2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a more compact version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. Its exterior design closely mirrored that of the Pilot, leading some to consider it a sportier variant of its sibling. Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout was nearly identical to the Pilot's, sharing Honda's unique "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. It offered four trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each adding progressively more features, from leather upholstery and a power moonroof in the EX-L to heated and ventilated front seats in the Elite.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a luxury SUV that stood apart from its Ford Expedition roots. It exuded elegance and sophistication, with a design that included simple rectilinear shapes and tasteful chrome accents. The Navigator's interior was a testament to luxury, offering seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Black Label trims elevated the experience with even more textures and softer leather. The Navigator's Perfect Position seats were a highlight, offering 30 different adjustments for ultimate comfort. Despite its size, the Navigator managed to impress with its refined and plush cabin, making it a worthy contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped 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 and optional all-wheel drive, providing strong acceleration and a comfortable ride. The Passport's AWD model featured Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, and it could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive options. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial, with the ability to tow up to 8,700 pounds in the RWD model. While its fuel economy was less than stellar, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, making it a formidable choice for those seeking performance in a large SUV.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space 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 was designed with practicality in mind, offering deep center bins and in-door pockets for storage. The rear seats were spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and they could recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, with its boxy design, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. It could accommodate up to eight passengers, with power-folding third-row seats and manually-reclining second-row captain's chairs. The Navigator offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second, and a total of 103 cubic feet. The long-wheelbase Navigator L increased these figures significantly. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage functions, while the large windows and high driving position ensured excellent visibility.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, integrated into an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a step forward, the system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout left room for improvement. The inclusion of a volume dial was appreciated, though the lack of a tuning dial was noted.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. While the infotainment system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. Despite these shortcomings, the Navigator offered features like onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, along with a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming.

The 2021 Honda Passport was well-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 rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it had some "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator also received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in most tests. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional inflatable rear seat belts were a unique safety feature. However, the Navigator's adaptive cruise control was not as advanced as some competitors, lacking self-steering capabilities.