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Before the nation’s banking lobby got to him, a famous person once advised: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.”

He must have been referring to the 1996 Honda Passport sport-utility vehicle, one of the best SUVs on the market; probably second only to the Chevrolet Blazer in car-like ride and handling, roominess, comfort and plow-through-the-snow, four-wheel-drive capability.

Second to Blazer because it has some nitpicking faults, such as a difficult-to-reach cupholder located behind the driver and inside the console under a flip lid. And when theflip lid flips, as it often does, your 12-ounce pop can becomes 10 ounces real quick.

Also, the ducts for hot/cold air are low in the dash, where they ensure warm feet but a chilly noggin after long travel; large outside rearview mirrors offer a panoramic view of those trailing or approaching but are manual, not power; and only rear-wheel anti-lock brakes are offered except on the more expensive EX version.

Why? Because Honda borrowed Passport from Isuzu. Passport is an Isuzu Rodeo with a Honda logo on it. Rodeo is a fine machine, but in borrowing it, Honda has to settle for what Isuzu gives it–and Rodeo and Passport need some fine-tuning before they can look at Blazer in their rearview mirrors.

Passport is a Rodeo because Honda needed instant access to the booming SUV market. In return, Isuzu got a version of the Honda Odyssey mini-van to market as an Oasis.

Isuzu gave Honda some needed changes for Passport in 1995 1/2 (notably dual air bags). And now, for 1996, there are more improvements: a peppier 190-horsepower, V-6, which represents a 15-h.p. boost from what had been offered; shift-on-the-fly 4WD so you don’t have to stop to yank the transfer case lever; and larger, more sure-footed 16-inch tires on all models, not just the top-of-the-line EX.

In the 1998 model year, Passport will be redone again–mostly on the inside–to reflect what Honda wants, not just what Isuzu is willing to give. It would be wise for Isuzu to meet any Honda demands because Honda has been considering building a sport-utility off the Honda CRV sold in Japan. The drawback: CRV is smaller than Passport.

We tested the ’96 Passport LX with 4WD. Slip behind the wheel, and you realize that Honda made a wise move in teaming up with Izusu, though, as we said, Passport would be even better with more Honda touches.

Passport offers car-like ride and handling and road manners every bit as good as, if not better than, Blazer’s. Road harshness is minimal, as is body lean or sway in sharp corners. Ride is soft without being mushy. The 16-inch tires hug the pavement.

With Passport you sit high to see what’s happening. When the weather gets bad or you choose to go off-road, Passport features part-time four-wheel-drive to provide optimum traction–and shift-on-the-fly capability.

The 3.2-liter V-6 is very smooth. With 190-h.p., Passport is lively and doesn’t sputter when on an incline or when passing. The government fuel-economy ratings put Passport at 15 m.p.g. city/18 m.p.g. highway. In your dreams! The V-6 is powerful enough to pass anything–except a fuel pump.

Other pluses find the floor-mounted transfer case lever to engage 4WD positioned out of the way so it doesn’t rob room; step in/out height that doesn’t require a running board; a spare tire that moves away from the tailgate with only a press of a lever to ease loading/unloading of the spacious cargo hold; and rear seat backs that fold and bottoms that tip over out of the way so you can increase cargo capacity more.

Passport’s standard equipment includes four-wheel power disc brakes, childproof rear door locks, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with cassette/clock, power windows/door locks, cruise control, electric rear-window defroster, remote tailgate release, tinted glas s and spare tire carrier.

Base price is $25,270.The only added charge on this fully equipped vehicle is freight at $380. About the only option you might want to add is a sunroof, but, like four-wheel ABS, it’s available only on the EX–and is manual.

Honda expects to sell 30,000 to 35,000 Passports in 1996. It probably could double or triple that if Isuzu could supply more and Honda would let people in on the secret–that Passport exists.

1996 ACURA SLX

Before the nation’s banking lobby got to him . . .

Oops. Already said that.

Just as Isuzu lent Honda the Rodeo to call the Passport, it also provided the Trooper to Honda’s luxury Acura division to be rebadged the Acura SLX.

Confused?

When word began circulating that makers of compact SUVs were going to bring out luxury versions, the concern was that the luxury models would be no more than the compacts with new grilles and more frills. That concern was justified.

Though the Isuzu Rodeo is a fine machine, the Trooper is a frump. It is a tad narrow and boxy. Rather than a popup rear hatchlid for access in back, it features two swing-open doors, a large one and a small one, which means you can haul 2x4s or ladders and leave one door closed, whereas with a hatchlid you have to leave the entire lid partially open to carry that cargo.

The rear seats fold against the front seatbacks to allow more room for cargo, but when folded, the seat hinges are exposed, so you have to load that cargo with extra care.

Besides, how many 2x4s do you carry in a $38,000machine?

The SLX is powered by the same 3.2-liter, 190-h.p., V-6 as the Passport, but because the SLX is a bit bigger and heavier, its V-6 is tamer. Mileage is the same–15 m.p.g. city/18 highway.

A unique SLX feature is the power outside rearview mirror control. When entering a car wash or pulling up to your mailbox, push a button in the console and the mirrors fold along the body, out of danger. Nice touch.

The ’96 SLX is available at $38,000 with the premium package, $33,900 without. Add $410 in freight to both. The premium package adds power moonroof, heated seats, eight-way driver and four-way passenger power seats, woodgrain trim on the doors and dash, fog lamps, five-spoke alloy wheels and the folding mirrors.

Standard in both are dual air bags, power brakes with four-wheel ABS, power steering/mirrors/door locks, rear window washer/wiper/defroster, air conditioning, cruise control, fold-down armrests, dual cupholders, inside fuel door release, 16-inch all-season tires, cornering lights activated by the turn signals and tinted glass.

Buyers also get an Acura Total Luxury Care coverage, from roadside assistance with emergency towing to vacation trip routing

>> 1996 Honda Passport LX 4WD Wheelbase: 108.5 inches Length: 176.5 inches Engine: 3.2-liter, 190-h.p., 24-valve, V-6 Transmission: 4-speed automatic EPA mileage: 15-m.p.g. city/18-m.p.g. highway Base price: $25,500 Price as tested: $26,225. Add $500 for aluminum alloy wheels and $225 for roof rack. Freight runs $395. Pluses: The 3.2-liter, V-6 adds 15 h.p. for 1996. Four-wheel-drive now shift-on-the-fly variety. Larger 16-inch tires now standard. Dual air bags and rear-wheel ABS standard. Wide, roomy and comfortable, with car-like ride and handling. 4WD Snow Belt insurance. Minuses: The 3.2-liter, V-6 has a case of (gas) consumption. Four-wheel ABS only on the more expensive EX version. Cupholder behind driver. Air ducts aim low, and over long distance you may have warm feet, head. Honda gets Passport from Isuzu–a version of the Rodeo–and has to live with whatever features Isuzu gives it. >>