2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The test car featured the SL trim, front-drive, the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, totaling $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge. Despite its age, the Rogue remained attractive with its bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior design showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The padded center console sides were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

The 2021 Honda Passport, essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featured two rows of seats instead of three. The styling similarities between the Passport and Pilot were evident both inside and out. The Passport's dash layout mirrored that of the Pilot, including the awkward "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials. Trim levels included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each offering progressively more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, hands-free liftgate, and advanced audio systems. The Passport's interior was both functional and comfortable, making it a versatile choice for various needs.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with a single engine option: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Weighing up to 3,671 pounds, the Rogue's powertrain was merely adequate. While the CVT made the most of the available power, the Rogue struggled during freeway acceleration, passing, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 29 mpg for FWD versions, but real-world testing yielded only 24.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the overall driving experience was lackluster due to lifeless steering and occasional CVT drone.

The 2021 Honda Passport featured a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Passport offered strong acceleration and well-managed power. The ride quality struck a balance between comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The Passport's towing capacity was impressive, with FWD models capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds and AWD models up to 5,000 pounds. The Passport's performance was well-suited for both daily commuting and weekend adventures.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior space was a mixed bag. While the seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushion designs and Quick Comfort heating, finding a comfortable driving position was challenging for taller drivers. The back seat, however, offered excellent comfort with high seat cushions, good thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. The panoramic glass sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports made the rear seats a pleasant place to be. Cargo space was a strong point, with 39 cubic feet behind the back seat and additional underfloor storage compartments, along with the standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in interior space and functionality. With the rear seats folded, it provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage added to its practicality. The EX-L trim and above featured a power liftgate, with hands-free operation on the Touring and Elite trims. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility, and the center console provided ample storage with a deep center bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats were spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom, and the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Depending on the trim level, upgrades included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. These services offered features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote engine start, and more, with varying free trial periods. However, the NissanConnect interface was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen that was slow to respond and difficult to use, particularly when zooming the navigation map or using voice recognition.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This was a significant advantage over the Pilot, which required a higher trim level for these features. Despite the inclusion of these smartphone connectivity options, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. The lack of a tuning dial further detracted from the user experience, making the system less intuitive than it could have been.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Safety Shield 360 suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert. Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. Despite these features, the Rogue's safety ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and subpar ratings from the IIHS, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2021 Honda Passport was well-equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests. However, it received "Acceptable" ratings for the passenger-side small overlap front crash test, headlights, and child-seat anchor ease of use, along with an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention technology.