2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it quickly moved upscale, especially with the introduction of a four-door version. By 2021, the Range Rover was a luxury SUV with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design, with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, making it a shorter, two-row version of the Pilot. The Passport's new styling gave it a tougher look, and it was available in three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, though it was more about aesthetics than capability. The Passport offered a spacious interior with quality materials and ample storage, making it a practical choice for families. Its design updates and features like all-wheel drive and traction management modes made it more versatile for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its off-road prowess. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, and its high driving position offered excellent visibility. However, its steering was slow, and the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity led to some side-to-side wallow. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with the latter featuring Honda's i-VTM4 system for improved traction. The Passport's V6 engine was smooth and responsive, and it achieved an average of 21.3 mpg during testing. While it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading, the Passport handled well on paved roads, offering a firm ride and athletic handling. However, its brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern given its towing capacity.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers still found it challenging. The front seats were comfortable and luxurious, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with a small center-console bin and minimal luggage capacity. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Passport, on the other hand, provided easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Its interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and ample room for rear passengers. The Passport offered generous storage options, including a large center console bin and door panel shelving. Cargo space was impressive, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a family-friendly choice.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays, offering numerous customization options. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, and using the touchscreens while driving was distracting. The Range Rover included a head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The SUV also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met modern standards with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a premium sound system and WiFi hotspot. The system included shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. The Passport's navigation system was clunky, prompting users to rely on Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's technology was not particularly advanced.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with essential safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist were intrusive, prompting drivers to disable them. The Passport received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell short in some areas, such as front-passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.