2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design and functionality. Its exterior, reminiscent of a scaled-down Honda Pilot or an enhanced CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Passport Elite trim, in particular, came fully loaded with features like a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights. The additional ground clearance compared to the Pilot made it more off-road capable.

Inside, the Passport's cabin was a blend of durability and comfort, featuring heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof in the Elite trim. The design emphasized spaciousness, with a button-heavy shifting mechanism that saved space. The interior materials and layout were practical, if not particularly unique, appealing to loyal Honda buyers who appreciated the brand's consistent design philosophy.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, available in four trim levels, offered a luxurious experience, especially in the top-of-the-line SX trim with the Prestige package. This package transformed the Telluride into a near-luxury SUV with premium Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, and heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Nightfall Edition added a stylish blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch wheels and a unique grille insert.

The Telluride's interior was a model of contemporary design and quality execution, with thoughtful touches like a solid and smooth transmission shifter and a well-placed center console. The SX trim's interior featured acoustic sound-absorbing glass, sliding second-row captain’s chairs, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with 14 different settings. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the smart hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2020 Honda Passport was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. 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, 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 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Kia’s Drive Mode Select offered Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional and included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction. The Telluride handled various terrains well, from muddy trails in Colorado to mountain roads near Malibu, thanks to its suspension tuning that minimized head-toss and provided a smooth ride. The Telluride's fuel economy was competitive, with AWD models achieving 21 mpg combined.

The 2020 Honda Passport was all about practicality. Its right-sized dimensions provided good visibility and spacious seating for four adults, with no third-row option. The Passport offered height-adjustable seatbelts, three full LATCH connections, and comfortable seats similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey. The SUV 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 door shelves provided ample small-item storage, and the power liftgate added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility. The SX trim's driver’s seat offered 14-way power adjustments, and both front seats were heated and ventilated. The second-row captain’s chairs, also heated and ventilated, provided easy access to the third-row seat, which was spacious enough for adults. The Telluride offered thoughtful storage solutions, including smartphone bins, USB ports, and grocery bag hooks. The smart hands-free power liftgate revealed 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 5.0-inch display in the base Sport model, while higher trims had an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 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, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The EX and SX trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and other upgrades. Kia’s UVO Link connected services offered various features, including Rear Occupant Alert and remote engine start. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

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

The 2021 Kia Telluride included eight standard safety technologies, such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX and SX trims featured Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also offered front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, despite some issues with its headlights.