2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design and reliable parts. Its exterior resembled a smaller Honda Pilot but with a more rugged and athletic appearance, bridging the gap between the Pilot and the CR-V. The Passport's design included a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, giving it a robust look. The interior was sophisticated, featuring a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, with the Elite trim offering heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo sported a sleek design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, and black side mirror housings. The CX-30's cabin was upscale, with quality materials and a minimalist design that created a sense of spaciousness. The front seats were heated, and the Premium and Premium Plus trims included a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seats were cramped, and the front passenger seat lacked the adjustability of the driver's seat. The CX-30 offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Passport's fuel economy was 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for FWD models, and slightly lower for AWD models. The Passport excelled in various driving conditions, including high elevations and off-road trails, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with the available towing package.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane, and 310 to 320 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ AWD. The CX-30's fuel economy was 25 mpg combined, with a driving range of just over 305 miles. The CX-30 Turbo offered effortless acceleration and a sophisticated driving experience, with G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and an Off-Road mode for enhanced traction. However, its added height and weight made it less agile than the Mazda3.

The 2020 Honda Passport was practical, offering ample space for four adults and a generous cargo area with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. It featured height-adjustable seatbelts, three full LATCH connections, and available tri-zone automatic climate control. The Passport's seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery standard and perforated leather available. It also had excellent small-item storage, including a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided a comfortable driving experience with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a driver-focused interior layout. The front seats were heated, but ventilated seats were not available. The rear seats were cramped, but rear-seat air conditioning vents helped improve comfort. The CX-30 offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base model came with a 5.0-inch display, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was practical and easy to navigate, with a manual power button and volume knob. Higher trims offered additional features like a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo had an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via physical controls and voice commands. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the process of changing radio stations was cumbersome. The CX-30 Turbo came with three years of Mazda Connected Services, including remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function. Premium trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Honda Passport was designed with safety in mind, 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 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. It came with a full suite of i-ActiveSense ADAS, including adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-30 Turbo also featured a mobile 9-1-1 emergency notification system.