooler installed and the other four models that did. There was also a column for two-wheel drive models, which shared the same exact specs that the all-wheel-drive models without the ATF cooler.
If you did not have one of these coolers installed on your vehicle, then your maximum trailer weight rating was limited to 3,500 pounds, but if you did have one of these coolers installed then you were able to achieve that higher 5,000 pound rating.
Tongue Weight Rating:
The trailer tongue load rating was specified for two specific types of trailers and the two specifications were for boat trailers and then all other types of trailers.
Honda specified that the tongue load for boat trailers should be 5 to 15% of the total trailer weight and for all other types of trailers this amount was increased to 10 to 15% of the total trailer weight.
We can also see in the chart, that the maximum tongue load weight ratings were listed for both the all-wheel-drive models and the two-wheel drive models. Notice how the all-wheel-drive models had the same maximum tongue load weight rating, no matter if you had the ATF cooler installed or not.
Trailer Brakes:
If you are planning on pulling 1,000 pounds or more with your trailer and you have a 2020 Passport, then you will need to have trailer brakes installed on your trailer, as it is a requirement by Honda.
It is also a requirement for most states, and each state will have their own set of laws regarding trailer weight and trailer brakes. You will have to check your own state's regulations to see what they require in order to stay compliant.
Trim Levels:
There were four different trim levels offered for the 2020 models and in the spec sheet, these four models were listed as the: Sport, EX-L, Touring and Elite models. In the spec sheet, I was also able to find a drop-down that shows you which models had a 2-wheel drive and all-wheel drive option, which we can see was every single model except for the Elite models, which only had an all-wheel drive option.
Remember, in order to achieve that high 5,000 pound rating, you will need to have an all-wheel drive model that has the ATF cooler equipped.
GVWR, GCWR and GAWR Figures:
I was browsing through the owner's manual and came across a chart that lists the gross combined weight ratings, along with the gross vehicle weight ratings, and the gross axle weight ratings. These are typically not used by most people, but if you're making more complex load calculations, then you will need to know these three specs.
GCWR: The gross combined weight rating was listed in the chart as just gross combined and if we look at the data we can see that two-wheel drive models had a maximum weight rating of 8,025 pounds and the all-wheel-drive models had a rating of 9,755 pounds.
GVWR: The gross vehicle weight rating specs were also shortened to just gross vehicle in the chart and these were the same for both 2-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, having a maximum weight capacity of 5,291 pounds.
GAWRs: If we look at the gross axle weight ratings, we can see that for the front axle, the two-wheel drive models had a maximum weight capacity listed at 2,734 pounds, while the all-wheel drive models had a slightly higher capacity of 2,855 pounds.
The rear axle had a little bit more capacity overall and was listed at 2,965 pounds for two-wheel drive models and 3,141 pounds for all-wheel-drive models.
Notes On The Transmission Cooler...
I did mention earlier in this article that the all-wheel-drive models were the only models that could achieve the higher 5,000 pound rating that was listed in the chart because these models had the option of having the ATF cooler installed. The two-wheel drive models did not have this option and were limited to that lesser, 3,500 pound maximum rating.
Other Notes I Found:
I was able to find a couple of additional notes that I thought were worth mentioning and these touched on the minimum octane rating of gasoline, how performance of the vehicle can be affected by certain outside elements and the use of weight distribution hitches.
Honda recommends that you use a minimum octane rating of gasoline of 87 and remember, this is a minimum rating, you could always use a higher rating but never go below an 87 octane rating.
They also mentioned that the performance of the vehicle can be affected by certain factors that you might encounter on the road such as higher altitude areas, steep uphill grades or higher outside temperatures.
These conditions can affect the vehicle's performance and you will have to compensate for these by reducing your speed and RPMs and watching your temperature gauge, as these are some of the more strenuous factors that can really put a lot of additional stress on your vehicle, especially when all three are present, simultaneously.
