2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, trading three rows of seats for just two. This design similarity was immediately apparent, earning it a justified nickname: the Pilot Sport.

Inside, the Passport mimicked the Pilot with an almost identical dashboard layout, which included Honda’s sometimes controversial “button shifter” design rather than a traditional lever. Nevertheless, the Passport boasted a spacious and well-appointed interior, filled with high-quality materials.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport ranged from Sport to Elite. The entry-level Sport featured 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, a seven-speaker audio system, and a one-touch fold-down rear bench. The EX-L trim added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, power rear liftgate, walk-away auto-locking, and tilt-down mirrors in reverse, alongside upgraded power-adjustable front seats. The Touring trim further introduced front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, a 115-volt power outlet, a premium stereo system, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. The Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and wireless device charging.

Contrast this with the 2022 Acura RDX, where styling changes were subtle yet influenced by the larger MDX model. It showcased updated grille surrounds, front and rear bumper styles, and refreshed wheel designs. Among the most notable was the limited-production PMC Edition, with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior, constructed at Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.

The RDX lineup included the base model, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance trims. Our test vehicle, the A-Spec Advance, featured Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, bringing the total price to $53,645 including destination.

The RDX carried forward Acura’s reputation for high-quality interior finishes. The A-Spec Advance trim featured unique vertical air inlets on the front fascia, although opinions on this design varied. Still, the RDX exhibited a stylish flair that set it apart in a crowded segment.

The 2021 Honda Passport was powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in FWD and AWD, the Passport offered strong acceleration and well-managed power. A notable ride height gave the AWD variant 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management for various terrains. FWD models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, with AWD versions capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds. The Passport provided a balanced mix of comfort and handling, optimized for both daily commuting and weekend adventures.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX employed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided quick turbo spool and enjoyable thrust, though heavy-footed driving significantly reduced fuel efficiency from the EPA estimation of 23 mpg to our observed 20.6 mpg. The 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters enhanced driving pleasure, though sound-deadening measures sometimes muted their effectiveness.

The base, Technology, and A-Spec packages came with standard FWD, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims featured Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring system could route up to 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel, demonstrating its agility on winding roads. Revisions for 2022 included improvements to the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and the adaptive-damping suspension for a refined ride in Comfort mode and heightened responsiveness in Sport mode.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in interior space and cargo capacity. When the rear seats were folded, the Passport offered an impressive 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space, reducing to 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. Higher trims like the EX-L included a power liftgate, while Touring and Elite trims provided hands-free operation. Visibility was excellent, thanks to an upright seating position, and the center console featured practical storage solutions. The rear seats were both spacious and adjustable, offering significant headroom and legroom.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though compact, managed to offer ample space for four adults and their luggage, all beneath a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior was designed for a sporty feel, dominated by the oversized IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard.

However, a learning curve was required for the RDX's control layout, including the transmission buttons, switches, and the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. Despite these quirks, the front seats were 12-way power adjustable, heated, and optionally ventilated. The redesigned steering wheel, available in a heated version, along with dual-zone climate control and Iconic Drive ambient lighting, added to the luxury feel.

Unfortunately, the rear seats of the RDX were less comfortable. Lacking in support, they seemed designed more for creating a flat cargo floor when folded. This setup might discomfort adults but would likely be unremarkable for children. Heated rear seat cushions were available on specific trims. The RDX also featured a standard power liftgate with hands-free operation, opening to 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet when the back seats were folded, with additional storage beneath the load floor.

The 2021 Honda Passport made strides by including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features through an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite this advancement, the system suffered from dated graphics, a labyrinthine menu layout, and an awkwardly designed volume dial.

In comparison, the 2022 Acura RDX featured a more complex True Touchpad Interface (TTI) system that paired a 10.2-inch display with a two-part touchpad controller. This setup required a learning curve due to its unique one-to-one finger-to-screen relationship, a stark deviation from conventional touchscreens. Despite the initial complication, over time, users could acclimate to the TTI.

Additionally, the RDX incorporated Alexa Built-in for natural voice recognition, minimizing the need to interact with the TTI. The RDX also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a navigation system starting with the Technology package. Audio enthusiasts could appreciate the three-tier premium sound systems, culminating in an impressive ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system with 16 speakers available on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with numerous advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. It earned a strong safety reputation with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top “Good” scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, despite some lower ratings in specific areas.

The 2022 Acura RDX introduced several new safety elements, such as structural enhancements to improve side-impact protection and a rear seatbelt reminder system. Standard safety features under AcuraWatch included pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

In testing, AcuraWatch performed adequately but was still less refined than some competitors' systems, occasionally issuing false warnings and unnecessary corrections. Despite these issues, the RDX maintained a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.