2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Subaru Outback
Overview | |
MSRP$31,990 | MSRP$26,795 |
Average price$24,648 | Average price$24,586 |
Listings146 | Listings859 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2020 Honda Passport Reviews SummaryHonda has brought back the Passport name for its latest SUV offering. The two-row crossover is an upmarket take on transport that proves just as comfortable on the road as it is on the trail. Though the model doesn’t break the Honda mold, it has a lot to like, including off-road capability and thoughtful interior functionality. | |
2021 Subaru Outback Reviews SummaryThe Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 280 hp V6 | Engine2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway25 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 280 hp V6 | Engine Name2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Torque262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway25 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space41.2 cu ft | Cargo Space32.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight3959 lbs | Curb Weight3634 lbs |
Height71.6 in | Height66.1 in |
Length190.5 in | Length191.3 in |
Width78.6 in | Width82.0 in |
Wheelbase111.0 in | Wheelbase108.1 in |
Maximum Payload1332 lbs | Maximum Payload1071 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2700 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $31,990 | $26,795 |
Average price | $24,648 | $24,586 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
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Summary | Honda has brought back the Passport name for its latest SUV offering. The two-row crossover is an upmarket take on transport that proves just as comfortable on the road as it is on the trail. Though the model doesn’t break the Honda mold, it has a lot to like, including off-road capability and thoughtful interior functionality. | The Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 280 hp V6 | 2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Drive Train | FWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 25 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 280 hp V6 | 2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 25 | 33 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 41.2 cu ft | 32.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3959 lbs | 3634 lbs |
Height | 71.6 in | 66.1 in |
Length | 190.5 in | 191.3 in |
Width | 78.6 in | 82.0 in |
Wheelbase | 111.0 in | 108.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1332 lbs | 1071 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 2700 lbs |
The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design language and practical aesthetics. Its exterior, reminiscent of a scaled-down Honda Pilot or a beefed-up CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Passport's higher ground clearance compared to the Pilot, along with its scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, gave it a robust off-road-ready appearance. 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, ensuring comfort and utility.
In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel akin to older Subaru models. The interior, especially in higher trims, offered a fresher look with an 11.6-inch portrait display, chrome trim, and contrasting leatherette. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. The Outback's exterior maintained a smooth, plain styling with high gray cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers, emphasizing its ruggedness. Despite its modern updates, the Outback's design remained true to its roots as a lifted wagon, offering a practical alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.
The 2020 Honda Passport was powered by 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, though its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, and AWD models slightly lower. 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 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four in the XT trims, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The base engine struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance, while the turbocharged engine provided a significant improvement in power and refinement. The Outback's fuel economy was commendable, with the base engine achieving 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, and the turbo XT slightly lower. Subaru's AWD system and X-Mode enhanced the Outback's off-road capabilities, making it a versatile and capable vehicle.
The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical midsize SUV with ample interior space and comfort. It offered spacious seating for four adults, with height-adjustable seatbelts and three full LATCH connections in the second row. The Passport's cargo area was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors. The Passport's heating and cooling functionalities, along with heated and ventilated seats, added to its comfort and convenience.
The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of intrusive elements. The Outback's seats were comfortable and supportive, with excellent headroom and legroom in all four outboard positions. Storage solutions included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering brilliant engineering and convenience.
The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 5.0-inch display monitor in the base Sport model, while higher trims received an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The larger screen was responsive and easy to navigate, though the dashboard design felt a bit outdated. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, despite its modern tech, looked dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The central screen in the instrument panel was particularly lacking. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern-looking. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system's functionality was impressive but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.
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 offered additional features like dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.
The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and received top ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Honda Passport is 8.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Subaru Outback scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Honda Passport is the recommended choice, offering a more practical and capable package for consumers seeking a reliable midsize SUV.
Choose the 2020 Honda Passport if:
- You need a practical and spacious midsize SUV with ample cargo space.
- You value off-road capability and a higher towing capacity.
- You prefer a vehicle with a familiar and reliable design.
Choose the 2021 Subaru Outback if:
- You want a versatile vehicle with excellent off-road capabilities and high ground clearance.
- You appreciate a comfortable and spacious interior with ample storage solutions.
- You prioritize advanced safety features and a strong safety record.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Honda Passport is 8.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Subaru Outback scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Honda Passport is the recommended choice, offering a more practical and capable package for consumers seeking a reliable midsize SUV.
Choose the 2020 Honda Passport if:
Shop Now- You need a practical and spacious midsize SUV with ample cargo space.
- You value off-road capability and a higher towing capacity.
- You prefer a vehicle with a familiar and reliable design.
Choose the 2021 Subaru Outback if:
Shop Now- You want a versatile vehicle with excellent off-road capabilities and high ground clearance.
- You appreciate a comfortable and spacious interior with ample storage solutions.
- You prioritize advanced safety features and a strong safety record.

By: CarGurus + AI
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