2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2019 Honda Passport
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2019 Honda Passport is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2020 Mazda CX-5 scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is the recommended choice for its superior safety features, upscale interior, and engaging driving experience.
Choose the 2020 Mazda CX-5 if:
- You seek a more upscale and luxurious interior.
- You prioritize advanced safety features and top safety ratings.
- You enjoy a more engaging and dynamic driving experience.
Choose the 2019 Honda Passport if:
- You need a spacious interior with ample cargo capacity.
- You prefer a powerful V6 engine with strong towing capabilities.
- You value straightforward and easy-to-use controls and displays.
Overview | |
MSRP$31,990 | MSRP$25,190 |
Average price$23,793 | Average price$21,310 |
Listings257 | Listings610 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| |
2019 Honda Passport Reviews SummaryWith four SUVs currently in its lineup, it may be hard to imagine, but there was a time when Honda had no idea how to build one. In 1993, Isuzu did the hard work, offering its body-on-frame Rodeo, which Honda rebadged as the Passport until 2002. Today's modern Passport is a Honda Pilot without a third-row seat, and like the Pilot (and the Ridgeline pickup), it's based on the Odyssey minivan chassis. And despite being tailored to families and outdoorsy types, the Passport is one of the most simplistic, unadorned new SUVs on sale. Offering basic transportation with gobs of space, all-wheel drive, and high ground clearance, the Passport hasn’t altered its original formula—and that's a good thing. | |
2020 Mazda CX-5 Reviews SummaryAccording to a Harvard Business Review marketing study, there is such a thing as too much choice. And when the marketplace presents consumers with too much choice, there is a chance they won’t buy anything at all. For the 2020 model year, there are more than 40 small or compact SUVs available, half of them sold by luxury brands. Small and scrappy Mazda offers three of them: the CX-3, the CX-30, and the CX-5. However, in a marketplace awash in Chevys, Fords, Hondas, and Toyotas, Mazda has trouble standing apart from the established crowd. What’s the solution? Move upscale into “premium” territory. Premium is where Buick, Fiat, GMC, Jeep, Mini, and Volkswagen play to varying levels of success. Combining the value inherent in a mainstream brand with the design, materials, and technology common to luxury brands, these premium vehicles attempt to provide more than mainstream for less than luxury. At the same time, less is more. Because the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has but four similarly sized competitors in the premium class, that makes it easier for a consumer to choose, and more likely that a consumer will buy. The trick is convincing people that Mazda is a premium brand, and the automaker is taking a pragmatic approach to this emotionally-charged solution. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 280 hp V6 | Engine2.5L 187 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway25 | MPG Highway31 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 280 hp V6 | Engine Name2.5L 187 hp I4 |
Torque262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway25 | MPG Highway31 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space41.2 cu ft | Cargo Space30.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3959 lbs | Curb Weight3541 lbs |
Height71.6 in | Height66.2 in |
Length190.5 in | Length179.1 in |
Width78.6 in | Width83.3 in |
Wheelbase111.0 in | Wheelbase106.2 in |
Maximum Payload1332 lbs | Maximum Payload1034 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2000 lbs |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2019 Honda Passport is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2020 Mazda CX-5 scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is the recommended choice for its superior safety features, upscale interior, and engaging driving experience.
Choose the 2020 Mazda CX-5 if:
Shop Now- You seek a more upscale and luxurious interior.
- You prioritize advanced safety features and top safety ratings.
- You enjoy a more engaging and dynamic driving experience.
Choose the 2019 Honda Passport if:
Shop Now- You need a spacious interior with ample cargo capacity.
- You prefer a powerful V6 engine with strong towing capabilities.
