2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Honda Passport had a unique position in the market as essentially a shortened version of the Honda Pilot, with two rows instead of three. Externally, the similarities between the two SUVs were unmistakable; styling cues were nearly identical, so much so that one could consider the Passport as a "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport mirrored the Pilot's interior, particularly the dash layout. However, both models shared Honda's controversial "button shifter" for the automatic transmission, which replaced the conventional lever. Despite this design choice, the Passport's cabin was roomy and utilized high-quality materials throughout. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, was a fresh take on Jeep's traditional design language, embodying the familiar yet modern Jeep DNA. Marketed as a two-row variant following the three-row Grand Cherokee L, it featured a variety of trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Grand Cherokee’s exterior design called back to the original 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, sleek headlights, and a sturdy, level beltline. Jeep also incorporated a black roof option and assured more paint colors soon. Inside, the Grand Cherokee maintained a similar layout to the Grand Cherokee L. Starting with the base Laredo offering basic but quality cloth interiors, and escalating to the luxurious Summit Reserve with premium quilted leather, heated and ventilated seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. The Grand Cherokee’s upper trims also used gloss black finishes on certain controls, which were less practical compared to the matte finishes on lower trims.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped exclusively 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 (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The V6 provided robust acceleration and smooth power delivery. Despite having a somewhat jarring stop-start system, a switch provided a way to disable it. The Passport balanced ride comfort and handling, boasting 8.1 inches of ground clearance and an AWD system equipped with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes. Towing capabilities were solid, with the FWD model managing up to 3,500 pounds and the AWD version up to 5,000 pounds. Jeep gave the 2022 Grand Cherokee a variety of powertrain options. Buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and had the choice of a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque or an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This resulted in towing capacities of 6,200 pounds with the V6 and 7,200 pounds with the V8. Jeep also announced a plug-in hybrid 4xe model later in the year. The Grand Cherokee featured three different 4WD systems, each tailored for varying degrees of off-road capability: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II. The Trailhawk trim, in particular, was a champion off-roader, equipped with a Quadra-Drive II system, a Quadra-Lift air suspension providing up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance, and numerous off-road enhancements.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity. With the rear seats folded down, it offered a generous 100.8 cubic feet of space, and with the seats up, it provided up to 50.5 cubic feet of cargo room. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was accessible through an under-floor storage tray. Starting at the EX-L trim, a power liftgate was included, progressing to a hands-free version on the Touring and Elite trims. The Passport’s seating configuration allowed for excellent visibility and utilized practical storage solutions, with deep in-door pockets and a spacious center console. In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Though less capacious than the Passport, the Grand Cherokee’s interior was designed with comfort and visibility in mind. Higher trims featured heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, along with a plethora of technological interfaces, including a panoramic sunroof that brightened the cabin. However, rear-seat room remained slightly restrictive for taller passengers, and cargo space was less than the three-row Grand Cherokee L, which maxed out at 84.6 cubic feet.

Honda made significant strides with the 2021 Passport, standardizing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across all trims, bundled with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, criticisms remained regarding the interface, as the graphics appeared outdated, and the menu system was convoluted. The volume dial, while appreciated, seemed like an afterthought, and there was a notable absence of a tuning dial. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee surged ahead in the technology arena. It boasted a suite of systems, including a comprehensive head-up display, Night Vision, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple touchscreens for infotainment. The Grand Cherokee adopted the Uconnect 5 system, available with an 8.4-inch or a 10.1-inch touchscreen, which was more responsive and offered continuous updates through over-the-air modifications. Features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, dual-screen rear-seat entertainment with Amazon Fire TV, and premium McIntosh audio were available. The system allowed for seamless device pairing, voice recognition, and advanced navigation.

The 2021 Honda Passport came fully equipped with an array of advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, options for blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors enhanced its safety profile. In NHTSA evaluations, it achieved an overall rating of five stars. Meanwhile, the IIHS awarded it top "Good" scores in most crash tests, but "Acceptable" ratings in passenger-side crash tests and for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use. It earned an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee emphasized safety with its robust structure composed of aluminum and high-strength steel, leaving only 27% mild-grade steel in the safety cage. It introduced new features like Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, the latter offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. Jeep planned to release a hands-free version of this system. While the new Grand Cherokee had yet to be evaluated in crash tests, the structural improvements and advanced driver assistance systems indicated a commitment to enhanced safety.