Honda has recently joined the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle market with its Passport. Amy Pressey, sales manager at Darling’s Honda Nissan Volvo, said that despite increasing competition in the SUV market, she is optimistic about Passport sales.

“It’s the season for SUVs. People will buy them for the Honda name,” Pressey said. “The Passport is one of the SUVs with the most equipment for the least amount of money.”

The updated 1996 Honda Passport SUV, released just prior to Christmas, includes mechanical, safety, and design improvements that the manufacturer hopes will boost its popularity.

Mechanical improvements include a completely redesigned instrument panel and the addition of driver and front-passenger airbags. For the music buff, the stereo system was upgraded to include six speakers, with rear speakers repositioned in the headliner to improve sound quality while providing more usable storage space.

The 1996 Passport offers a choice of three trim levels: DX, LX, and EX. Though the two-wheel-drive DX is the base model, a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system — which can be engaged and disengaged while the vehicle is moving — is now available in the LX and EX models. This enhancement allows for easier driving on all road surfaces and weather conditions.

Passport pricing starts at $17,990 for the DX model; four-wheel-drive models start at $24,350.

A 3.2-liter, 24-valve, 190-horsepower V-6 powers both the LX and EX models, representing a 15-horsepower increase from 1995 models. The DX model is powered by a 2.6-liter, 120-hp, four-cylinder engine.

Additionally, four-wheel anti-lock brakes are now standard on four-wheel-drive EX models, and a rear-wheel anti-lock braking system is standard on all other Passport models. All Passports feature an improved front suspension and live-axle rear suspension and front stabilizer bar, plus redesigned 16-inch wheels and tires.

Standard features on the LX two-wheel-drive models include power window and door locks, cruise control, AM/FM stereo cassette, an adjustable steering column, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback. Four-wheel-drive LX models include air conditioning.

For the driver who wants it all, the cream-of-crop EX model is equipped with chrome bumpers, body-colored heated dual power mirrors, rear window wiper-washer, removable tilt-up moonroof and leather-wrapped steering wheel. A cargo net secures packages; rear privacy glass obscures them.

Take your choice. While the DX model is only available with a five-speed manual transmission, both LX and EX models boast a four-speed automatic transmission with lockup torque converter. The transmission has a “power” mode switch for quicker acceleration and a “winter” mode switch that helps prevent wheel spin for slippery surfaces starts.

For looks and durability, the Passport has a rugged body-on-frame construction, and a front engine, rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. A fuel-tank skid plate is standard on all models. LX and EX models have a front skid plate under the radiator area; all four-wheel-drive models have an additional skid plate under the central four-wheel-drive transfer case.