2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. The styling similarities between the two were evident both inside and out. The Passport’s dash 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 included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each adding progressively more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems. The Passport’s interior was both functional and comfortable, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered three trims: LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportage models used a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight dip. The turbocharged engine offered 20/28/23 mpg for FWD and 19/24/21 mpg for AWD. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

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. The Passport offered standard FWD and optional AWD. The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well, though the stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport’s ride balanced comfort and handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile option for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for both driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited. The Sportage provided 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less competitive compared to other compact crossovers.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 100.8 cubic feet 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 featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road. The center console had a deep bin and an open cargo tray, with deep in-door pockets for both front and rear seats. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and they could recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface for its infotainment system, which included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also benefited from Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs, making it easy to use without being overly advanced.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, along with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This was a notable advantage over the three-row Pilot, which required a higher trim level for these features. However, the Passport’s infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of standard smartphone connectivity was a positive move.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was strong in safety, offering a comprehensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for the SX Turbo trims and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2021 Honda Passport also 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 NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use, and an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention tech.