2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, blending traditional elements with modern touches. While maintaining its recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and unique options such as wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin.

The 2022 Honda Passport, on the other hand, adopted a more rugged appearance, closely resembling the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. Sharing a platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV, the Passport was essentially a shorter, two-row version of the Pilot with distinct styling. The updated design aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, especially in the new TrailSport trim, which featured unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious and comfortable cabin with quality materials and thoughtful design elements, such as orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The Passport's large interior and ample storage made it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option, while the T6 and T8 models featured standard all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive power, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide seamless acceleration, particularly in all-electric mode. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and old-school luxury, with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The EX-L trim offered front-wheel drive, while the TrailSport and Elite trims came with Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) all-wheel-drive system. The V6 engine provided smooth and satisfying acceleration, and the Passport's firm, communicative ride and athletic handling made it enjoyable to drive on various road conditions. The TrailSport trim, with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance and traction management driving modes, offered some off-road capability, though it was more about looks than actual performance. The Passport's brakes, however, were a concern, as they tended to heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which could be unsettling for drivers.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats in both the second and third rows lacked support. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but the lack of a power-adjustable steering wheel was a drawback. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few console storage options. Cargo space was also on the lower end of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was a convenient feature.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with inboard adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, while the Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The triple-zone automatic climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, with the Elite trim providing separate controls for rear passengers. The rear seats offered ample room and a slightly elevated seating position, making the cabin feel open and airy. The Passport excelled in storage, with a massive center console storage bin, door panel shelving, and rear door cupholders. Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Passport's simple utility and comfort made it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback for drivers with newer phones.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met modern standards but was due for an upgrade. All trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim included a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The system included shortcut buttons for the Home menu, a Back button, a screen brightness button, and a stereo volume and power knob, but lacked a stereo tuning knob. During a road trip, Apple CarPlay was preferred over the Passport's clunky navigation system. The wireless smartphone charging was a standard feature, but overall, the Passport's technology was not particularly advanced, which might be a blessing for some users.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles, though it struggled with highway curves.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were intrusive, leading drivers to turn them off. The adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic, and the blind-spot monitoring warning light was poorly placed. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories, except for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.