2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport's new styling closely resembled the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform that Honda also used for the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot three-row SUV. Essentially, the Passport was a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seat and with different styling. Honda aimed to give the Passport a tougher look with its new nose design, which was applied across all three trim levels: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, though it was more about aesthetics than actual capability.

Inside, the Passport boasted one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment. The TrailSport trim added unique features like orange contrast stitching, amber ambient lighting, and rubber all-season floor mats. Prices ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The TrailSport model, with its unique 18-inch wheels and other design modifications, aimed to look more like an SUV and less like a crossover.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround and front and rear bumper styling. The RDX lineup included the base model and option packages named Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance. The limited-production PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. Prices started at $42,300 and went up to $53,300, excluding a $1,045 destination charge.

Our test vehicle, the A-Spec Advance package, came with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, totaling $53,645. The RDX A-Spec Advance justified its price with high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior. Despite some controversial design elements, the RDX demonstrated more flair for style than many of its rivals.

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. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the EX-L trim, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims. The V6 engine was smooth and felt stronger than its power ratings suggested. The EPA rated the Passport at 22 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. Our TrailSport test vehicle averaged 21.3 mpg.

The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system featured mechanical torque vectoring, capable of delivering up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. This system was effective on twisty roads but less noticeable off-road. The Passport offered a firm, communicative ride and surprisingly athletic handling. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was concerning given the SUV's 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2022 Acura RDX came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard. The RDX's turbo-four engine delivered quick acceleration, but heavy-footed driving reduced fuel economy from the EPA-rated 23 mpg to an average of 20.6 mpg during our tests.

Front-wheel drive was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring AWD system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing the driving experience on twisty roads. The RDX's revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and adaptive-damping suspension provided a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX also offered a quieter ride, thanks to enhanced sound insulation and Active Sound Control.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large doors and a low step-in height, making it easy to enter and exit. The front seats were large and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated front seats. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The rear seats offered plenty of room and a slightly elevated seating position, making the area feel open and airy. The Passport provided ample storage space, including a massive center console storage bin and various door panel shelves.

Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet of volume behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The Passport's simple utility and comfort made it easy to live with.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered plenty of room for four adults and their luggage. The interior emphasized a sporty driving position and featured a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard. The control layout required some acclimation, especially the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system. The standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The new flat-bottom steering wheel was good to hold and available with a heated rim.

The rear seats, however, were less comfortable, feeling flat and lacking support. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor added to the utility.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The system had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred over the clunky navigation system.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the TTI infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display screen with a touchpad controller. The system required a learning curve but became more natural to use over time. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The Technology package added a navigation system, while higher trims featured an ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system with 16 speakers. The RDX also included a 10.5-inch head-up display in the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages.

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, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, some functions, like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist, were less refined and could be annoying. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects but an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and new safety features like a rear seatbelt reminder system. The AcuraWatch suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology package added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The RDX's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were mostly accurate but not as refined as some rivals. The NHTSA gave the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance and five-star side-impact ratings.