2021 Honda Passport vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style and functionality, positioned between the sleek Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a distinct profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious yet cockpit-like feel, with a focus on a more immersive driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, offering two rows of seats instead of three. Its styling closely mirrored that of the Pilot, both inside and out, with a similar dash layout and the same "button shifter" design. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport provided a spacious interior with high-quality materials. The trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems. The Passport's interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage and a focus on comfort and convenience for both driver and passengers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a significant shift in performance with the introduction of a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads, limiting its agility in corners. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although its single-speed transfer case and road-focused tires limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the Passport offered strong acceleration and smooth power delivery. Its ride was optimized for comfort and handling, making it suitable for daily commutes and weekend adventures. The Passport's AWD model featured Intelligent Traction Management with drive modes for various terrains, and it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. While not designed for extreme off-roading, the Passport provided a balanced blend of performance and practicality for most drivers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar did not offer more interior space, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. Towing capacity varied by engine, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in interior space, offering up to 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with them in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of storage was available in an under-floor tray. The Passport's upright seating position provided excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including deep center bins and in-door pockets. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. The system included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While the graphics and menu layout were praised, the system's slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though they were prone to glare.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a step forward, the system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout were noted as areas for improvement. The inclusion of a volume dial was appreciated, though the overall audio interface lacked a tuning dial, highlighting the need for further refinement in Honda's infotainment offerings.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as luxury vehicles like the Velar were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids, with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available as options. The Velar's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with limited standard features.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.