- You value straightforward and easy-to-use controls and displays.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $31,990 | $25,190 |
Average price | $23,793 | $21,310 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.6 | 4.8 |
Expert reviews | 7.5 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
Summary | With four SUVs currently in its lineup, it may be hard to imagine, but there was a time when Honda had no idea how to build one. In 1993, Isuzu did the hard work, offering its body-on-frame Rodeo, which Honda rebadged as the Passport until 2002. Today's modern Passport is a Honda Pilot without a third-row seat, and like the Pilot (and the Ridgeline pickup), it's based on the Odyssey minivan chassis. And despite being tailored to families and outdoorsy types, the Passport is one of the most simplistic, unadorned new SUVs on sale. Offering basic transportation with gobs of space, all-wheel drive, and high ground clearance, the Passport hasn’t altered its original formula—and that's a good thing. | According to a Harvard Business Review marketing study, there is such a thing as too much choice. And when the marketplace presents consumers with too much choice, there is a chance they won’t buy anything at all. For the 2020 model year, there are more than 40 small or compact SUVs available, half of them sold by luxury brands. Small and scrappy Mazda offers three of them: the CX-3, the CX-30, and the CX-5. However, in a marketplace awash in Chevys, Fords, Hondas, and Toyotas, Mazda has trouble standing apart from the established crowd. What’s the solution? Move upscale into “premium” territory. Premium is where Buick, Fiat, GMC, Jeep, Mini, and Volkswagen play to varying levels of success. Combining the value inherent in a mainstream brand with the design, materials, and technology common to luxury brands, these premium vehicles attempt to provide more than mainstream for less than luxury. At the same time, less is more. Because the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has but four similarly sized competitors in the premium class, that makes it easier for a consumer to choose, and more likely that a consumer will buy. The trick is convincing people that Mazda is a premium brand, and the automaker is taking a pragmatic approach to this emotionally-charged solution. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 280 hp V6 | 2.5L 187 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 25 | 31 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 280 hp V6 | 2.5L 187 hp I4 |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 25 | 31 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 41.2 cu ft | 30.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3959 lbs | 3541 lbs |
Height | 71.6 in | 66.2 in |
Length | 190.5 in | 179.1 in |
Width | 78.6 in | 83.3 in |
Wheelbase | 111.0 in | 106.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1332 lbs | 1034 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 2000 lbs |
The 2019 Honda Passport was essentially 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. The Passport had a boxier and more broad-shouldered look compared to the Pilot’s minivan-like appearance. Standard features included an enlarged blacked-out grille, restyled front bumper, gloss-black mirrors and window trim, and black 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Passport resembled the Pilot with an upright dash, digital instrument panel, and a glossy black touchscreen. The fit and finish were above average, with soft and supportive leather seats. However, some parts of the interior felt dated, and the rear door panels were less padded compared to the front.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, executed the concept of premium better than its competitors. It featured more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and modifications to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. The turbocharged engine saw an increase in torque output, and AWD versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. The CX-5’s design, both exterior and interior, was captivating and upscale. The Signature trim included premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, giving it a luxurious feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the black cabin, reducing the level of contrast.
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 AWD optional on all but the Elite trim, where it was standard. The Passport excelled in power, offering safe and predictable passing power with no lag. However, the 9-speed transmission had an uncomfortable delay when manually downshifting from fifth to fourth gear. The Passport had a soft suspension and overly light steering, making it less enthusiastic about 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 Mazda CX-5 offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The turbocharged engine provided a healthy amount of power, but the CX-5 had excessive body motions when driven aggressively. The G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and upgraded brakes enhanced the driving experience, but the SUV’s high center of gravity caused rocking and rolling through curves. The turbocharged engine had a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg, while the naturally aspirated engine with AWD had 26 mpg combined.
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. It featured a three-zone climate control system, heated outboard rear seats, additional USB ports, a household outlet, and manual window shades. The instrument panel was easy to read, and the climate controls and other buttons were logically placed. However, the infotainment screen and its surrounding polished black trim smudged easily, and the push-button, pull-tab gear selector required an adjustment period.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 had a more upscale cabin but was less spacious than its competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but rear passengers might find legroom lacking. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The Touring trim added dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, while the Grand Touring trim included a power height-adjustable front passenger seat. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more luxurious touches. However, the air conditioning took a long time to cool the cabin on hot days.
The 2019 Honda Passport’s EX-L trim featured an 8-inch high-res touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Garmin navigation system was fast and accurate, with superb live traffic data and auto-rerouting. Honda Sensing, which included forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, was standard on all models. However, the best tech features were restricted to the top trims, and the infotainment system lacked shortcut buttons for the stereo, navigation, and other functions.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the Sport trim, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added in the Touring trim. The Grand Touring trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system. The Signature trim added a navigation system, a surround-view camera system, and a SiriusXM data subscription. The system could be controlled via the touchscreen, center console controls, steering wheel controls, or voice-recognition technology, but none of these methods were ideal. The voice-recognition technology was particularly frustrating, often failing to interpret commands or provide feedback.
The 2019 Honda Passport featured 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 a Top Safety Pick rating to the mechanically identical 2018 Pilot, which scored an Acceptable rating for the passenger-side frontal crash test.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS under the i-Activsense banner, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with the highest marks in nearly all individual testing parameters.
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