2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance to the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seat, with distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, particularly with the new nose styling. The TrailSport trim, introduced in 2022, was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, although it was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that echoed the larger Range Rover's profile but in a sportier package. The Velar's exterior featured a sleek, almost liquid form with flush door handles and distinctive taillight lenses. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sophisticated, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The interior design was clean and modern, with three sharp screens providing a high-tech feel. Despite being the base trim, the Velar S offered a luxurious experience with its high-quality materials and exemplary fit and finish.

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. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter being standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims. The Passport's V6 engine was smooth and responsive, providing satisfying acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. The i-VTM4 AWD system enhanced its handling, especially on twisty roads, although its off-road capabilities were limited. The Passport's brakes, however, could become less confidence-inspiring on mountain descents. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in a lower center of gravity and lighter weight, which improved its handling and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar offered a smooth ride, especially with the optional air suspension. The Terrain Response system provided six driving modes, but the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system offered higher performance, with up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position. The Passport provided generous storage options, including a massive center console and ample cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were sometimes frustrating. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a cleaner interface and faster response times.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with 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. The system was functional but not particularly advanced, with some users preferring to use Apple CarPlay for navigation.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It included features like voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could suggest traffic detours and provide off-road measurements. The Velar also offered a 360-degree camera system and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo as standard.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, although it had some areas for improvement.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.