2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2020 Honda Passport strongly represented the typical design ethos seen in Honda vehicles. Its exterior lent inspiration from the Honda Pilot and CR-V, creating an amalgamation nestled firmly between both in terms of size, capability, aesthetic, and price point. The Passport’s rugged and athletic exterior was designed with a matte black grille and bumpers, 20-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in all-weather tires, black-rimmed LED headlights, chrome exhaust finishers, and strategic gloss-black trim. These styling cues distinguished it from its siblings, the Pilot and CR-V, marking it as more adventurous.

Despite the more rugged exterior, the Passport's interior leaned towards sophistication. The cabin featured a blend of durable and plush materials, with an overall design philosophy that echoed that of the Honda Pilot. Specifically, the Passport Elite trim featured perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, and an illuminated beverage holder. Additionally, it offered a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions and a moonroof. The design choices in the cabin prioritized utility and comfort, providing a spacious and unembellished atmosphere favorable to ardent Honda buyers.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased the brand's dedication to luxury and innovation. Borrowing design elements from the sleek Escala concept, the front end of the redesigned Escalade captured attention with its standard 22-inch wheels and distinctive OLED taillights stretching vertically into the roof. Although the rear design didn’t deviate much from its predecessors, it maintained a familiar and refined aesthetic.

The Escalade, starting at $76,195 for the base trim with leatherette upholstery and RWD, offered several advanced trims like the Premium Luxury and Sport trims, each with additional luxury features. For a more opulent experience, buyers could choose the Platinum trim for nearly $100,000. Our test vehicle included Premium Luxury trim with AWD, premium sound and entertainment systems, ground lighting, various tech packages, and a Shadow Metallic paint, totalling $102,310.

Inside, the Premium Luxury trim showcased Parchment leather with a Jet Black base and Tamo Ash wood accents. Advanced features like heated and ventilated front seats, massaging functionalities, and an impeccably designed dashboard with upscale materials added to the premium feel of the cabin. Despite a few lower-quality plastic elements, the interior exuded a high level of luxury expected from Cadillac.

The 2020 Honda Passport came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, ensuring sufficient power for diverse driving conditions. Paired with a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine facilitated a smooth driving experience from the bustling streets of Fresno to the high elevations of Yosemite National Park. The torque-vectoring AWD system, which came standard on the Elite trim, provided enhanced stability and control by directing up to 100 percent of torque to individual rear wheels when necessary, proving beneficial on varied terrains.

However, the Passport’s fuel efficiency lagged, delivering an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for FWD versions, and slightly lower figures for AWD models. Despite its less impressive fuel economy, the Passport could cover over 400 miles on a full tank, owing to its 19.5-gallon fuel tank. Capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, the Passport outperformed rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer in towing capacity.

Conversely, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered two engine options: the standard 6.2-liter V8 and a no-cost optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-6. The V8 produced an impressive 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring strong acceleration and capable performance. The dynamic fuel management in the V8 aimed to improve fuel efficiency by allowing the engine to operate on fewer cylinders when needed, achieving an average of 15.9 mpg during a 140-mile test loop.

The turbo-diesel engine, while less powerful in terms of horsepower (277 hp), matched the V8's torque output (460 lb-ft), with lower RPM torque delivery proving beneficial for heavy towing and initial acceleration. The Escalade boasted advanced ride and handling features, including an independent rear suspension, next-gen Magnetic Ride Control, and a 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, all contributing to a more refined and controlled drive across various terrains. However, it was worth noting that during our test drive, the Escalade couldn't escape delivering a few false alerts with its safety system when climbing certain terrains.

The Honda Passport, though compact compared to some mid-size SUVs, prided itself on practicality. Its right-sized build provided sufficient greenhouse space and ample seating for four adults, with no options for a third row. Seat comfort and practicality were significant, featuring height-adjustable seatbelts and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats. Enhanced comfort features like tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades catered well to backseat passengers.

In terms of cargo space, the Passport offered an impressive 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, trumping many competitors in the two-row SUV segment. The cargo hold was user-friendly, with themes of practical under-floor storage and an accessible power liftgate. The capacious center console storage and additional shelf spaces provided thoughtful places for small items, crucial during road trips.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade bet heavily on increased space and luxury. The new independent rear suspension helped lower the cabin floor, and combined with the longer wheelbase, this added significant internal volume. Front seats were outfitted with myriad luxury features, including massaging functions for the higher trims. Second-row captain’s chairs came standard, with the option for a three-person bench. The second-row chairs could slide and offer heated functionalities.

Accessing the third-row was more effortless than before, and the space now comfortably accommodated adults thanks to the increased legroom and a lower floor. The cabin extended its luxury to all passengers with a standard triple-zone automatic climate control. Cargo capacity spikes were notable: 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a full 109.1 cubic feet when also folding the second-row. Opting for the extended-length Escalade ESV further boosted these capacities to 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet respectively.

The 2020 Honda Passport highlighted practicality in its tech offerings. Base models started with a 5.0-inch monitor, while the EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims came with an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system. This larger screen facilitated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrations and included basic touch functionalities like pinch, swipe, and tap. Additional tech enhancements came with higher trims, offering a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, extra USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade redefined high-tech luxury. It incorporated an industry-leading OLED screen measuring 38 inches, boasting superior pixel density and color quality. Despite its large size and curved design, the screen had practical features like an anti-glare surface film. For user-friendliness, Cadillac integrated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although some inconsistencies were noted in connecting certain smartphones.

The voice recognition technology in the Escalade showed room for improvement. Standard luxury features included a 19-speaker AKG sound system, enhancing navigation voice commands and conversation amplifications from all three seating rows. Adding to this, a 36-speaker AKG Reference system further elevated auditory quality, complete with stainless steel grilles and individual volume controls for front and rear passengers. The full-color head-up display came standard on all but the base trim, aiding drivers with crucial information easily visible even with polarized glasses.

Safety was paramount for Honda when designing the 2020 Passport. Earning high scores from both IIHS and NHTSA and achieving an IIHS Top Safety Pick, the Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite. This included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims received additional features such as dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic detection.

For the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, safety started with its sheer size, providing a physical advantage in collisions. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking at low speeds, and front and rear pedestrian detection. The Safety Alert Seat warned drivers through seat vibrations, enhancing the immediate awareness of potential dangers.

Premium Luxury and Sport trims further included blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package added high-speed forward and rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control. However, some false alerts were observed during test drives, indicating areas for further refinement. The anticipated addition of Cadillac’s Super Cruise technology later in the year aimed to boost appeal for long-distance driving with enhanced hands-free capabilities.