2022 Honda Passport vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's design included tall fender wells and a tucked-in body, minimizing unnecessary adornments that could catch on obstacles. Its bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with a focus on functionality and convenience, including an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's styling aimed for a tougher look, with a new nose that added attitude. It was available in three trim levels: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite, each with unique wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, introduced in 2022, targeted off-road enthusiasts with standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management modes. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious and comfortable cabin with quality materials, orange contrast stitching, and ample storage options. The rear seats provided generous legroom and a slightly elevated seating position, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models were equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, making it a versatile choice for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive on the EX-L trim, while the TrailSport and Elite trims came with Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system. The Passport's V6 engine provided smooth and satisfying acceleration, and the SUV delivered a firm, communicative ride with athletic handling. However, its off-road capabilities were limited compared to more rugged competitors. The Passport excelled on paved roads, offering a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, but its brakes could become less confidence-inspiring during mountain descents.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features like a cargo space designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The interior featured ample storage compartments, but taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Honda Passport boasted a spacious interior with large, comfortable seats and standard leather upholstery. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and a slightly elevated seating position, enhancing comfort. The Passport offered generous cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Its interior storage options were plentiful, making it a practical choice for families and road trips.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system provided various drive modes, enhancing off-road performance. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system's interface was straightforward, but the navigation system was less user-friendly. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's technology offerings were not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All models featured all-wheel drive and a terrain management system for enhanced safety. However, crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2022 Honda Passport included the Honda Sensing suite, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and a rear-seat reminder system. While effective, some driver-assist functions were less refined, leading drivers to disable them. The Passport received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell slightly short in certain areas.