2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban had a polarizing front-end design, borrowing heavily from the Camaro's design language. This resulted in small headlights and large, busy grilles that didn't favor the Suburban's massive frame. Despite the aggressive exterior, the interior remained familiar with controls in their usual places, making it user-friendly. The Suburban offered various trims, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, each adding more features and comfort. The High Country trim, in particular, included upscale elements like a panoramic sunroof and a rear-seat media system, though it lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Honda Passport, essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, shared many design elements with its larger sibling. The interior layout was nearly identical, featuring Honda's awkward button shifter. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious and high-quality interior. Trim levels ranged from the base Sport to the top-tier Elite, each adding more features like leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced safety features. The Passport's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with plenty of storage options and a commanding view of the road.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engines, including a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Suburban could tow up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering package. Our test model featured the newly available Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six generating 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The diesel engine provided excellent pickup and V8-level torque, making it suitable for both city driving and highway cruising. The Suburban's handling was a mix of truck-like capability and smooth ride quality, thanks to its independent rear suspension.

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 front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, making it ideal for both commuting and weekend adventures. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD's Intelligent Traction Management, the Passport could handle light off-road conditions. The FWD model could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the AWD model could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, 93.8 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly spacious. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, but the button shifter was a less intuitive departure. The power-sliding center console was a complex feature that added little value. Despite these quirks, the Suburban's sheer volume of passenger and cargo space was impressive.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided 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 added to its practicality. The EX-L trim and above featured a power liftgate, with the Touring and Elite trims offering a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console offered ample storage. The rear seats were spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom, and could both recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and a sensible layout, with a helpful home button. Optional features included a navigation system, a rear entertainment system with large touchscreens, and a head-up display with easy-to-read graphics.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a significant advantage, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these shortcomings, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity features was a welcome addition.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed owners to set speed and volume limitations for secondary keys. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options included a rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well-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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" scores in most crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights, child-seat anchor ease of use, and front crash prevention tech.