2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2020 Honda Passport

The 2020 Honda Passport was a testament to Honda's consistent design philosophy, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda buyers. Its exterior design was a blend of ruggedness and athleticism, positioned between the larger Pilot and the smaller CR-V. The Passport's elevated ground clearance and robust styling cues gave it a more adventurous look, while its interior was a harmonious mix of practicality and sophistication. The cabin, similar to the Honda Pilot, featured high-quality materials and a spacious layout, providing comfort and utility without straying from Honda's tried-and-true design approach.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a strategic evolution of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing crossover market. It featured distinctive black body cladding, model-specific wheels, and a taller ride height, enhancing its SUV-like appearance. The Crosstrek's vibrant color options added to its character, while its interior, though functional, was somewhat plain. The Sport trim level introduced unique accents, but the overall design remained closely tied to the Impreza, emphasizing practicality over luxury. Despite its compact size, the Crosstrek offered a comfortable ride and good visibility, making it a versatile choice for urban and suburban environments.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and reliable performance across various driving conditions. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while AWD models slightly underperformed. The Passport excelled in towing capacity, able to tow up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing competitors like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer. Its torque-vectoring AWD system enhanced stability and control, especially in challenging terrains, making it a capable off-roader.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque for the Sport and Limited trims, and a 2.0-liter engine with 152 horsepower for the Base and Premium trims. The Crosstrek's AWD system, standard across all trims, included torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. While the Crosstrek's higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll, it maintained a comfortable ride with low wind noise. The new engine provided a modest performance boost, but acceleration remained adequate, accompanied by the characteristic droning of the CVT.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical midsize SUV, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. Its dimensions allowed for a roomy interior, with comfortable seating for four adults and generous legroom. The Passport's cargo area boasted 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, with additional under-floor storage, making it one of the most spacious in its class. The SUV's interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including a large center console and secondary shelf space, enhancing its practicality for road trips and daily use. The Passport's elevated stance contributed to a high load floor, but its power liftgate and easy-to-clean surfaces added to its convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity compared to other small crossovers. With 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Crosstrek was more compact car than crossover. Its interior featured a practical layout, with a handy cubby hole for phones and decent-sized bottle holders in the doors. However, storage space was minimal, and the driving position, while higher than the Impreza, did not provide the commanding view of traditional SUVs. The Crosstrek's visibility was enhanced by its large side windows and low front fascia.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a straightforward infotainment system, with the base Sport model offering a 5.0-inch display and higher trims equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The larger screen supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with intuitive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. The Passport's infotainment system was practical, if not flashy, with easy-to-navigate options. Higher trims offered additional features like a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Despite its slightly outdated dashboard design, the Passport's technology package was reliable and user-friendly.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek utilized the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Premium and Sport trims added features like WiFi and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Limited trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. Subaru's unique dual-screen setup displayed redundant information, but the main touchscreen was responsive and easy to use. The Crosstrek's analog knobs and buttons for audio and climate control were a practical touch, and the steering wheel controls for EyeSight driver-assistance features ensured ease of use.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high marks from both the IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included features like collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection. While it lacked some of the advanced driver-assist technologies found in newer models, the Passport's safety features were comprehensive and effective.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for the 2020 model. The Crosstrek's EyeSight system, standard on CVT-equipped models, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert enhanced safety on higher trims. While EyeSight's camera positioning limited functionality in certain conditions, the system was well-protected and effective in most scenarios.