2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

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 dub it the "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. 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.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling changes, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia updates. It maintained a car-based crossover appearance, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. The Equinox's dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center. While materials and fit were decent, the RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels for a sportier look. However, the black interior was considered too subdued. The Equinox's design aimed for a balance between car-like and SUV-like aesthetics.

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 standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling. The Passport's AWD model featured Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. It had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds for FWD and 5,000 pounds for AWD.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard FWD and optional AWD. While the Equinox had more torque than some rivals, it lacked horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving but felt coarse at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough. The Equinox prioritized comfort over sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors.

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 EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims had 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 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom in both rows. However, front seat legroom was slightly lacking compared to some competitors. The Equinox offered a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. The climate control buttons were prominently placed, and the cargo space measured 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked some cargo features found in rivals.

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 had dated graphics and a confusing menu layout. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, and the audio interface lacked a tuning dial.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good graphics. The addition of wireless smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage, though the center-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2021 Honda Passport was 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 safety rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it had "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but had a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.