2020 Ford Explorer vs 2019 Honda Passport
Overview | |
MSRP$32,765 | MSRP$31,990 |
Listings3137 | Listings301 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
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2020 Ford Explorer Reviews SummaryFor nearly 30 years, the Ford Explorer has settled into the American lexicon like Cheerios. We've gobbled up millions of them, from the rock-crawling Eddie Bauers of the 1990s to the brand-new ST that can take down sports cars. The 2020 Explorer brings an all-new chassis, cranks up the technology, and introduces hybrid and high-performance powertrains in a space the size of a small living room. The Explorer's also getting very expensive while other automakers catch on to Ford's winning formula—for a lot less money. | |
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. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.3L 300 hp I4 | Engine3.5L 280 hp V6 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower | Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City21 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway25 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.3L 300 hp I4 | Engine Name3.5L 280 hp V6 |
Torque | Torque262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm |
Horsepower | Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City21 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway25 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space18.2 cu ft | Cargo Space41.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight4345 lbs | Curb Weight3959 lbs |
Height69.9 in | Height71.6 in |
Length198.8 in | Length190.5 in |
Width89.3 in | Width78.6 in |
Wheelbase119.1 in | Wheelbase111.0 in |
Maximum Payload1425 lbs | Maximum Payload1332 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity5300 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $32,765 | $31,990 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.2 out of 10Read full review | 7.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | For nearly 30 years, the Ford Explorer has settled into the American lexicon like Cheerios. We've gobbled up millions of them, from the rock-crawling Eddie Bauers of the 1990s to the brand-new ST that can take down sports cars. The 2020 Explorer brings an all-new chassis, cranks up the technology, and introduces hybrid and high-performance powertrains in a space the size of a small living room. The Explorer's also getting very expensive while other automakers catch on to Ford's winning formula—for a lot less money. | 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. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.3L 300 hp I4 | 3.5L 280 hp V6 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | |
MPG City | 21 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 25 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.3L 300 hp I4 | 3.5L 280 hp V6 |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 21 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 25 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 18.2 cu ft | 41.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4345 lbs | 3959 lbs |
Height | 69.9 in | 71.6 in |
Length | 198.8 in | 190.5 in |
Width | 89.3 in | 78.6 in |
Wheelbase | 119.1 in | 111.0 in |
Maximum Payload | 1425 lbs | 1332 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 5300 lbs | 3500 lbs |
The 2020 Ford Explorer is rated 5 out of 10 by CarGurus experts. The exterior of the Explorer is praised for its handsome design, refined upscale appearance, and athletic stance. However, the interior is criticized for its use of low-grade materials, especially considering its high price point.
On the other hand, the 2019 Honda Passport is rated 7 out of 10. Its boxier and broad-shouldered design sets it apart from the Pilot, offering a practical and attractive style. The interior is noted for its spaciousness and practicality, although some elements are criticized for feeling dated.
CarGurus experts rate both the 2020 Ford Explorer and the 2019 Honda Passport 8 out of 10 for performance.
The 2020 Ford Explorer offers impressive performance with its available engines and rear-wheel-drive chassis. The ST trim, in particular, stands out with its powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer also offers a 2.3-liter turbo inline four and a gas-electric hybrid option.
The 2019 Honda Passport is equipped with a large, naturally aspirated V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offers strong acceleration and towing capabilities, although its soft suspension and light steering may not appeal to those seeking a sportier driving experience.
CarGurus experts rate both the 2020 Ford Explorer and the 2019 Honda Passport 9 out of 10 for form and function.
The 2020 Ford Explorer impresses with its spacious interior, offering ample room for passengers and cargo. The Explorer's updated design provides a more comfortable and airy feel, although some visibility and ergonomic issues are noted.
The 2019 Honda Passport offers generous storage space and a practical interior layout. The tall windows and high seating position contribute to an open and airy feel, while the vehicle's straightforward design and logical placement of controls enhance its functionality.
Both the 2020 Ford Explorer and the 2019 Honda Passport receive a rating of 7 out of 10 for technology from CarGurus experts.
The 2020 Ford Explorer comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi as standard. Higher trims offer a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, although some limitations in the system's functionality are noted.
The 2019 Honda Passport features an 8-inch high-res touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi on higher trims. The vehicle also includes Honda Sensing driver assists as standard, although some advanced connected services are restricted to the top trims.
The 2020 Ford Explorer receives a safety rating of 8 out of 10 from CarGurus experts, while the 2019 Honda Passport is rated 7 out of 10.
The 2020 Ford Explorer comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, offering advanced safety features such as forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. However, some limitations in the semi-automated driving system are noted.
The 2019 Honda Passport includes Honda Sensing driver assists as standard, along with blind-spot monitoring on higher trims. While the vehicle demonstrates strong performance in crash tests, some areas for improvement are identified, particularly in the availability of advanced safety features across trims.
CarGurus highlights
The 2019 Honda Passport scores slightly higher than the 2020 Ford Explorer. Therefore, the 2019 Honda Passport is recommended for consumers seeking a well-rounded SUV with a practical and attractive design, strong performance, and a balance of features at a competitive price point.
Choose the 2020 Ford Explorer if:
- You prioritize a refined and athletic exterior design.
- You seek powerful engine options and advanced performance features.
- You value a spacious interior with ample cargo capacity.
Choose the 2019 Honda Passport if:
- You prioritize practicality and spaciousness in both the interior and cargo area.
- You are looking for a well-rounded SUV with strong performance and a balance of features.
- You seek a competitive price point with a focus on value and functionality.
CarGurus highlights
The 2019 Honda Passport scores slightly higher than the 2020 Ford Explorer. Therefore, the 2019 Honda Passport is recommended for consumers seeking a well-rounded SUV with a practical and attractive design, strong performance, and a balance of features at a competitive price point.
Choose the 2020 Ford Explorer if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a refined and athletic exterior design.
- You seek powerful engine options and advanced performance features.
- You value a spacious interior with ample cargo capacity.
Choose the 2019 Honda Passport if:
Shop Now- You prioritize practicality and spaciousness in both the interior and cargo area.
- You are looking for a well-rounded SUV with strong performance and a balance of features.
- You seek a competitive price point with a focus on value and functionality.
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.