2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Lexus GX

2021 Lexus GX
2021 Lexus GX
$53,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Passport
2021 Honda Passport
$32,790MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Lexus GX
$53,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Passport
$32,790MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$53,450

MSRP

$32,790

Average price

$43,983

Average price

$27,993

Listings

358

Listings

1127

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

5.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Premium interior materials
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Poor handling
  • Outdated technology
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Powerful engine
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Irritating transmission
  • Uncomfortable seats

2021 Lexus GX Reviews Summary

Most modern SUVs are really car-based crossovers—lifted station wagons, or minivans without the sliding doors. That’s not the case with the 2021 Lexus GX 460.

Like the mythical Loch Ness Monster, the GX is a creature that time forgot. It’s one of the last SUVs with truck-like body-on-frame construction and true off-road capability. That’s because the GX is actually a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (a smaller version of the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser not sold in the United States), and is related to the Toyota 4Runner. It’s also genuinely old: the current generation dates back to the 2010 model year, and Lexus has kept it in production with some updates of styling and tech over the years.

That makes the GX a fairly odd proposition on the new-car market. It has the off-road capability, not as a lifestyle statement, but because that’s what was still expected of SUVs when it was launched. The GX sits between the RX and LX in Lexus’ lineup but has little direct competition. Its only real rival is the much newer Land Rover Discovery.

For the 2021 model year, the GX gets some minor updates, including a new Premium Plus Package, and acoustic front side glass. Lexus continues to offer only the GX 460 model, with a single powertrain option, standard four-wheel drive (4WD), and three trim levels: base, Premium, and Luxury. Our test car was the midlevel Premium version.

2021 Honda Passport Reviews Summary

The 2021 Honda Passport was introduced for the 2019 model year. It carries over to 2021 largely unchanged, but with some additional features. First used by Honda in the early 1990s, the Passport name harkens back to a time when SUVs were more about rugged off-road capability. SUVs are very different beasts these days, and the Passport bridges the gap as an adventurous crossover SUV that is designed with daily life in mind.

The Passport is closely related to the Honda Pilot. The fact that Honda offers multiple midsize SUVs might seem confusing. Automakers always talk about not wanting one model to cannibalize sales of another. Though the Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot are in the same category, the Passport stands out as a more active alternative. It leverages that older more rugged Honda nameplate and backs it up with some features not found on the family-hauling Pilot.

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Popular Features & Specs

Engine

4.6L 301 hp V8

Engine

3.5L 280 hp V6

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

7

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

301 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

15

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

19

MPG Highway

25
2021 Lexus GX
2021 Lexus GX
$53,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Passport
2021 Honda Passport
$32,790MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Lexus GX
$53,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Passport
$32,790MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$53,450
$32,790
Average price
$43,983
$27,993
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.6
4.3
Expert reviews

5.3 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Premium interior materials
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Poor handling
  • Outdated technology
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Powerful engine
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Irritating transmission
  • Uncomfortable seats
Summary

Most modern SUVs are really car-based crossovers—lifted station wagons, or minivans without the sliding doors. That’s not the case with the 2021 Lexus GX 460.

Like the mythical Loch Ness Monster, the GX is a creature that time forgot. It’s one of the last SUVs with truck-like body-on-frame construction and true off-road capability. That’s because the GX is actually a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (a smaller version of the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser not sold in the United States), and is related to the Toyota 4Runner. It’s also genuinely old: the current generation dates back to the 2010 model year, and Lexus has kept it in production with some updates of styling and tech over the years.

That makes the GX a fairly odd proposition on the new-car market. It has the off-road capability, not as a lifestyle statement, but because that’s what was still expected of SUVs when it was launched. The GX sits between the RX and LX in Lexus’ lineup but has little direct competition. Its only real rival is the much newer Land Rover Discovery.

For the 2021 model year, the GX gets some minor updates, including a new Premium Plus Package, and acoustic front side glass. Lexus continues to offer only the GX 460 model, with a single powertrain option, standard four-wheel drive (4WD), and three trim levels: base, Premium, and Luxury. Our test car was the midlevel Premium version.

The 2021 Honda Passport was introduced for the 2019 model year. It carries over to 2021 largely unchanged, but with some additional features. First used by Honda in the early 1990s, the Passport name harkens back to a time when SUVs were more about rugged off-road capability. SUVs are very different beasts these days, and the Passport bridges the gap as an adventurous crossover SUV that is designed with daily life in mind.

The Passport is closely related to the Honda Pilot. The fact that Honda offers multiple midsize SUVs might seem confusing. Automakers always talk about not wanting one model to cannibalize sales of another. Though the Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot are in the same category, the Passport stands out as a more active alternative. It leverages that older more rugged Honda nameplate and backs it up with some features not found on the family-hauling Pilot.

Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
4.6L 301 hp V8
3.5L 280 hp V6
Drive Train
AWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
7
5
Horsepower
301 hp @ 5500 rpm
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
15
20
MPG Highway
19
25
Look and feel
2021 Lexus GX
7/10
2021 Honda Passport
9/10

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ signature spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes but did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior lagged behind modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

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 styling, both inside and out. The Passport’s dash layout mirrored that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding progressively more features. The entry-level Sport included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery and a power moonroof, while the Touring trim introduced front-and-rear parking sensors and a hands-free liftgate. The top-tier Elite offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

Performance
2021 Lexus GX
6/10
2021 Honda Passport
7/10

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs. The V8 provided ample power for acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the vehicle also required extra caution, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, meaning it wasn’t very smooth. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control. The optional Off-Road Package added even more features for rugged terrain. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well, though the stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport’s ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, ideal for commuting and weekend adventures. It offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models included 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.

Form and function
2021 Lexus GX
5/10
2021 Honda Passport
8/10

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics revealed its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, though the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and virtually no space with the third row up.

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 upright seating position provided excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road. The center console included a deep bin and an open cargo tray below the shifter and cupholders. Both front and rear seats had deep in-door pockets for storage. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and could both recline and slide for added comfort.

Technology
2021 Lexus GX
4/10
2021 Honda Passport
7/10

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system had dated graphics and limited functionality, with a secondary display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward, if primitive, interface.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This was a significant advantage over the three-row Pilot, which required a higher trim level for these features. Despite this, the Passport’s infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. The audio interface also lacked a tuning dial.

Safety
2021 Lexus GX
6/10
2021 Honda Passport
9/10

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

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. 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 passenger-side small overlap front crash test, headlights, and child-seat anchor ease of use. Its front crash prevention tech earned a second-tier "Advanced" rating.

Cost Effectiveness
2021 Lexus GX
4/10
2021 Honda Passport
8/10

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Lexus GX is 5.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Passport scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Honda Passport is the clear choice, offering better overall performance, more modern technology, and superior safety features.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Lexus GX is 5.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Passport scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Honda Passport is the clear choice, offering better overall performance, more modern technology, and superior safety features.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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