2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2020 Honda CR-V, a fifth-generation compact crossover, had a design that was both familiar and fun. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier models were upgrades of a commodity car.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, with two rows of seats instead of three. The styling similarities between the two were evident both inside and out, with the Passport featuring the same dash layout and the awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. The trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features and luxury, such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 30 miles per gallon combined and AWD models managing 29 mpg. The CR-V's car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Passport, on the other hand, came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered strong acceleration and a well-managed power delivery, with standard FWD and optional AWD. The AWD model featured Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, and a ground clearance of 8.1 inches. The Passport's towing capacity was impressive, with FWD models capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds and AWD models up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both driver and passengers. The cargo compartment offered 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, and a smart two-position load floor added versatility. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, and the door pockets were large, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided even more cargo space, with 100.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage added convenience. The upright seating position offered great visibility, and the center console included a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats were spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom, and they could both recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2020 Honda CR-V showed its age in terms of infotainment. The base LX trim came with a 5-inch screen, while higher trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, both of which were small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it difficult to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across all trims, paired with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a step up, the system still had dated graphics and a confusing menu layout. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, but at least it was included, unlike some other controls.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, although lower trims had marginal headlight ratings.

The 2021 Honda Passport also came well-equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and top scores from IIHS, with some acceptable ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.