2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2020 Honda Passport followed the traditional Honda design ethos, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda buyers. Its exterior, reminiscent of a scaled-down Honda Pilot and a beefed-up CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Elite trim, in particular, came well-equipped with features like a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, enhancing its off-road appeal. The additional ground clearance further positioned the Passport as a capable off-roader.

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 design emphasized spaciousness and practicality, 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 BMW X5, known for its high-quality craftsmanship, maintained the brand's signature design elements, from the kidney grille to the body shape. The X5's exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added sporty touches like body-color wheel arch trim and high-gloss black roof rails. The interior, while sharing many components with other BMW models, offered a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was prone to collecting dust.

The X5's interior was spacious and comfortable, with heated seats and armrests. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier. However, the X5 xDrive45e's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the cabin remained quiet, absorbing road imperfections well.

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. AWD models performed slightly worse. The Passport excelled in off-road conditions, with torque-vectoring AWD and drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M offered up to 617 horsepower with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. However, the X5's steering dynamics were less impressive, especially at higher speeds, and the vehicle's handling felt disconnected.

The 2020 Honda Passport was practical, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. Its size provided good visibility and comfortable seating for four adults. The Passport featured height-adjustable seatbelts, three full LATCH connections, and available tri-zone automatic climate control. The cargo area offered 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, with the most under-floor storage in its class. The center console and door shelves provided ample small-item storage, while the hard plastic surfaces were easy to clean.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders positioned out of the way and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats were spacious, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated loading cargo. The X5 xDrive45e had slightly less cargo space due to the battery. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the cabin remained quiet, absorbing road imperfections well.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 5.0-inch display monitor on the base Sport model, while higher trims received an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was practical and easy to navigate, with additional features like Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless phone charger, and Wi-Fi hotspot. The dashboard design, borrowed from the Pilot, looked slightly outdated but remained functional.

The 2021 BMW X5 came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system occasionally took over musical operations unexpectedly. Other standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, massaging seats, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

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, including 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.

The 2021 BMW X5 included a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in sunny or rainy conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.