2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2020 Honda Passport was a testament to Honda's consistent design philosophy, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda customers. Its exterior design was a blend of ruggedness and athleticism, positioned between the Honda Pilot and CR-V in terms of size and capability. The Passport's elevated ground clearance and robust styling cues, such as the matte black grille and 20-inch black alloy wheels, contributed to its off-road appeal. Inside, the Passport Elite trim boasted a sophisticated cabin with a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, featuring heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a spacious layout that emphasized comfort and practicality.

In contrast, the 2021 Genesis GV80 represented a fresh design approach, unburdened by a long legacy, allowing for innovation and a distinctive style. The GV80's exterior showcased elegance with its long hood, trapezoidal grille, and signature Quad Lamp LED headlights, establishing a unique Genesis look. The interior was a highlight, offering a sleek and uncluttered dashboard with a focus on horizontal design elements, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a 14.5-inch high-definition display. The GV80's cabin exuded luxury, with features like a rotary gear selector, capacitive touch buttons, and a bridge-like center console, creating a sophisticated and technologically advanced environment.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While its performance was adequate for various driving situations, its fuel economy was less impressive, with EPA estimates of 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for FWD models. The Passport's AWD system, standard on the Elite trim, provided a planted feel on the road, with torque-vectoring capabilities enhancing its off-road prowess. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing competitors like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 horsepower. The GV80's eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD system provided a smooth and powerful driving experience. The 3.5T model featured advanced suspension technology, including electronically-controlled suspension with road preview and an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing ride comfort and handling. The GV80's fuel economy varied, with the 2.5T achieving up to 23 mpg combined and the 3.5T AWD rated at 20 mpg combined.

The 2020 Honda Passport was praised for its practicality, offering a spacious interior with comfortable seating for four adults and ample cargo space. With 41.2 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class, the Passport excelled in utility. Features like tri-zone automatic climate control, second-row sunshades, and a power liftgate added to its family-friendly appeal. The Passport's interior design focused on functionality, with thoughtful storage solutions and easy-to-clean surfaces.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 impressed with its sophisticated interior, featuring a blend of technology, design, and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a multimedia controller with a knurled metal finish, while the HVAC control panel offered capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking. The GV80's second row provided comfort and luxury, with power seats, window shades, and climate control. A third row was available on select models, increasing passenger capacity to seven. The GV80's interior was a testament to luxury and innovation, offering a refined and comfortable environment.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a practical infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.0-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality, and included features like Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, though the design felt slightly outdated compared to newer models.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 boasted a cutting-edge infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered user-configurable split-screen displays, cloud connectivity, and over-the-air updates. Android users could utilize a digital key function, while the GV80 provided three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services. Advanced features like a head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster enhanced the driving experience, while the Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

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, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection, providing comprehensive safety coverage.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was equipped with an extensive array of safety features, though it had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included 10 airbags, blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. The GV80's adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist offered advanced driver-assist capabilities, while Remote Smart Parking Assist added convenience and safety in parking situations.