2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, both externally and internally. The Passport’s dash layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced navigation systems.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was the epitome of luxury within the Expedition lineup, which started with the XL STX and included the XLT, Limited, and King Ranch trims. The Platinum trim featured Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package. Despite its plush and roomy interior, the Expedition struggled to accommodate six passengers and their luggage simultaneously. The Expedition’s design included a chrome grille, 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and brightwork, making it a visually striking vehicle. However, the regular-length model’s cargo space was limited, highlighting the utility of the extended-length Expedition MAX.

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. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Passport’s ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management for AWD models. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition’s ride quality was affected by its 22-inch wheels, but it remained stable due to its four-wheel independent suspension. The FX4 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, but our test vehicle did not include this option, resulting in an average fuel economy of 17.1 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 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 was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured 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.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for every passenger, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage for odds and ends was plentiful. Cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and up to 104.6 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, despite its age, remained user-friendly. The 8-inch touchscreen display was small and sometimes slow to respond. Sync 3 included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Honda Passport came 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 and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with some "Acceptable" ratings for specific tests.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with its substantial curb weight, had a safety advantage. It earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover-resistance rating was lower. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, which offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous parking assistance system.