2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design and reliable components. Its exterior resembled a smaller Honda Pilot but with a more rugged and athletic appearance, bridging the gap between the Pilot and the CR-V. The Passport's design included a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, giving it a robust look. The interior was sophisticated yet practical, featuring a mix of durable and soft-touch materials. The Elite trim level came with luxurious features like perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof, making it a well-appointed cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 showcased a sharp, modern design that carried the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. The Q5 featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a large Singleframe grille, emphasizing its width. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear boasted bold taillights. Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern, with a high level of material selection and a well-organized layout. The 10.1-inch touchscreen and Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster added to the futuristic feel, while the second row offered ample space and comfort.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided sufficient power for various driving situations, although its fuel economy was less impressive. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, while the AWD model managed 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Passport excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took performance to another level with its combined output of 362 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque, thanks to a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a 14.1-kWh battery. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds and achieve an impressive 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with Quattro AWD, offering various driving modes, including an electric-only range of up to 20 miles. Its handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2020 Honda Passport was all about practicality. Its size was just right, offering good visibility and spacious seating for four adults. The interior featured height-adjustable seatbelts, three full LATCH connections, and comfortable seats similar to those in the Honda Pilot and Odyssey. The Passport excelled in cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The center console and additional storage spaces made it easy to store small items, while the hard plastic surfaces were easy to clean.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV also struck a balance between size and functionality. It managed to carry its battery pack without sacrificing cargo space, offering 25.1 cubic feet behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches) and headroom (37.7 inches), making it comfortable for two adults. The front seats were highly adjustable, heated, and ventilated in the Prestige trim. The interior featured several storage options, including cupholders, cubbies, and a center-console bin, all laid out smartly for ease of use.

The 2020 Honda Passport came with a 5.0-inch display in the base Sport model, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was practical and easy to navigate, with a manual power button and volume knob. Other standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV boasted Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The system was user-friendly and customizable, with features like color/mood-adjustable LED ambient lighting. The Prestige Package included navigation, which worked with the hybrid system to optimize fuel consumption. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was a convenient addition, and the Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers provided excellent sound quality. Wireless Apple CarPlay was also included.

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

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline model received top ratings in most categories. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Standard safety features included six airbags, ABS with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.