2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, though this familiarity sometimes made it blend in with other BMW models. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a variety of trim options, including the sporty M Sport styling with body-color matched elements and high-gloss black accents. Wheel sizes ranged from 19 to 22 inches, depending on the trim. Inside, the X5's interior was a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it did suffer from an overuse of black plastic. The M Sport models added unique styling touches like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2021 Honda Passport, essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, offered a spacious and high-quality interior with a similar dash layout to its three-row sibling. The Passport's trim levels—Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite—each added progressively more features. The base Sport trim included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery and a power moonroof, while the Touring trim introduced front-and-rear parking sensors and a hands-free liftgate. The top-tier Elite trim featured heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Despite its similarities to the Pilot, the Passport stood out with its two-row configuration and ample interior space.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M boasted 600 hp, which increased to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were a mixed bag, with the xDrive45e's steering feeling disconnected at higher speeds. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15 mpg combined, while the xDrive45e achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the ride quality balanced comfort and handling well. The AWD model included Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, and offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The Passport's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds for FWD models and up to 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the air suspension allowed for vehicle height adjustment, aiding in loading cargo. Without the third row, the X5 offered ample cargo space, though the xDrive45e had slightly less due to the battery.

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

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features list included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once mastered.

The 2021 Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the inclusion of these features was a positive move, the infotainment system itself had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these drawbacks, the standardization of smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage over the Pilot.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda Passport came 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 earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights, child-seat anchor ease of use, and front crash prevention tech.