2019 Honda CR-V vs 2019 Honda Passport

The 2019 Honda CR-V, available in four trim levels—LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring—offered flexibility for buyers seeking either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Its price range started at $24,350 plus $1,045 in destination charges, reaching up to $34,150 plus destination. Buyers could spruce up their CR-V with a variety of accessories, some more practical than others. The base LX trim came with standard 17-inch aluminum wheels, ensuring it did not look overly basic. Upgrading to higher trims provided body-color trim, larger 18-inch wheels, and rear privacy glass.

In terms of design, the CR-V was generally appealing, particularly from the rear, where it projected an upscale vibe. However, its front-end styling, described as resembling a "Robot Horseshoe Crab," left something to be desired. The interior of the CR-V exuded quality, courtesy of well-chosen materials and solid construction. The layout of controls was intuitive, and the 2-tone tan-over-black interior treatment of the test vehicle added a touch of class. Despite the presence of hard plastics, they neither looked nor felt cheap, which significantly enhanced the overall impression.

Conversely, the 2019 Honda Passport bore a distinct, rugged appearance. Though it shared a 6-inch longer frame with the Honda Pilot, the two models had an identical wheelbase. The Passport's height was about an inch and a half taller, and it boasted a nearly 1-inch hiking in ride height compared to the Pilot. Featuring a blacked-out grille, restyled front bumper with new fog-lamp cutouts, gloss-black mirrors, window trim, and 20-inch black wheels as standard, the Passport looked bolder and more athletic. The design eliminated the inner taillights and extended the roof spoiler, giving it a robust, truck-like aesthetic.

Inside, the Passport mirrored the Pilot, with an upright dash, digital instrument panel, glossy black touchscreen, and a slew of switches. While fit and finish were above average, certain elements felt dated, like the foot parking brake and large cutouts for the mirror switches. Despite these nods to older designs, the Passport maintained high quality and a practical, attractive style. The heated leather seats with flip-down armrests for driver and front passenger offered a tall seating position, providing a commanding view of the road.

The 2019 Honda CR-V came with two engine options. The base LX trim featured a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that powered either FWD or AWD. Upgrading to the EX, EX-L, or Touring trims replaced this engine with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, also paired with a CVT and available with FWD or AWD. This smaller but potent engine generated 190 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 179 lb-ft of torque spread between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. Despite similar power figures, the turbocharged engine offered better responsiveness and acceleration, as well as superior fuel economy. However, it faced issues in very cold weather, potentially leading to fuel mixing with engine oil. Additionally, there were reports of battery problems, although Honda was investigating these issues.

The CR-V's driving dynamics were solid. The suspension setup—MacPherson strut front and multi-link double wishbone rear—combined with 235/60 tires on 18-inch wheels provided a composed ride and confident handling. The electric steering system offered a light touch at low speeds, gaining heft at higher speeds, enhancing driver confidence. Braking was another strong point, with excellent pedal feel and predictable performance, even during demanding drives.

In comparison, the 2019 Honda Passport featured a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain was connected to FWD by default, with AWD optional on most trims but standard on the Elite. The Passport's V6 delivered ample power and a pleasing exhaust note, ensuring robust performance in a variety of situations. Sport mode and steering-wheel-mounted paddles enhanced driving engagement, though the 9-speed transmission occasionally exhibited an uncomfortable delay during manual downshifting.

Despite its potent engine, the Passport's overall driving dynamics were tuned more for comfort than sportiness. The steering was light, and the suspension favored a softer ride, though mechanical torque vectoring helped sharpen handling. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds with AWD (3,500 pounds without), a strong figure in its segment. However, the powerful V6 and towing capabilities negatively impacted fuel economy, with AWD models delivering an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined—figures confirmed by real-world testing.

The 2019 Honda CR-V catered well to families, though it lacked a height-adjustable front passenger seat, a notable omission that could affect comfort for shorter passengers. The driver, on the other hand, enjoyed a 12-way power adjustable seat in all trims except the LX. Heated front seats and an optional heated steering wheel further enhanced comfort. Rear passengers benefited from air vents and USB ports, reducing complaints during trips. Space was generous, easily accommodating taller adults and fitting three children across the back seat.

Storage was another highlight for the CR-V. The glove box and center console bin were sizable, and cargo space was nearly on par with the Passport. The CR-V offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 75.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This flexibility allowed the CR-V to handle various cargo needs effectively.

The 2019 Honda Passport matched the CR-V's practicality and added a bit more. With 41.2 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and 77.9 cubic feet with them folded, the Passport offered a slight edge in cargo space. The spare-tire area also included an additional storage bin, enhancing utility. The cabin felt airy thanks to tall windows and a high seating position. Rear passengers enjoyed three-zone climate control, heated outboard seats on the Elite trim, extra USB ports, a household outlet, and manual window shades, elevating comfort levels.

The Passport's user-friendly design extended to its instrument panel, which, despite a quirky appearance, was easy to read and offered versatile display options. Controls for climate, driving modes, lane-keep assist, and heated seats were logically arranged. A deep center cubby and a flip-down sunglasses case that doubled as a convex mirror added convenience. However, the infotainment screen and its surrounding polished black trim were prone to smudges, and the lack of physical shortcut buttons hindered quick access to functions.

Starting with the EX trim, the 2019 Honda CR-V was packed with infotainment features. A 7-inch touchscreen offered Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text messaging capability, and HondaLink connected services. Navigation was either optional or standard depending on the trim, and a premium sound system was standard on the Touring trim. However, the infotainment system's lack of a tuning knob and limited screen size detracted from its usability. Voice activation often struggled with accuracy, causing distractions, and occasional software glitches further marred the experience.

The 2019 Honda Passport also offered a robust suite of technology, especially at higher trims. The EX-L trim added an 8-inch, high-resolution touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Garmin navigation system was particularly praised for its speed, ease of use, and accurate live traffic data with auto-rerouting. Honda Sensing came standard across all trims, including forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. However, advanced features like stolen-vehicle tracking and remote unlocking via smartphone were reserved for the top trims, limiting access to the best tech for buyers of lower trims.

Safety was a priority for Honda. The 2019 Honda CR-V, equipped with Honda Sensing on all trims except the LX, offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. EX trims and higher also included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although its headlights received an Acceptable rating rather than a Good one, preventing it from achieving a Top Safety Pick Plus accolade.

The 2019 Honda Passport, equipped with similar Honda Sensing technology and blind-spot monitoring on EX-L and higher trims, had not been rated overall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to unverified rollover resistance. It rated 4 out of 5 stars for front crash tests and 5 stars in all side-impact tests. The IIHS had not tested the Passport but awarded the mechanically identical Honda Pilot a Top Safety Pick rating. Notably, the Pilot received an Acceptable rating for the passenger-side frontal crash test, reflecting the NHTSA's 4-star rating for the Passport's front passenger.