2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Honda Passport

In 2021, the Lexus RX epitomized the modern design aesthetic of the luxury brand. Key elements included the large spindle grille, angular headlamps, and shapely body that seamlessly combined a robust stance with a sophisticated silhouette. The floating roof and sumptuous seating enhanced the upscale feel, while perforated leather upholstery added a touch of elegance. However, one blemish in the otherwise refined cabin was the bland center console, which many felt outdated the otherwise stylish interior.

Lexus offered the RX in five distinct variants. The singular RX and RX Hybrid represented the base models in their respective powertrain categories. The RX F Sport was touted as the performance-oriented version, whereas the RXL and RXL Hybrid featured extended bodies and an additional third row of seating.

In 2021, Lexus maintained the styling changes introduced in the previous year, including more elongated headlights and a redesigned front end that mitigated previous criticisms of an open-mouth fish look. Standard exterior features on the RX included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting for headlights, daytime running lights, and brake lights, rear privacy glass, LED turn signals integrated into side mirrors, and an integrated rear spoiler concealing the windshield wiper mechanism. Optional upgrades incorporated 20-inch split five-spoke wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a heavy-duty heater.

Meanwhile, the F Sport Appearance package enhanced the sporty look with 20-inch wheels, black outer mirrors, a F Sport steering wheel, and F Sport front and rear performance dampers. The interior delivered luxury even in base models with standard carpeted floor mats, chrome inside door handles, and NuLuxe-trimmed seats. Additional premium features across trims included semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, power-folding configurations, and various driver and passenger seat adjustments.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda Passport was visually striking with design elements similar to its sibling, the Pilot. With two rows of seats in contrast to the Pilot’s three, the Passport offered a sporty yet spacious cabin. The dashboard layout mirrored that of the Pilot, featuring the same button shifter design, which was a contentious element among users. Despite this, the Passport boasted a roomy interior heavy on high-quality materials.

Honda sold the Passport in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The base Sport trim included features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, a seven-speaker audio system, and tri-zone climate control. Upgraded trims brought in more luxurious amenities; the EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and additional power adjustments for the front seats. The Touring trim further added satellite-linked navigation and a hands-free liftgate. Elite crowned the lineup with elements like heated and ventilated front seats and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased robust powertrains across its variants. The RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport models were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Though typically smooth, the transmission could occasionally struggle in gear selection under heavy acceleration. Prospective buyers had to use 91 octane fuel for optimal performance.

Regarding fuel economy, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) RX 350 scored 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined according to EPA ratings. Adding all-wheel drive (AWD) or opting for the RXL reduced the combined fuel economy slightly to 22 mpg, with the AWD RXL reaching 21 mpg combined. The Hybrid models, which paired the 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors producing 308 hp, performed numerously better in fuel efficiency. These models managed between 29-31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, depending on the variant.

The handling improvements introduced in 2020 continued into 2021, providing a dynamic yet comfortable driving experience. AWD variants exhibited stability in corners but did incur some body roll at high speeds. Steering remained adept though not particularly sporty, making the RX easy to navigate whether in city conditions or on highways. The RX F-Sport package did promise a slight increase in driver engagement with adaptive variable suspension, but it wasn't akin to the performance offered by rivals like the Audi SQ5.

In comparison, every 2021 Honda Passport variant came 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 was offered in both FWD and optional AWD configurations. The engine's stop-start system could feel abrupt, but drivers had the option to disable it if desired.

The Passport boasted a balanced ride combining comfort and capability, optimized more for daily commuting and weekend adventures rather than rugged off-roading. Nevertheless, it had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and the AWD models featured Intelligent Traction Management with modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. It was especially promising for towing, capable of pulling 3,500 pounds in FWD configuration and up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with AWD.

The 2021 Lexus RX offered varied configurations and seating capacities across its range. The two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h seated five people comfortably, with ample front and second-row space. However, the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid, seating six or seven depending on configuration, squeezed any adult and anything near adult-size into its third row, which was uncomfortably tight. Cargo space was also limited; the two-row models provided 18.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The three-row configurations offered a mere 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity and interior spaciousness. With the second row in use, it offered 50.5 cubic feet and a significant 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Additionally, the Passport included an under-floor storage tray providing 2.5 cubic feet. All trims, except the base model, featured a power or hands-free liftgate for added convenience.

The Passport's upright seating afforded excellent visibility and a commanding road view. The rear seats were both spacious and adjustable for sliding and reclining, enhancing passenger comfort. Interior storage was thoughtfully designed, with deep door pockets and a vast center console compartment.

The 2021 Lexus RX was well-equipped with modern technology features. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch infotainment system, additional USB ports, wireless charging, and premium audio systems.

While the infotainment system functionality was satisfactory, its interface and design felt outdated compared to rivals. The Remote Touch controller, intended to ease navigation of the system without touching the screen, still lagged behind more intuitive systems from competitors like Acura.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Passport set itself apart by making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across all trims, integrated into an 8-inch touchscreen. Unfortunately, Honda's infotainment system suffered from dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and sub-optimal volume dial placement. Despite these issues, the standard inclusion of smartphone connectivity was a significant draw.

The 2021 Lexus RX scored high marks in safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick, with perfect crashworthiness scores. However, results were not available for the RXL and Hybrid models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also provided favorable ratings, with all tested RX models receiving four out of five stars overall and a perfect five-star rating for side-impact protection.

Safety features for the Lexus RX were comprehensive, encompassing a rearview camera, 10 airbags, vehicle stability control, and the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and lane-keep assist. Notably, the RX lacked hands-off piloting capabilities found in some competitors, reflecting its generational age.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equally robust in safety features, offering standard systems like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors.

In crash ratings, the Passport shone with a five out of five stars overall from NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS evaluations. Notably, it received an "Acceptable" for the passenger-side small overlap front test and an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention tech.