2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Honda Passport was very much a product of Honda's tried-and-true design philosophy, showcasing robust, practical aesthetics that appealed to the brand's loyal fan base. Visually, the Passport appeared as a condensed version of the Honda Pilot, sporting rugged and athletic cues that elevated it above the CR-V in terms of exterior bravado. From the outside, all Passport trims featured distinguishable elements like a scratch-resistant matte black grille and bumper, 20-inch black alloy wheels, black-rimmed LED headlights, chrome exhaust finishers, and gloss-black trim. This combination added a layer of sophistication while maintaining an off-road-ready aesthetic. The extra ground clearance – 0.5 inches more for FWD models and 1.1 inches for AWD models – further emphasized its off-road potential. Inside, the Passport's cabin exuded a sense of refined utility. The Elite trim brought in perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and other high-end features like an illuminated beverage holder and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings. The overall design was spacious but retained Honda's characteristic lack of flair, focusing instead on practicality and comfort. In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue wore a bolder, more modern design. The SUV sported a technical appearance accentuated by dark gray plastic cladding and eye-catching simulated skid plates. LED lighting elements, a V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning contributed to its contemporary SUV look. Aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter and optional two-tone paint further enhanced its aesthetic. Nissan offered four versions of the Rogue – S, SV, SL, and the new Platinum trim. The Platinum trim featured luxurious amenities such as semi-aniline quilted leather, providing a genuinely upscale feel. The Rogue's Almond-colored leather interior coupled with a panoramic glass sunroof contributed to a cabin that was both light and roomy, with ample soft-touch surfaces and simulated wood trim for added quality. Controls were logically arranged, enhancing overall usability.

The 2020 Honda Passport came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the engine delivered smooth performance, whether on flat terrain or climbing the heights of Yosemite National Park. While its 0.5 - 1.1-inch extra ground clearance helped with off-road capability, fuel economy was one area where the Passport lagged. FWD models offered EPA-estimated figures of 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. AWD models fared slightly worse at 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Despite these figures, its 19.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for over 400 miles of range. Nissan's 2021 Rogue, on the other hand, was powered by a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), was adequate for everyday use but felt underpowered for adventure-oriented tasks. The CVT was commendable for its near-traditional automatic feel, aided by programmed ratios and paddle shifters. With available AWD, the Rogue boasted 8.2 inches of ground clearance along with Snow and Off-Road driving modes. Fuel economy for the tested front-wheel-drive Rogue SL came in at 27.5 mpg, just under the official EPA rating. In terms of driving dynamics, the Rogue excelled. Based on a sturdy new architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, it sported an advanced suspension system and added control systems for enhanced ride quality. The Rogue's steering was dramatically improved due to its new electric assist location and quickened ratio, providing a more responsive and predictable feel.

Practicality was the cornerstone of the 2020 Honda Passport. Its size was comparable to the CR-V but offered better visibility and more spacious seating for four adults. The interior included height-adjustable seatbelts and three full LATCH connections in the second row for child safety seats. The Passport's seats were noted for their comfort and spaciousness, particularly similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, with cloth upholstery standard and perforated leather available. With tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades, rear occupants enjoyed enhanced comfort. The Passport provided significant cargo capacity, featuring 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and leading in under-floor storage space. A power liftgate and an array of small-item storage solutions further enhanced its practicality. In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue emphasized comfort with its upgraded Zero Gravity seats, which varied from cloth in the S trim to premium leather in the Platinum trim. While heating capabilities were present, ventilated seats were notably absent. The Rogue championed rear-seat comfort with generous headroom and legroom, near-90-degree rear door opening angles, and extra LATCH anchors for child seats. The Rogue's cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims to 36.5 cubic feet with the SL and Platinum trims featuring the Divide-N-Hide cargo system. Despite the slight reduction from the previous model, the Rogue’s maximum cargo space of 74.1 cubic feet remained competitive. Additionally, the Rogue included practical storage solutions like an electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console and accommodating door-panel pockets.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base Sport model included a 5.0-inch display, while higher trims had an 8.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The larger screen offered pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard technology included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims adding a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Though practical, the Pilot-derived dashboard seemed outdated. Nissan's 2021 Rogue provided a robust infotainment offering. The base S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim included a larger 9-inch display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. Platinum trim further enhanced the tech offering with wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

Honda emphasized safety in the 2020 Passport, earning good scores from both the IIHS and NHTSA, and securing an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Passport came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included features like Collision Mitigation Braking System, forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera. Higher trims added dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.