2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially in the A-Spec Package, was a visually appealing SUV. Without employing excessive blacked-out trims or conventional performance design elements, the RDX A-Spec managed to convey a sense of sportiness subtly and effectively. This aesthetic approach signaled performance without overpromising in terms of outright acceleration and handling. Acura chose not to market the RDX as an off-road vehicle, so there were no oversized skid plates, bulging fender flares, or other rugged embellishments. This vehicle was designed for daily commutes and road trips, not tough terrains.

In terms of pricing, the RDX had a starting base price of $38,200. The Technology Package increased the price to $41,100, while the A-Spec Package was available at $44,100. The top-tier Advance Package took the MSRP to $46,000. Additionally, Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was a $2,000 option. A fully equipped RDX A-Spec SH-AWD with optional Platinum White paint came to $47,625, inclusive of a $1,025 destination charge.

The interior of the A-Spec RDX was equally sporty, featuring front sport seats with simulated suede inserts and unique piping, a sport steering wheel, a black headliner, dark brushed aluminum trim, sport pedals, red exposed stitching, red ambient cabin lighting, and special gauges. Despite its sporty aesthetics, some elements, like the True Touchpad Interface, had mixed reviews. The gauge cluster with red markings on a brushed silver background was also a point of contention, as it was difficult to read during the day.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, offering two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident at first glance, making it feel almost like a Pilot Sport. The interior layout was virtually identical to the Pilot’s, with the same dashboard and awkward button shifter design for the automatic transmission.

The Passport had a spacious interior filled with high-quality materials. It was available in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, a seven-speaker audio system, and a one-touch fold-down rear bench. The EX-L trim added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, a power rear liftgate, walk-away auto-locking feature, and power-adjustable seats. Touring brought front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, a 115-volt power outlet, a 10-speaker stereo system, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. The range-topping Elite model added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 RPM to 4,500 RPM. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive was standard, but the SH-AWD system was a highly recommended upgrade, enhancing the driving experience by allowing up to 70% of engine output to be directed to the rear wheels, and then 100% of that share to either rear wheel. This feature made the RDX engaging to drive, especially with the Integrated Dynamics System offering Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes.

While the A-Spec model had visually aggressive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, it lacked the adaptive dampers found in the Advance Package. This meant it experienced more body motion on uneven roads. Additionally, the 10-speed transmission did not match revs in Sport or Sport+ mode, and there was no summer performance tire option.

On the flip side, the 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and was available with either front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power effectively. The ride was refined and comfortable, designed primarily for commuting and weekend adventures.

The Passport offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and, in the AWD model, included Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. For towing, the Passport could handle up to 3,500 pounds with FWD and up to 5,000 pounds with AWD. The 2021 model’s off-road capabilities were further enhanced in the upcoming TrailSport trim of 2022.

Despite being classified as a compact SUV, the 2021 Acura RDX provided ample passenger and cargo space, making it an excellent value proposition. The front seats were notably comfortable, with 12-way power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and good lateral support in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort suffered due to the design aimed at maximizing utility, resulting in a lack of leg support and an overly reclined seatback angle.

Cargo space behind the rear seats measured 29.5 cubic feet, with additional under-floor storage. Folding the rear seats expanded the space to 58.9 cubic feet, and up to 79.8 cubic feet if measured all the way to the front seats. This latter figure, often used for comparison with competitors, wasn’t entirely practical.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use and expanding to a class-leading 100.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of storage was available in an under-floor tray. Higher trims added convenient features like a power liftgate (EX-L) and hands-free power liftgate (Touring and Elite). The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and both front and rear seats had large in-door pockets for storage. The rear seats also offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for infotainment, which used a touch-sensing pad instead of a touchscreen. This system mirrored the screen layout but required a learning curve to master and remained slightly distracting. Despite these quirks, the RDX included advanced technology options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a premium 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D audio system on the A-Spec trim.

Meanwhile, Honda advanced the 2021 Passport’s tech game by making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, paired with a newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite the upgrade, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a rather uninspired volume dial.

Acura equipped the 2021 RDX with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned top safety ratings, achieving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.

The 2021 Honda Passport also came with a robust set of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors were available as options. The Passport earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and top scores from IIHS, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for passenger-side small overlap front crash tests, headlights, and child-seat anchor ease of use, as well as an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention tech.