2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. Its design closely mirrored that of the Pilot, earning it the nickname "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout was nearly identical to the Pilot's, sharing the same awkward "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. It offered various trim levels, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained a similar appearance to its gas-only counterparts, with subtle distinctions like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. The interior featured unique instrumentation to display battery charge status and power distribution. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Touring trim, in particular, offered luxurious touches like ivory leather and a premium sound system. However, the CR-V Hybrid's interior suffered from the presence of fake wood trim, which detracted from its overall aesthetic.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, providing strong acceleration and refined handling. The Passport's ride was optimized for comfort and weekend adventures, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management for various terrains. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds with FWD and 5,000 pounds with AWD.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda's two-motor hybrid technology, combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—along with driver-selected modes like Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight improved weight distribution and maintained 8.2 inches of ground clearance. While it provided a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, its real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations, achieving 33.7 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 38 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered impressive cargo space, with 100.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. It featured an additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the interior boasted deep storage bins and door pockets. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities for added comfort.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space, providing supportive front seats with 12-way power adjustment and heated options. The rear seat room was remarkable, offering cross-your-legs levels of space and a flat floor for accommodating three passengers. Interior storage was impressive, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger occupied significant console space. Cargo space measured 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

For 2021, the Honda Passport featured standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, integrated into an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While these additions were a step forward, the system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout left room for improvement. The lack of a tuning dial further hindered the user experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, appeared modern but performed sluggishly. The 7-inch touchscreen lacked a tuning knob, and the voice-recognition technology struggled with natural commands. While the Touring trim offered a nine-speaker premium audio system, the overall infotainment experience was underwhelming, with slow startup times and cluttered navigation displays.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it earned "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it lacked some advanced safety features found in competitors.