2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2020 Honda Passport followed the classic Honda design ethos, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that kept loyal customers coming back. Its exterior was a blend of the Honda Pilot and CR-V, giving it a rugged and athletic look. The Passport's higher ground clearance compared to the Pilot made it more off-road capable. Inside, the Passport Elite trim featured a sophisticated cabin with a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, heated and ventilated front seats, and a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel. The design emphasized spaciousness and practicality, with a layout that was both functional and comfortable.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that was once ahead of its time but had become more mainstream by 2021. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were no longer groundbreaking. The interior was conservative but functional, with controls placed intuitively for ease of use. The Murano focused on comfort, making it an ideal vehicle for commutes and road trips. The trims ranged from the base S with essential features to the luxurious Platinum with premium leather and a panoramic moonroof.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided sufficient power for various driving situations, although its fuel economy was less impressive. The FWD models achieved 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, while AWD models were slightly lower. The Passport excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its higher ground clearance and torque-vectoring AWD system. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming the Nissan Murano's 1,500-pound capacity.

The 2021 Nissan Murano also featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano prioritized a comfortable ride, making it suitable for daily commutes and long trips. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, significantly lower than the Passport's.

The 2020 Honda Passport was all about practicality. Its size was just right, offering ample visibility and spacious seating for four adults. The interior featured height-adjustable seatbelts, three full LATCH connections, and available tri-zone automatic climate control. Cargo space was a standout, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The Passport also excelled in small-item storage, with a large center console and additional shelf space in the front doors.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use. While this was less than the Passport, the Murano made up for it with user-friendly features like a hands-free power liftgate on higher trims. The Murano's two-row seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with partial reclining functionality for the second row. The interior was designed for convenience, with a traditional shifter and a center console full of trays and cubbies.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base Sport 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. The system was practical, with a manual power button and volume knob, and responsive touch functionality. Additional features on higher trims included a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless phone charger, and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. Higher trims offered an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation.

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, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, with new standard features like reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also included forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors.