2020 Honda Passport vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, and a more aggressive chin spoiler, all complemented by 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint, paired with a beige-leather and aluminum interior, added a touch of elegance. The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with options like matte wood trim, wool fabric seats, and leather-wrapped details. The seats were designed for long-distance comfort, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage features. The rear seats, available as a bench or captain's chairs, were nearly as comfortable as the front. The cabin was filled with padded materials for both quality and safety, and finer details like the Swedish flag tag and twist-action ignition knob highlighted the attention to detail.

The 2020 Honda Passport, while not as visually striking as the XC90, had a rugged and athletic exterior that set it apart from the Honda Pilot and CR-V. The Elite trim came loaded with features like a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, black-rimmed LED headlights, chrome exhaust finishers, and gloss-black trim. The additional ground clearance gave the Passport a more off-road-ready appearance. Inside, the Passport's cabin was a mix of hard-wearing and soft-to-the-touch materials, with perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats. The design emphasized spaciousness, with a button-heavy shifting mechanism that took up minimal space. The Passport's interior was practical and comfortable, with features like tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades adding to its appeal.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added to the turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined for its price range. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but its added weight negated the speed benefits, and its fuel economy was only slightly better at 27 mpg combined. The XC90's handling was comfortable but not sporty, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2020 Honda Passport came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine provided sufficient power for various driving situations, but its fuel economy was less impressive. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Passport performed well in various conditions, including high elevations and off-road trails. The torque-vectoring AWD system provided a planted feel on the road, and the Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous versions, but it still had some quirks. The system housed all climate controls within the touchscreen, with only a few physical buttons for defrosters, volume, and seek controls. The cabin layout was otherwise stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on the T6 and T8 powertrains but not on the R-Design model. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and best suited for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded.

The 2020 Honda Passport was practical and right-sized, offering good visibility and spacious seats for four adults. The Passport did not offer a third row, but it featured height-adjustable seatbelts for front-row occupants and three full LATCH connections in the second row. The seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery standard and perforated leather available. The tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades added to passenger comfort. The Passport excelled in cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The load floor was high, but a power liftgate was standard. The Passport also had excellent small-item storage, with a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The system was accurate and smart, especially in lower-speed traffic. The R-Design model featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-resolution and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked the customization options of competitors. Volvo needed to improve the digital screen's configurability and show individual tire pressures in the TPMS sensors.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base Sport model came with a 5.0-inch display monitor, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The larger screen was responsive and easy to navigate, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, a seven-speaker audio system, push-button start, and keyless entry. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Passport's dashboard design was a bit outdated, but the switchgear was reliable and practical.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS, though its headlight test rating lowered it to a Top Safety Pick instead of a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system for the front seats.

The 2020 Honda Passport also achieved good safety scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. The Passport came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technology, including 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. While it lacked some of the fancier driver-assist technologies of competitors, the Passport's safety features were well-suited for most drivers.