2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, a significant improvement over the original Encore, which had been humorously nicknamed “the shoe” by GM insiders. The Encore GX came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring (ST) package available for all trims. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines on offer. The 1.2-liter engine was exclusive to FWD, while the 1.3-liter engine was available with both FWD and AWD. Pricing ranged from $24,200 to $30,600, with our test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine and several upgrades, totaling $35,065.

Despite its attractive exterior, the Encore GX’s interior had some drawbacks. The analog gauges were hard to read, and the head-up display (HUD) vibrated on anything but smooth pavement. Additionally, the fuel gauge indicator lights were difficult to see in direct sunlight. These issues detracted from the overall refinement expected at its price point, even though Buick offered significant discounts and lease deals to make the vehicle more appealing.

The 2021 Honda Passport, essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featured a similar design both inside and out. The Passport’s interior was spacious and used high-quality materials, but it shared the Pilot’s awkward “button shifter” design for the automatic transmission. The Passport came in four trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The base Sport trim included features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and tri-zone climate control. The EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and more power-adjustable seats. The Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and an upgraded stereo system, while the Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine was available with both FWD and AWD, but the FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), whereas the AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the turbocharging, the Encore GX’s performance was described as adequate, with a ride quality that felt brittle over poorly maintained roads and too soft over speed humps. The vehicle averaged 28.2 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA estimate.

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 strong acceleration and a well-managed power delivery. It featured standard FWD with optional AWD, which included Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The Passport’s ride quality was a blend of comfort and refined handling, making it suitable for both commuting and weekend adventures. The FWD models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX had supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating, but the rear seats were less comfortable, especially for taller passengers. The rear seat lacked thigh support and had an odd recline angle. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle included a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space 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 also available. The EX-L trim and higher included a power liftgate, with the Touring and Elite trims featuring a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle also included a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera. Despite these features, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response, impressive voice recognition, and user-friendly interface.

The 2021 Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across all trims, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity as standard was a significant advantage.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, and adaptive cruise control was available. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had not been tested by the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda Passport was 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, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.