2021 INFINITI QX50 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, leading some to dub it the "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout mirrored 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, a power moonroof, and advanced navigation systems.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and innovative VC-Turbo engine. Its large honeycomb grille and athletic hood gave it a sporty appearance, while the panoramic moonroof added an airy feel to the cabin. The interior featured soft-touch materials, aluminum trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The QX50's design included unique elements like a crooked chrome strip at the rear, adding character. However, thick B-pillars and a short rear window slightly hindered visibility.

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 both front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the ride quality balanced comfort with refined handling. The Passport's AWD model featured Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The QX50's VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for optimal power and efficiency. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The QX50's drive mode selector offered Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal modes, with Sport mode enhancing responsiveness. The CVT provided a smooth driving experience, though some drivers might find the simulated shift points less engaging.

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 of under-floor storage was available. 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 INFINITI QX50 felt spacious inside, with plenty of hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The QX50 also featured numerous storage bins, cupholders, and charging options, including USB ports and a 12-volt charging port.

For 2021, the Honda Passport included standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While these features were a welcome addition, the infotainment system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout were drawbacks. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, and the lack of a tuning dial was noticeable.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured the InTouch infotainment system with dual display screens—an 8-inch upper LCD and a 7-inch lower color unit. Standard on Essential and higher trims, the system included voice recognition, navigation, and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound quality. The QX50 also came with ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system, on all but the base trim.

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, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. 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 INFINITI QX50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Additional features included lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The QX50 received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS for crash protection, along with a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.