2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a more compact version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. Its exterior design closely mirrored that of the Pilot, leading some to refer to it as a "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout was nearly identical to the Pilot's, sharing Honda's unconventional "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. It offered various trim levels, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim, which featured a trendy blacked-out exterior. This trim level sat in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering unique styling elements like black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a special grille design. Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, although it had a tendency to trap sweat. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with a gray two-tone scheme and metallic trim. While the third row was best suited for children, the Ascent provided a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats and a wiper de-icer.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through 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 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent's engine, with its flat-four layout, offered a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT was praised for its performance, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and featured Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Ascent offered more off-roading capability than many competitors. However, its lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel unstable at times.

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 Passport's upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the interior featured deep storage bins and door pockets. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with wide rear doors for easy access and available captain's chairs. The panoramic sunroof extended over the second row, and rear-side window shades were available. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A shallow storage area under the floor added convenience.

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

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and even a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands for accurate responses. Onyx Edition models used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features, such as a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera, were reserved for the Touring trim.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with some "Acceptable" ratings for specific tests.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance could be affected by direct sunlight, and its adaptive cruise control and lane-centering lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and reverse automatic braking.