2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Lexus GX

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.