2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 visually identical to that of the Pilot, 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 ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced navigation systems.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. The Tucson’s front featured Hyundai’s new parametric grille, hiding LED daytime running lights and Bi-LED headlights. Its side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra’s design, while the rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels. High-end trims included premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats and available leather-trimmed seats on higher trims.

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 front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard 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 Intelligent Traction Management for AWD models. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making it more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson Hybrid was also more fuel-efficient, with an estimated 37 mpg combined. AWD was standard on the hybrid and optional on ICE models. The Tucson PHEV, with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery, was expected to offer around 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided 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 offered excellent visibility, and the center console featured a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson’s new platform made it more spacious than ever, with more room for passengers and cargo. The cabin featured a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated and ventilated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat were also available. The rear seats offered two inches more legroom than the Toyota RAV4, and the cargo area provided 74.8 cubic feet of space. A 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor were standard, with a hands-free liftgate available on mid-grade models and up.

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. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity features was a significant advantage.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and a fully digital instrument cluster. However, the larger screen required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchpoints on the center console were flat and difficult to use while driving, making steering wheel controls and voice commands more critical.

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, 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 in most IIHS crash tests, though it only managed "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it came with the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai also offered a comprehensive warranty package, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.