2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sleek crossover SUV that encapsulated Audi's design ethos, yet had its own unique character within the brand's lineup. The Q5 had an expressive front with LED headlights that squinted beside the prominent Audi Singleframe grille, filled with horizontal elements emphasizing its width. Crisp character lines embellished the body, while the greenhouse resembled a protective shell. The rear was adorned with bold, large taillights, contributing to a classy and contemporary appearance with exceptional fit and finish throughout. The plug-in hybrid version, the Q5 PHEV, stood out with S-Line trim pieces, standard 19-inch wheels, and optional 20-inch wheels, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

Inside the Q5, the ambiance was similarly sophisticated and modern. It was packed with technology but maintained an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped by function, resulting in a very pleasing unity of design. High-quality materials like real wood, metal, and finely honed surfaces were thoughtfully selected and seamlessly integrated. A 10.1-inch touchscreen floated atop the center stack, ideally positioned in the driver's line of sight. The second row also enjoyed premium treatments, with standard leather seating surfaces.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats. The resemblance between the two SUVs was immediately apparent, earning the Passport the nickname "Pilot Sport" due to the visual and structural similarities. Inside, the Passport’s dashboard mirrored that of the Pilot, which included Honda's somewhat awkward “button shifter” design instead of a traditional automatic transmission lever.

Despite these design choices, the Passport’s interior was spacious and utilized high-quality materials. Available in trims such as Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, the entry-level Sport featured amenities like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L trim added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, a power liftgate, and auto-locking side mirrors.

Further up the range, the Passport Touring trim included enhancements such as parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, an upgraded audio system, and an in-car WiFi hotspot. At the top, the Elite trim offered luxury features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV significantly enhanced the already enjoyable gasoline-only Q5 (badged as Q5 45) by adding 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque, thanks to its 14.1-kWh battery. This boosted the total combined output to 362 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque, a robust match for its curb weight of 4,665 pounds. The electric motor worked in tandem with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine to deliver impressive acceleration (0–60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and commendable fuel efficiency (65 MPGe combined). The gasoline-only mode offered 27 mpg combined, and the battery could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with a Level 2 charger.

The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission and full-time Quattro all-wheel drive. It could switch between driving modes to use available battery power exclusively, reserve it for later, or run in hybrid mode. The speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering provided a tighter turning radius of 38.4 feet, and the four-wheel independent suspension, with five-link setups front and rear, offered a balance of sporty handling and comfort, with minimal body roll and reliable braking.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Passport came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport was available with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). It offered strong acceleration and smooth power management, though the engine's stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport had an 8.1-inch ground clearance and an AWD model with Intelligent Traction Management, featuring Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. For towing, FWD Passports could pull up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could handle up to 5,000 pounds.

The compact crossover segment, as exemplified by the 2021 Audi Q5, had exploded in popularity due to its balanced size. The Q5 PHEV cleverly stored its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet behind the second row, extending to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. Rear legroom was a comfortable 37.8 inches, along with 37.7 inches of headroom and 56.5 inches of shoulder room. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, featuring heating and ventilation on the Prestige trim. Storage solutions included cupholders, cubbies, and a small center-console bin.

On the other hand, the 2021 Honda Passport boasted larger cargo capacities. With the rear seats folded, it provided a substantial 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space, while with the second row in use, it offered 50.5 cubic feet. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of storage was available in an under-floor tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, and the Touring and Elite trims added a hands-free power option.

The Passport's upright seating position enhanced visibility and provided a commanding road view. The center console featured a deep storage bin and an open tray below the shifter and cupholders. Door pockets in both rows were deep enough to accommodate water bottles and other items. The rear seats offered substantial headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding features for added comfort.

The Q5 PHEV was equipped with Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus featured a 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster with customizable views. When combined with adjustable ambient LED cabin lights, the Q5 offered a highly personalized and futuristic interior environment. Navigation was part of the Prestige package and available on the Premium Plus trim. The integrated toll module (ITM) was a notable addition, compatible with most toll services in the U.S.

A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included, enhancing connectivity.

In the 2021 Honda Passport, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became standard across all trims, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this move improved smartphone connectivity, the infotainment system still lagged behind with dated graphics, a complex menu layout, and an awkward volume dial. Despite these drawbacks, including such features was a significant advantage over the Pilot, which required higher trims for similar functionality.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS at the time, but the 2020 gasoline model received top “good” ratings in most categories, except for a “marginal” rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features in the Q5 included six airbags, ABS with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control with off-road mode, and more. Available driver-assistance features encompassed advanced key access, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2021 Honda Passport was well-equipped with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Available options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The NHTSA awarded the Passport an impressive five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it predominantly “Good” scores, with “Acceptable” ratings in specific categories such as headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.