2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Volvo XC60

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 matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, gave it a robust off-road-ready appearance.

Inside, the Passport's cabin was more sophisticated than rugged, featuring a mix of durable and soft-touch materials. The Elite trim level boasted perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a host of other comfort features. The interior design emphasized spaciousness and practicality, with a layout that would be familiar and comforting to long-time Honda buyers.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60's exterior design was elegant and athletic, with short front and rear overhangs, a distinctive upright grille, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were meticulously executed, and the large alloy wheels added to its stylish appearance.

Inside, the XC60's cabin was a paragon of Scandinavian design, featuring clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, though it required some acclimatization. The interior was filled with thoughtful details, such as elegant HVAC vents and harmonious textures and colors, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2020 Honda Passport was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided sufficient power for various driving situations, though its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city/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 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the T5 model's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, featured a plug-in hybrid system with a combined output of up to 415 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided excellent handling, and its fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe for the T8 in electric-only mode.

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 excelled in cargo space, providing 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, such as a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system that excelled in cold weather. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, including secure storage in the seatbacks and door panels. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It was also rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

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, though the dashboard design felt a bit outdated. Higher trims offered additional features like a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system, Sensus, used a tablet-style touchpad interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The system's portrait orientation and function quadrants made it intuitive for some users, though it required a learning curve. The XC60 included built-in smartphone integration, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo On Call app for remote vehicle functions. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was exceptional.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, 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, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping aid. The XC60 also offered Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system and was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.