2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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 design choice was evident at first glance, as the two SUVs shared a striking resemblance, leading some to dub the Passport as a "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout mirrored that of the Pilot, including Honda's unique "button shifter" design, which replaced the traditional gear lever. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. The trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each offering a variety of features, from 20-inch alloy wheels and LED fog lights in the Sport trim to heated and ventilated front seats and wireless device charging in the Elite trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, a hallmark of Land Rover's luxury SUVs. The Velar's design was a scaled-down version of the larger Range Rover, maintaining the brand's signature proportions in a sporty package. Its exterior featured a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof, complemented by flush door handles and unique taillight lenses. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, still offered high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's design was both blocky and streamlined, with a focus on aesthetics that sometimes compromised practicality, such as limited cargo space and headroom.

The 2021 Honda Passport was 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 with an optional all-wheel-drive system. 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 drive modes for various terrains. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive and 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and up to 10 inches of clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, offered 340 to 395 horsepower, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This powertrain delivered high performance while reducing emissions, though the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

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. 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 ample storage options, including deep center bins and in-door pockets.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, offered less interior space. It provided 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design limited headroom and visibility, and it lacked a discrete control for the parking brake, which was integrated into the transmission button. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the interface, but the Velar's design choices sometimes compromised functionality.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, integrated into an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While these features were a welcome addition, the system's graphics and menu layout were dated, and the volume dial felt like an afterthought.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The instrument panel offered customizable displays, though the driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It 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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but a European-spec 2017 Velar scored five stars in Euro NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.