2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Honda Passport

Ford took a family-centric approach with its Explorer, part of a lineup that includes the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. The 2021 Ford Explorer projected a sporty aesthetic with a distinctive raked belt line, hinting at a consistent family design lineage known for its “E” starting names. Despite the similarities to the Edge, the Explorer's exterior was refreshingly unique among other brands, featuring a variety of grille options depending on the trim, from black to chrome with additional styling accents. The Explorer offered six trims: base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730, and the look and comfort improved progressively with each tier.

Inside, all trims of the Explorer provided three rows of seating. Although the base model's cloth seats were comfortable, adults wouldn't find the third row suitable for long periods. The interior layout was kept clean with a recognizable dashboard design and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen as the centerpiece. The center console was well-organized, featuring a rotary gearshift, ample storage areas, and user-friendly controls. Most buyers leaned towards the XLT trim for its umpteen offerings, while higher trims like the Limited brought luxury enhancements such as leather upholstery, which was standard on ST, Platinum, Timberline, and King Ranch trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a two-row version of the Pilot, evoking a sporty appearance akin to a "Pilot Sport." Externally, the Passport spotlighted similar design cues, but with a slightly more compact silhouette. Internally, the Passport's cabin mirrored that of the Pilot, featuring a familiar dashboard layout and Honda's less conventional “button shifter” for the automatic transmission. Despite this design choice, the Passport was spacious and rich in high-quality materials.

The Passport came in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims. The base model included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and tri-zone climate control, with progressive upgrades through the trims, such as leather upholstery and power features in the EX-L, additional tech and convenience features in the Touring, and luxurious appointments like heated and ventilated seats in the Elite trim. Honda’s Passport optioned fewer packages compared to the Ford, focusing on trim-specific inclusions.

At its lightest, the 2021 Ford Explorer weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine managed to deliver a robust 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, competitively surpassing some rival engines like the Kia Telluride's V6. The Explorer's 10-speed automatic transmission, equipped with SelectShift capability, was uniform across all trims.

The Explorer’s Limited Hybrid trim increased performance with a V6 hybrid drivetrain producing 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims were powered by a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, offering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft torque in standard trims, while the ST trim amplified this to 400 hp and a substantial 415 lb-ft torque for a sportier drive. Towing capacity ranged between 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it apt for substantial towing needs but still fell behind SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition for maximum towing performance.

Conversely, every 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. With front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and optional all-wheel drive (AWD), the Passport boasted solid acceleration and well-managed power delivery. Although the engine's stop-start system was occasionally abrupt, it could be deactivated if needed. The Passport excelled in blending ride comfort and refined handling, offering 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management for varying off-road conditions with the AWD models. Towing capacity with FWD was capped at 3,500 pounds, while AWD managed a respectable 5,000 pounds, slightly less impressive compared to some competitors but adequate for moderate towing.

The base 2021 Ford Explorer catered to the seven-seat market; however, trims with captain’s chairs in the second row reduced the seating capacity to six. With 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, the Explorer fared better than some, but was not the leader in its class. Its real strength was in accommodating cargo: with the third row in use, it still offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the second and third rows expanded the total cargo capacity to 81 cubic feet, which paled in comparison to some smaller SUVs like the Dodge Journey.

The 2021 Honda Passport, meanwhile, offered a competitive edge with more cargo space. With the rear seats folded, it provided a cavernous 100.8 cubic feet, and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The upright seating position ensured fantastic visibility and plentiful headroom and legroom for occupants. Convenience features such as a power liftgate in the EX-L and hands-free operation in the Touring and Elite trims further enhanced its practicality.

The 2021 Ford Explorer included substantial tech features even at the base level. An 8-inch touchscreen offered AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 system, and a six-speaker audio setup. Higher trims upgraded the infotainment experience: Limited trims added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, with additional enhancements like a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 14-speaker B&O system on upper trims. Connectivity was well accommodated with numerous USB ports and 12-volt power points across the cabin. A wireless charging pad became standard from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2021 Honda Passport made significant strides by standardizing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across all trims, ensuring better smartphone integration with its new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, Honda's infotainment faced criticism for dated graphics, confusing menus, and an ergonomically awkward volume dial, albeit still appreciated for its inclusion.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating with top marks in all crash tests. Standard safety features under Ford Co-Pilot360 included auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Ford’s higher trims, particularly those equipped with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, provided further advancements like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

Similarly, the 2021 Honda Passport was a strong contender in safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, despite a few "Acceptable" ratings in some areas. The Passport included advanced safety features as standard, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, with optional assists like blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors.