2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport, often referred to as a shortened version of the Honda Pilot, presented a familiar aesthetic that echoed its larger sibling. From the outside, its resemblance to the Pilot was unmistakable, earning it the unofficial moniker "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport mirrored the Pilot’s design almost identically. This mirrored layout included Honda's somewhat controversial button shifter for the automatic transmission, a design choice that divided opinions.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport ranged from Sport to Elite, with each incrementally adding more premium features. The base Sport trim sported 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a seven-speaker audio system. Moving up to the EX-L trim introduced leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and power-adjustable seats. The Touring trim added front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and a WiFi hotspot, enhancing convenience and connectivity. The top-tier Elite trim offered luxurious touches such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder embraced a new design language that signaled a shift from its predecessor. Featuring a revamped V-motion grille, new Nissan logo, and LED lighting elements, the Pathfinder’s exterior boasted a bold, aggressive stance. The broader, more muscular side panels and hood hinted at a rugged capability. The Pathfinder came in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with each one equipped with body-color door handles, chrome accents, and privacy glass for rear windows. Additionally, 14 paint jobs and color combinations, along with an optional black roof, offered extensive customization.

Inside, the Pathfinder combined practicality with style. Trim levels offered various amenities starting from standard cloth seats in the base models to luxurious quilted semi-aniline leather in the Platinum grade. The Pathfinder also accommodated up to eight passengers in most trims, with the Platinum trim offering seven-passenger seating due to second-row captain’s chairs. Nissan included thoughtful touches such as the EZ Flex Latch and Glide system for easy third-row access and a removable second-row center console.

All 2021 Honda Passport trims were powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). It delivered strong acceleration and adept handling, making it suitable for both daily driving and light off-road adventures, thanks to 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD’s Intelligent Traction Management. The Passport's towing capacity varied between 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD versions.

Similarly, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, which offered 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This was coupled with a new nine-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF, replacing the previous generation's continuously variable transmission (CVT). The new transmission, along with a switchable five-position drive mode selector for FWD models and a seven-mode system for AWD variants, provided smooth and adaptable performance. The Pathfinder boasted a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, making it a solid choice for those requiring substantial towing capability.

Cargo capacity was a particular strength for the 2021 Honda Passport, which offered 100.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in place. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage added further versatility, and trims from EX-L upward included either a power liftgate or a hands-free option, making loading and unloading effortless.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder offered competitive cargo space, with 80.5 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, 45.0 cubic feet with just the third row down, and 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row. The innovative removable second-row console and a practical third-row seating arrangement supported flexible usage. Pathfinder excelled in terms of passenger comfort with noise-reducing features that created a quiet cabin environment. Features like second-row sliding and tilting seats made access to the third row convenient, while the front row boasted ample storage thanks to the new center console design.

Technology-wise, the 2021 Honda Passport came with an 8-inch touchscreen and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, users found the system's interface somewhat dated and challenging to navigate, despite the addition of a volume dial.

Nissan, on the other hand, loaded the 2022 Pathfinder with user-friendly tech that didn't overwhelm drivers. Standard features included an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims offered upgraded features like a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and a head-up display, ensuring that tech enthusiasts found plenty to enjoy.

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. Available upgrades included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. In safety evaluations, the Passport secured a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and received high marks from IIHS, though it fell short in specific categories like headlight performance.

Nissan's Pathfinder also offered a comprehensive suite of safety technologies under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 banner, standard across all trims. This included features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. While official crash test ratings were not available at the time of this comparison, the extensive safety equipment promised robust protection for occupants.