2020 Honda Passport vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. Despite its SUV status, the Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which improved its off-road capabilities. The interior was luxurious, with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Passport was a practical and rugged SUV, fitting comfortably between the Honda Pilot and CR-V in terms of size and capability. Its exterior design suggested a more athletic and adventurous spirit, with features like a scratch-resistant matte black grille and 20-inch black alloy wheels. The Passport's interior was spacious and comfortable, with a focus on utility. It offered a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, with features like heated and ventilated seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The Passport's design was straightforward and functional, appealing to those who valued practicality over flashiness.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a range of powertrains, with the highlight being the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition's 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar also featured off-road capabilities with Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although it lacked a low range for serious off-roading.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport provided smooth performance in various driving conditions. Its fuel economy was modest, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The Passport excelled in off-road scenarios, thanks to its torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and drive modes for different terrains. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering competitive cargo space with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. However, its avant-garde styling compromised interior space, creating a cramped and claustrophobic feel. Visibility was also limited, despite the 360-degree camera system. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical SUV with ample interior space and comfort. It offered generous legroom and headroom for four adults, with height-adjustable seatbelts and three LATCH connections for child seats. The Passport's cargo area was spacious, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions and easy-to-clean surfaces, making it ideal for families and road trips.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, offering high-quality graphics but slow response times. It included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration. The Velar also had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, although the tech was not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2020 Honda Passport came with a standard 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system on higher trims, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with responsive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering additional tech like a 10-speaker audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, but it offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options, although Land Rover's driver-assist tech was less sophisticated than some competitors.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a safety-focused SUV, 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 braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.