2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing interest in crossovers. By incorporating rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive, and a higher driving position, Subaru successfully transformed the Impreza into a more SUV-like vehicle. The Crosstrek stood out with its black body cladding, unique 17-inch wheels, and increased ground clearance of 8.7 inches, which was impressive even for dedicated SUVs. The vibrant color options, such as Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its appeal. Despite its SUV-like exterior, the Crosstrek retained the Impreza's interior, which was functional but somewhat plain, with some questionable design choices like the clashing color accents in the Sport trim.

The 2021 Honda Passport, on the other hand, was essentially a two-row version of the Pilot, sharing many styling elements both inside and out. The Passport's interior was spacious and utilized high-quality materials, although it shared the Pilot's awkward button shifter design. The trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features like leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems. The Passport's design choices, while corporate, provided a comfortable and accommodating environment for passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom, as well as practical storage solutions throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the Base and Premium trims continued with a 2.0-liter engine delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's standard all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, and X-Mode enhanced its handling and off-road capabilities, although it was primarily suited for on-road use. The higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll, but the ride remained comfortable with low wind noise. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration, though the CVT's droning was evident.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered both front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, with the latter featuring Intelligent Traction Management for various terrains. The Passport's ride was a balance of comfort and refined handling, suitable for both daily commutes and weekend adventures. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for AWD models, the Passport was a versatile choice for those needing extra capability.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek provided the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was competitive among small crossovers, offering 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder system and a practical cubby hole for phones, but storage space was limited. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was excellent due to the large side glass.

The 2021 Honda Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 100.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with them in use, plus an additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the interior featured ample storage options, including deep door pockets and a spacious center console. The rear seats were adjustable, offering plenty of headroom and legroom for passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims added features like WiFi and SiriusXM radio, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, and EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons.

The 2021 Honda Passport came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While these features were a welcome addition, the infotainment system's graphics and menu layout were dated and confusing. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, but its inclusion was appreciated given the lack of a tuning dial.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for the 2020 model. It offered standard EyeSight driver-assist features on CVT models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The EyeSight system's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Passport earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and received mostly top scores from the IIHS, with some "Acceptable" ratings for specific tests and features.