2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

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 the Honda Pilot and CR-V, presenting a rugged and athletic appearance that set it apart from its siblings. The Passport's elevated ground clearance further enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers. Inside, the Passport boasted a sophisticated cabin with a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, providing a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers. The Elite trim level offered luxurious features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a moonroof, ensuring a premium driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements, with a distinctive front-end design that exuded assertiveness without being overly flashy. The QX80's body-on-frame construction provided a robust foundation, while its independent suspension system delivered a comfortable ride. The interior, though luxurious, retained some Nissan characteristics, with wood trim and leather upholstery adding a touch of elegance. Despite its size, the QX80's interior space was competitive, offering ample room for passengers across all three rows. However, the cargo space was somewhat limited compared to its rivals, and the overall design leaned more towards practicality than exclusivity.

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, the engine provided smooth acceleration and sufficient power for various driving conditions. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while AWD models slightly underperformed. The Passport's torque-vectoring AWD system enhanced its stability on winding roads and off-road trails, making it a capable performer in diverse environments. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, the Passport outperformed many of its competitors in this regard.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. While its power output was slightly lower than some rivals, the engine's responsiveness made highway overtaking effortless. The seven-speed automatic transmission, however, could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction and independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, though some body roll was noticeable during cornering. Its towing capacity of 8,500 pounds was impressive, surpassing the Cadillac Escalade but slightly trailing the Lincoln Navigator. Despite its size, the QX80's off-road capabilities were limited by its wheel-and-tire combinations, which prioritized on-road comfort.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical choice, offering a spacious interior with ample room for four adults. Its seats, reminiscent of those in the Honda Pilot and Odyssey, provided excellent comfort and support. The Passport excelled in cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The SUV's elevated stance contributed to a high load floor, but a power liftgate made loading and unloading easier. The Passport's interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors, enhancing its practicality for road trips.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a standard seven-seat configuration, with an optional eight-seat layout. While passenger space was competitive, the QX80's cargo capacity lagged behind segment leaders like the Cadillac Escalade. With 16.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded, the QX80 provided adequate but not exceptional storage. The interior featured a power liftgate and power-folding third row, simplifying the transition between passenger and cargo hauling. However, the front seats lacked thigh support, which could be uncomfortable on long journeys, and the center console's storage space was limited.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a straightforward infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality, though its design appeared somewhat dated. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims adding a 10-speaker system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. While not flashy, the Passport's technology suite was practical and reliable.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came equipped with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch touchscreens. While the system offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, its user interface was less intuitive, requiring trial and error to navigate. The QX80 also included a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with an optional 17-speaker upgrade and a Theater Package for rear-seat entertainment. Despite its advanced features, the system's usability was hindered by its small screens and complex controls.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high marks 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, 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 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong side crash test results. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. While these features were common among mainstream SUVs, Infiniti's decision to make them standard was commendable.