2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was marked by a few unique elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic features, but overall, it didn't stand out. The color palette offered eight options, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with more vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare finds at dealerships. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of black, gray, or ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its styling with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, giving it a more rugged and aggressive appearance. This design was applied across all three trim levels: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite, with the TrailSport trim adding off-road-inspired elements. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design touches like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The Passport's design aimed to appeal to those seeking a more adventurous look, though it was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, excluding the hybrid versions. It offered smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement found in competitors with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup, featuring a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, contributed to its decent handling and ride quality.

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. The Passport offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, with the latter being standard on TrailSport and Elite trims. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing the Passport's performance on twisty roads. The Passport delivered satisfying acceleration and athletic handling, though its brakes could become less confidence-inspiring on mountain descents. Despite its off-road appearance, the Passport excelled on regular roads, offering a firm and communicative ride.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with higher trims featuring power tailgates. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's design focused on accommodating five passengers comfortably while providing ample storage space.

The 2022 Honda Passport boasted a spacious interior with large, comfortable seats and standard leather upholstery. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and a slightly elevated seating position. The Passport offered 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Its interior design emphasized comfort and utility, with ample storage options and a power liftgate for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration on all trims except the base LX, which had a 5-inch screen. Higher trims offered enhanced audio systems, with the Touring trim including a 300-watt system and satellite navigation. Charging ports were plentiful, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The Passport's infotainment system was functional but could benefit from an upgrade, with some users preferring to use Apple CarPlay for navigation.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system as standard across all trims, offering advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Honda Passport also included the Honda Sensing suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some functions, like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist, were less refined, prompting some drivers to disable them. The Passport received five-star NHTSA ratings in most categories but fell short in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, except for an Acceptable rating in front-passenger protection during a small overlap collision.