2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design language. Its exterior, reminiscent of a scaled-down Honda Pilot or an enhanced CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Passport's four trim levels—Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite—offered various features, with the Elite trim boasting a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and chrome exhaust finishers. The increased ground clearance compared to the Pilot further emphasized its off-road capabilities.

Inside, the Passport's cabin was a blend of durability and sophistication, mirroring the Honda Pilot's interior. The Elite trim featured perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof. The design, while not groundbreaking, was practical and comfortable, appealing to loyal Honda customers. Lower trims offered packages like Urban and Adventure, adding features such as crossbars and running boards.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design approach, maintaining its traditional boxy profile and rectangular grille while incorporating softer lines and more chrome. The LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights added a distinctive touch. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively.

Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural, luxurious feel. The Orrefors crystal shifter in the Inscription trim added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The XC90's design successfully balanced modern luxury with Volvo's conservative roots.

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. While the engine provided sufficient power for various driving situations, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, and AWD models slightly lower. The Passport's large fuel tank allowed for over 400 miles of range.

The Passport's performance remained consistent even at high elevations, such as the peaks of Yosemite National Park. The Elite trim's torque-vectoring AWD system enhanced stability, especially on winding roads. The Passport also offered Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, proving its off-road capabilities during trail driving in Texas. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, the Passport outperformed rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 engine, turbocharged, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine, both turbocharged and supercharged, increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft.

While the T8's power was impressive, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90's drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—required careful management to balance efficiency and power. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, though the base FWD T5 was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2020 Honda Passport was all about practicality. Its size, slightly larger than the CR-V, provided good visibility and spacious seating for four adults. The Passport's seats, similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, offered ample knee and legroom. Cloth upholstery was standard, with perforated leather available. The tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades added comfort for backseat passengers.

Cargo space was a strong point, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The high load floor was expected given the Passport's elevated stance. Small-item storage was also well thought out, with a large center console and additional shelf space in the front doors. The interior's harder plastic surfaces were easy to clean, though the piano black trim required frequent dusting.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average, with the third row tight for adults. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile enhanced the spacious feel. Standard four-zone climate control and an optional filtration system improved air quality.

The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, though a power-adjustable steering wheel was absent. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console and few console storage options. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, placing it near the bottom of the segment.

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 integration. The system was practical, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality, and included a manual power button and volume knob. 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 Passport's dashboard, borrowed from the Pilot, looked slightly outdated but remained functional. The center-stack design, though not flashy, was practical and easy to use.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity. The standard 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and built-in WiFi hotspot provided a comprehensive tech package. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, with swipe functionality similar to a tablet. The lack of analog controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well and complemented the minimalist interior design.

However, the text-heavy menus and typeface made reading difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the second-row USB-C ports limited front-seat charging options for newer phones.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning good scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The standard Honda Sensing suite included collision mitigation braking, forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, offering smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles, though it struggled with highway curves.