2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 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 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 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, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery and a power moonroof, while the Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors and a hands-free liftgate. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 had a more subtle, less flashy look compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, other GLS models, such as the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach GLS 600, offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. The Maybach version even included power running boards and a traditional hood ornament.

Inside, the GLS 450’s interior was luxurious yet subdued, featuring leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were housed together under one piece of glass, providing a sleek look. While the GLS 450’s interior felt high quality, it lacked some of the opulence found in higher-end models. The AMG and Maybach versions offered more specialized interiors, with performance-oriented features and added luxuries like reclining rear seats.

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 drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. FWD models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450’s engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was well-integrated. The GLS 450 also had a standard air suspension, but it exhibited poor body control, making the ride less comfortable. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

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 of storage was available in an under-floor tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured 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, and they could recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring individual captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for access to the third row, and the standard bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The GLS featured one-touch power-folding second-row and third-row seats and a power tailgate. The air suspension could lower to make loading and unloading easier. However, the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and some ergonomic issues were noted.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a distinct advantage over the Pilot, the Passport’s infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. The lack of a tuning dial further complicated the audio interface.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and natural-language voice recognition. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display as an option. The voice recognition system, activated by saying “Hey Mercedes,” was the easiest to use, while the touchpad controller was too sensitive. The touchscreen and instrument cluster had good-looking graphics, but the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well equipped with advanced safety features such as 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). However, it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights, child-seat anchor ease of use, and front crash prevention tech.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.