2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Audi Q3

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design language and reliable components. Its exterior, reminiscent of a scaled-down Pilot or an enhanced CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Passport's higher ground clearance compared to the Pilot, along with its scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, contributed to its off-road-ready appearance.

Inside, the Passport's cabin was more sophisticated than rugged, featuring a mix of durable and soft-touch materials. The Elite trim boasted perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof. The interior design emphasized spaciousness, with a button-heavy shifting mechanism that saved space. Lower trims offered various packages to enhance features, while Honda Sensing safety technology and navigation were available on the Touring grade for an extra fee.

The 2021 Audi Q3, on the other hand, showcased a modern, postmodern automotive styling with its massive corporate grille and chunky design. The cabin echoed this mechanical aesthetic, with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen. While the Q3's interior was once a standout, newer Volkswagen interiors had caught up, making the Q3 feel less special but still refined. The Q3 came in Premium and Premium Plus trims, with features like leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Premium Plus trim added remote start, wireless device charging, and a hands-free power liftgate, with additional options available through packages.

The 2020 Honda Passport was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the engine provided sufficient power for various driving situations, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, and AWD models slightly lower. The Passport excelled in performance, handling elevation changes and highway passing smoothly. The Elite trim's torque-vectoring AWD system enhanced its stability, especially on winding roads and off-road trails. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD. The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Q3's performance was lively, with solid power for passing and engaging drive modes like Sport and Off-Road. The base engine had some turbo lag, but the Q3's nimble handling and comfortable ride made it enjoyable to drive. Audi's Drive Select system allowed for customization of driving dynamics, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical midsize SUV, offering ample space and comfort for four adults. Its size provided good visibility and spacious seats, with height-adjustable seatbelts and three full LATCH connections for child safety seats. The Passport's seats were comfortable, with available perforated leather upholstery and tri-zone automatic climate control. The SUV excelled in cargo space, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The power liftgate and thoughtful small-item storage added to its practicality.

The 2021 Audi Q3, while offering less cargo space with 48 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, made up for it with impressive passenger space. The front seats were comfortable, with deep cargo pockets, and the rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom. The Q3 could comfortably seat four passengers for a road trip, though packing light was advisable.

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 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The larger screen was responsive, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Passport's dashboard design, borrowed from the Pilot, looked slightly outdated but remained functional.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi's MMI system, with standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The upgraded system featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. Available features included wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display, enhancing the Q3's modern appeal.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning good scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, and being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Buyers could also opt for a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.