2022 Honda Odyssey 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, both externally and internally. The Passport’s dashboard layout was nearly identical to the Pilot’s, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport came with features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, and tri-zone climate control. The EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a power rear liftgate. The Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and a WiFi hotspot. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was often recommended for families due to its practical features. The sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, and the third-row seat was comfortable enough for adults. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, with the ability to fold the third-row seat down and remove the second-row seats for maximum storage.

The Odyssey’s design included kinked sliding doors and dramatic hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The lineup also included the base LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770. The EX-L trim and above featured leather upholstery and high-quality materials. The interior had a low console between the front seats and plenty of storage space, with commonly used stereo and climate functions located near the infotainment system’s display.

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 standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The Passport’s ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey also featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. It had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill drives caused pedal vibration and an audible grumble. Despite this, the Odyssey was quick when merging onto freeways, responsive around corners, and composed on mountain roads.

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 was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey made entry easy with wide-opening doors and a lower seating position. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous places to stash items. The second-row seats were comfortable, with plenty of legroom and a fold-down center section for cupholders. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim, it included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services, including WiFi hotspot access. The Touring and Elite trims also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology. The rear-seat entertainment system, standard on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch display, HDMI inputs, and a USB port. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the infotainment system’s 8-inch touchscreen felt small, and the embedded navigation system was less user-friendly than smartphone-based options.

The 2021 Honda Passport came 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" scores in most crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking ill-advised actions. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.