2019 Honda Passport vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2019 Honda Passport was a stubbier version of the Pilot, sharing the same wheelbase, doors, windshield, and hood. It was about an inch and a half taller with a nearly 1-inch lift in ride height, giving it a boxier and more broad-shouldered look. Standard features included a blacked-out grille, restyled front bumper, gloss-black mirrors, window trim, and black 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Passport resembled the Pilot with an upright dash, digital instrument panel, and glossy black touchscreen. The fit and finish were above average, with soft and supportive leather seats. However, some interior elements felt dated, like the large cutouts for mirror switches and a foot parking brake that blocked the dead pedal.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade's styling was a standout, with a bold grille and thin headlights that could easily be mistaken for a luxury brand. The upper headlight assembly was complemented by larger fog lights, creating a character line of LEDs. Chrome accents and unique character lines added to its visual appeal. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded elegance and simplicity, featuring a fully digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and a center console bristling with controls. The Limited trim offered personalized ambient lighting, leather upholstery with unique stitching, and a host of premium features like heated and cooled seats, a dual sunroof, and a hands-free smart power liftgate.

The 2019 Honda Passport came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional on all but the Elite trim, where it was standard. The engine provided strong acceleration and a satisfying sound, especially in Sport mode. However, the 9-speed transmission had a notable delay when manually downshifting from fifth to fourth gear. The Passport's steering was light, and its suspension was soft, making it less suited for sporty driving. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with AWD and had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with a push-button shifter. The Palisade offered multiple drive modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, which adjusted based on driving habits. The V6 engine provided solid acceleration, and the transmission managed power well. In Sport mode, the Palisade's handling was impressive for its size, with the Limited trim's self-leveling rear suspension enhancing driving dynamics. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19/24/21. During testing, the observed fuel economy was 20.3 mpg.

The 2019 Honda Passport offered ample space, with 41.2 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and 77.9 cubic feet with them folded. An additional storage bin under the cargo floor added to its practicality. The cabin was airy, thanks to tall windows and a high seating position. Standard features included three-zone climate control, heated outboard rear seats, additional USB ports, and manual window shades. The instrument panel was easy to read, and controls were logically placed. However, the infotainment screen and its surrounding trim smudged easily, and the push-button gear selector required an adjustment period.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility, with 45.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Limited trim featured power-folding third-row seats, though they operated slowly. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips. Second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and convenience, with multiple cup holders and seatback pockets. The Palisade's cabin was well-designed, though the Honda Pilot offered better use of space with a second-row center console.

The 2019 Honda Passport's EX-L trim and above featured an 8-inch high-res touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Garmin navigation system was fast and accurate, with live traffic data available on the Touring trim. Honda Sensing, which included forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, was standard on all models. However, advanced features like stolen-vehicle tracking and remote unlocking were reserved for the top trims.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package, which included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and an in-car intercom system. The Limited trim featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a surround-view monitor, and a head-up display. Hyundai's infotainment system was user-friendly, with tactile buttons and dials for easy navigation.

The 2019 Honda Passport included Honda Sensing driver assists and blind-spot monitoring on EX-L and above trims. The NHTSA had not rated the Passport overall but gave it 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 2018 Pilot a Top Safety Pick rating, though it scored only Acceptable for the passenger-side frontal crash test.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, its highest rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and parking sensors. The Palisade's digital instrument panel displayed parking sensor warnings and featured a unique blind-spot camera system that projected live images on the instrument panel when the turn signal was activated.