2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. Its design closely mirrored that of the Pilot, earning it the nickname "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout was nearly identical to the Pilot's, sharing Honda's unique "button shifter" design instead of a traditional lever. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. The trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each offering a range of features from 20-inch alloy wheels and LED fog lights to leather upholstery and a power moonroof.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with a tiger-nose grille that some found less appealing. However, Kia excelled in other design aspects, with elements like the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a symmetrical rear fascia. The Sportage's interior showcased Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and metal pedal covers in the SX Turbo trim. The use of buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust various settings, and the overall feel was upscale. The Sportage's design was both stylish and functional, offering a sense of quality with every drive.

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 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power effectively. 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. The FWD Passport could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the AWD version could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing a competitive but unremarkable performance. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, featured a more robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system available as an option. The Sportage SX Turbo delivered quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The suspension system provided a smooth and compliant ride, with the SX Turbo featuring upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. The Sportage offered an athletic and sporty driving experience, though not as refined as some competitors.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered generous cargo space, with 100.8 cubic feet available 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 interior featured deep storage bins and in-door pockets for added convenience. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while smaller, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. The rear seats provided generous legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. Interior storage was ample, but maximum cargo volume was limited to 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology offered hands-free convenience, though it could be turned off if desired.

For 2021, the Honda Passport included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a step forward, the system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout left room for improvement. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, and the lack of a tuning dial was noticeable.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, with the SX Turbo offering wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was becoming outdated, lacking a WiFi hotspot and featuring wired smartphone mirroring.

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 rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Kia Sportage included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.