2020 Honda Passport vs 2019 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus was essentially an MKX with a refreshed exterior, but that was not a disappointment. The MKX, redesigned in 2016, was already a stylish and well-defined SUV, standing out against its boxy competitors. The Nautilus featured a sleek roofline, an arching rear shoulder line, and a slim tailgate, giving it a toned appearance. The Black Label trim added elegance with 22-inch wheels and a wide, thin taillight. The new grille and bi-LED headlights were significant updates, while the Nautilus badges on the front fenders were subtle indicators of its new name. Inside, the Black Label trim offered a luxurious experience with soft leather from a Scottish tannery, attractive matte wood, and padded materials. The brown-and-black steering wheel, white-stitched leather, and metal trim on the doors added to its premium feel.

The 2020 Honda Passport followed Honda's familiar design language, which resonated well with buyers. The exterior of the Passport appeared as a rugged and athletic version of the Honda Pilot, with elements borrowed from the CR-V. It came in four trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The Elite trim, in particular, was well-equipped with features like a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights. The Passport had more ground clearance than the Pilot, making it more capable off-road. Inside, the Passport's cabin was a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, with perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Elite trim. The design emphasized spaciousness, and the layout was practical, appealing to Honda's loyal customer base.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus introduced a new turbocharged 4-cylinder base engine, replacing the previous 3.7-liter V6. This 2.0-liter turbo four produced 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. However, the recommended engine was the optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, the Nautilus accelerated smoothly with a muted growl. The transmission performed well, with responsive paddle shifters and rev-matching downshifts. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was optional. The steering was light yet connected, and the adaptive dampers stiffened in Sport mode. Despite its size, the Nautilus handled road imperfections well, and the double-paned window glass provided a quiet ride. Fuel economy was average, with an EPA rating of 19-21 mpg city, 25-27 highway, and 21-23 combined.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all models, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing sufficient power for various driving situations. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive models achieved slightly lower figures. The Passport performed well in diverse conditions, from the flats of Fresno to the peaks of Yosemite, maintaining smooth performance even at high elevations. The Elite trim came with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, enhancing stability on winding roads. The Passport also offered Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, making it more capable off-road. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with the available towing package, surpassing rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized simplicity with its all-digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster, central infotainment screen, and easily accessible buttons and switches. The vertical PRNDS gear selector was the only confusing element. The interior was spacious, with reclining rear seats that folded forward at the touch of a button, providing 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With the seats up, it offered 37.2 cubic feet. The power tailgate with foot-operated gesture control was reliable, and visibility was adequate, aided by a rear backup camera with a built-in washer. The Nautilus also featured large consoles and handy USB ports.

The 2020 Honda Passport was all about practicality. Its size was right-sized, offering good visibility and spacious seats for four adults. The Passport did not offer a third row, but it had height-adjustable seatbelts and three full LATCH connections in the second row. The seats were comfortable, similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, with ample knee and legroom. The cabin featured cloth upholstery as standard, with perforated leather available. Tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades were notable amenities. The Passport excelled in cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. A power liftgate was standard, and the heating and cooling functions were effective. The Passport also had excellent small-item storage, with a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus shared its Sync 3 infotainment system with Ford, featuring a user-friendly interface with fast response times. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Waze integration. Amazon Alexa commands were supported, and more apps could be downloaded. The system also offered remote functions like unlocking and maintenance scheduling. The digital instrument cluster was customizable, though not as much as some competitors. The 19-speaker Revel Ultima stereo and configurable LED mood lighting added to the premium feel. The optional front seats with 11 air cushions and 22-way adjustments provided exceptional comfort. The Driver Assistance package included semi-automated driving functions for low- and high-speed traffic.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base Sport model came with a 5.0-inch display, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system. The larger screen supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, a seven-speaker audio system, push-button start, and keyless entry. Higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Passport's dashboard design was borrowed from the Pilot, appearing slightly outdated but functional.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the mechanically identical 2018 MKX received 5 stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert with automatic braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning good scores from IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The standard Honda Sensing suite included collision mitigation braking, forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.