2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was a distinctive SUV that generated a lot of appeal with its muscular aesthetics and spacious interior. Essentially a shortened version of the Honda Pilot, it featured two rows of seats instead of three, earning it the nickname "Pilot Sport" among enthusiasts. The interior dashboard layout of the Passport was virtually identical to the Pilot, inclusive of Honda’s controversial “button shifter” design, replacing the conventional gear lever with a series of push buttons. Despite this divisive feature, the cabin offered high-quality materials throughout, resulting in a sophisticated feel.

Trim levels in the Passport — Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite — catered to a range of buyers. The entry-level Sport included features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and push-button start. Climbing up the range to the EX-L brought in leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a power rear liftgate. The Touring trim added front-and-rear parking sensors and a hands-free liftgate, while the top-tier Elite came with features like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

On the other hand, the 2021 Honda CR-V adopted a more uniform, albeit somewhat nondescript design synonymous with compact crossovers. Its design included some distinguishing touches like a uniquely shaped grille and subtle chromed plastic features, yet it generally blended into the compact crossover crowd. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though the vibrancy was reserved for higher trims.

The cabin of the CR-V aimed for practicality and comfort, offering choices between black, gray, and ivory upholstery, dependent on the trim. Higher trims enhanced the interior with wood panels and additional chrome accents. While competitive models like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson provided distinctive styling even at mid-tier trims, the CR-V bet on its conservative design's broad appeal.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Honda Passport boasted a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, churning out 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. With standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and an optional all-wheel drive (AWD) system, the Passport offered capabilities suited for both daily commuting and occasional off-road ventures. The AWD model's Intelligent Traction Management System catered to varied terrains with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. Additionally, the Passport sported a respectable ground clearance of 8.1 inches and an impressive towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with AWD.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, in contrast, came equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower. Its power delivery, managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT), was designed for smooth acceleration rather than exhilarating speed. While its 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds wasn’t particularly quick, it was competitive among other compact crossovers. Like the Passport, the CR-V offered FWD as standard, with AWD available at an added cost. The CR-V’s suspension setup—MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear—was typical for the class and provided reliable, predictable handling.

The Passport excelled in interior space and cargo capacity. With the rear seats folded, it offered a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo volume, while maintaining up to 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. Additional storage included an under-floor tray providing an extra 2.5 cubic feet. The Passport’s upright seating position not only ensured excellent visibility but also contributed to a comfortable drive experience. Both front and rear seats featured deep in-door pockets, enhancing utility.

The CR-V was designed to accommodate five passengers comfortably, alongside their cargo. It featured a notable 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, outperforming the Toyota RAV4. When it came to cargo space, the CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, comfortably accommodating a large amount of luggage. Tailgate functionality varied by trim, with the EX-L and Touring trims offering power and hands-free options respectively. However, roof rails for additional cargo stood exclusive to the top-tier Touring trim, limiting the practicality of lower trims for load-carrying beyond the interior.

In the technology department, the Passport made a leap with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard across all trims. Despite these welcome additions, the infotainment system left something to be desired with its dated graphics and somewhat confusing menu layout. The controls, particularly the volume dial, were often critiqued for their lack of intuitive design.

The base CR-V LX’s technology was basic, featuring just a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims from Special Edition onwards included a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio experience ranged from a 180-watt six-speaker system in the Special Edition and EX to an upgraded 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim. The CR-V also featured multiple charging ports across all but the base trim, with the Touring trim offering a wireless phone charger for added convenience.

The Passport was well-equipped with advanced safety features. Standard on all trims were automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were available. The Passport achieved a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests. However, its headlight performance and child-seat anchor ease of use were rated as "Acceptable."

The CR-V excelled in safety, earning both a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Its Honda Sensing suite, standard across all trims, included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. A multi-angle rearview camera and auto high-beam headlamps were also standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were added from the EX trim upwards. Despite these strengths, the CR-V received "Acceptable" scores for headlight performance and the LATCH system's ease of use.