2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made loading children into car seats a breeze, and the comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents or carpool kids with ease. The Odyssey also offered substantial cargo space, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded and the second-row seats were removed. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey's design, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, added a touch of style.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Ridgeline pickup and Pilot SUV, resulting in a rugged, truck-like front end. The Passport's new TrailSport trim aimed to attract off-road enthusiasts with its standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes. The interior featured quality materials and ample space, with the TrailSport adding unique design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting. Prices ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, with the TrailSport model tested costing $44,095.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was front-wheel drive only, unlike some competitors that offered all-wheel drive or hybrid options. The Odyssey's EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, its brakes tended to heat up and vibrate during extended downhill driving, which was a concern for a vehicle designed to carry multiple passengers.

The 2022 Honda Passport also used a 3.5-liter V6 engine with identical power figures to the Odyssey. It came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Passport's EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. The TrailSport model tested averaged 21.3 mpg. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its performance on twisty roads and moderate off-road trails. However, like the Odyssey, the Passport's brakes exhibited vibration during downhill driving, which was concerning given its 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey's interior was designed for family convenience. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, making it easier to access the third row or adjust seating positions for safety. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was impressive, offering 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered a spacious and comfortable interior with large, supportive seats and standard leather upholstery. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Passport's 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 SUV's large side windows and elevated seating position provided a wide, open feel for rear passengers, making it a comfortable choice for long road trips.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. Starting with the EX trim, it included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. The CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems were useful for monitoring and communicating with rear passengers. However, the rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, and the 8-inch touchscreen felt small by modern standards. The embedded navigation system was also less user-friendly compared to smartphone-based options.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system was straightforward but also in need of an upgrade. All trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim included a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The Passport's navigation system required specific voice commands and was less intuitive than using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the overall technology package was basic compared to newer competitors.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems lacked refinement, sometimes reacting too sharply or issuing false warnings. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Passport also featured the Honda Sensing suite, with similar driver aids and additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories but earned four stars for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects but rated it Acceptable for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.