2022 Porsche Macan 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 this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced in 2015, had undergone several updates but remained true to its original design. The 2022 model received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, each offering more power and standard equipment. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, featured nearly $20,000 in extras, including performance upgrades and luxurious interior finishes. The Macan’s design conveyed a sporty, athletic look, with a cabin that combined upscale materials and a purposeful appearance.

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 front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. 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. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS featured a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Our Macan S test car had a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans had a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S offered a thrilling driving experience with precise handling, responsive steering, and powerful brakes, though it required a firm push on the brake pedal to stop.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided ample 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 included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility, and the center console provided deep storage bins and cargo trays. The rear seats were spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom, and could recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, despite its sporty nature, offered comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger. Our Macan S test vehicle had 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, though the rear seats were cramped for taller passengers. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls provided a clean look but required the driver to look away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Macan’s storage solutions were limited, but it could accommodate four full-size suitcases with the cargo cover removed.

For 2021, the Honda Passport included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While these additions were beneficial, the infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that seemed like an afterthought. The lack of a tuning dial further complicated the audio interface.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. The system had touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, making it intuitive for smartphone users. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable compared to competitors. The Macan provided stereo volume and tuning controls below the screen, and the climate control system was separate, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

The 2021 Honda Passport came 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 NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with some "Acceptable" ratings for specific tests and features.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera as standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Macan’s safety technologies performed as expected, with no issues in accuracy or refinement. Parking assistance features included front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, the Macan lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies available in other Porsche models. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.