2020 Honda Passport vs 2020 Lexus RX

Lexus refreshed the RX for the 2020 model year, giving it significant updates inside and out. These weren’t just minor tweaks—they enhanced the SUV’s appearance to stand out in a crowded market. Despite its age, the 2020 RX maintained a stylish edge over other vehicles bearing a Toyota badge.

The exterior updates included standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and distinctive L-shaped taillights. An option for triple-beam LED headlights added flair. The grille received a redesign to resemble the brand’s car lineup, and two new paint colors, Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl, were introduced.

The rear of the vehicle saw a makeover with dual exhausts, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, giving it a fresh look. Lexus also introduced an available hands-free tailgate, enhancing convenience.

Inside, the RX’s cabin remained luxurious with various color and material combinations. Equipment packages offered wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport package added unique touches such as a special steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, bumpers, and 20-inch wheels, making it stand out further. Features like performance dampers, power-folding mirrors with memory, and LED ambient lighting elevated the driving experience.

The leather-wrapped surfaces conveyed a premium feel, maintaining a balance between luxury and durability suitable for family use. The center stack’s dated look, while functional, appeared less modern compared to evolving industry standards.

The 2020 Honda Passport was emblematic of Honda’s reliable design philosophy. Its exterior design struck a balance between the larger Honda Pilot and the more compact CR-V. With its rugged cues, the Passport projected a more athletic demeanor than its siblings.

Available in four trims (Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite), the Elite trim came fully loaded. Standard features included a scratch-resistant matte black grille, bumper, 20-inch black alloy wheels with all-weather tires, black-rimmed LED headlights, and chrome exhaust finishers.

It offered greater ground clearance compared to the Pilot—0.5 inch more for FWD models and 1.1 inches for AWD variants—making it more off-road capable.

Inside, the Passport exuded a blend of sophistication and durability. Shared design elements with the Honda Pilot, including heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and options like heated rear seats and a moonroof, ensured comfort. The design emphasized spaciousness, with practical layout choices suitable for Honda loyalists.

Lower trim levels offered optional Urban and Adventure packs, adding features such as crossbars and running boards. The Honda Sensing safety suite and navigation were available on the Touring grade.

All RX 350 models featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The three-row RX 350L’s power was slightly reduced to 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The transmission operated smoothly, enhancing driving ease.

The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, delivering 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, aided by a recommended 95 octane fuel. The RX 450hL, despite its extended form, maintained similar torque but had a lower gasoline engine output of 259 horsepower, supported by a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack and an electric motor for the front wheels, totaling 165 horsepower. AWD versions added another motor for the rear axle, contributing 67 more horsepower.

Achieving 0 to 60 mph in about 7.9 seconds, the RX was not exceptionally fast but adequate for most drivers. The RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the AWD RX 350 got 22 mpg combined. The RX hybrid models excelled in fuel economy, with the RX 450h AWD getting 30 mpg combined.

The F Sport models, particularly with the Handling Package, featured adaptive variable suspension and other agility-enhancing features. Various drive modes like Normal, Eco, and Sport, with additional EV mode for hybrids and Sport S+ mode for F Sport, allowed customization of the driving experience.

All Passport models were equipped with Honda’s robust 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. While not offering a hybrid option, the Passport’s engine provided ample power for various driving situations.

Front-wheel-drive models achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly less efficient at 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The 19.5-gallon fuel tank provided over 400 miles of range.

Tested in varied terrain from Fresno to Yosemite, the Passport’s performance remained steady even at high elevations. The Elite trim’s standard torque-vectoring AWD enhanced road grip, especially on challenging routes, directing up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear axle and entirely to either rear wheel if needed.

With Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes available, the Passport demonstrated surprising off-road capability. It managed well in muddy ruts, standing out for its versatile performance.

The Passport’s towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds with the towing package, outperforming rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The Lexus RX’s interior, though less minimalist than its German counterparts, provided a comfortable environment. The two-row configuration comfortably seated four adults, but its three-row RX-L version was best suited for small children in the third row.

The cabin’s width and height were adequate, making ingress and egress easy. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar slightly obstructed the driver’s view of curbs and corners.

The RX’s cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with a high load floor further compromising storage capacity. The three-row versions had even less cargo room, significantly trailing rivals like the Lincoln Aviator in rear storage.

The Honda Passport emphasized practicality. Sized between the CR-V and Pilot, it offered spacious seating for four adults, with excellent knee- and legroom. Unlike some competitors, it lacked a third-row seat, maintaining focus on a roomy two-row layout.

Height-adjustable seatbelts, ample LATCH connections, tri-zone climate control, and rear sunshades added to its appeal. The cloth upholstery standard felt durable, with perforated leather available.

Cargo storage excelled, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and substantial under-floor storage, surpassing most two-row SUVs. Though its load floor was high, it was expected given its elevated stance.

Small-item storage was well thought out, with a large center console and additional shelving in the front doors. Harder plastic surfaces eased cleaning, while piano black trim required regular dusting.

The Lexus RX’s infotainment system struggled with user-friendliness, even with improvements. The standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen were moved closer to the driver. However, navigating the system remained challenging.

Apple CarPlay integration addressed many of the system's flaws, making it more user-friendly. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Google Assistant, Spotify, Pandora, and other integrations, reducing dependency on the Lexus interface.

The touchpad system had improved responsiveness, though still awkward. The RX included six USB ports and an optional Mark Levinson audio system, with a standard 12-speaker system and a CD player.

The Passport’s technology highlights included a standard 5.0-inch display on the base model, with higher trims getting an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger display featured pinch, swipe, and tap functions, making it easy to use.

Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system were standard. Higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, additional USB ports, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Though the dashboard design appeared outdated, the practical functionality of the switchgear was reliable.

The RX earned good safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA, remaining competitive with other vehicles at a similar stage in their generational lifecycle.

The Honda Sensing suite included forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The higher trims offered features like dynamic rearview camera gridlines, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.