2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the front. This similarity was due to both vehicles sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured a more rugged design. Honda aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, particularly with the 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, although it was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability. The Passport boasted a spacious interior, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements, such as orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 underwent subtle exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille. The top-tier Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel, especially in the Signature trim, with Nappa leather upholstery and real wood trim. The seats were redesigned for 2022, offering improved comfort and support. Mazda also revamped its trim levels, introducing the CX-5 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine for those seeking more power. The CX-5's pricing ranged from $25,900 to $38,650, with our test vehicle, the 2.5 Turbo, totaling $39,445 with optional features.

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 (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with the latter being standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims. The Passport's V6 engine was smooth and powerful, providing satisfying acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. The EPA rated the Passport at 22 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD, with our TrailSport test vehicle averaging 21.3 mpg. The i-VTM4 AWD system, standard on the TrailSport, offered mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing the SUV's handling on twisty roads. However, the Passport's brakes showed some issues, particularly when descending mountain grades, which could be concerning given its 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version producing up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas. All CX-5 models came with standard AWD, and the six-speed automatic transmission was revised for more responsive performance. The EPA rated the base engine at 26 mpg combined, while the turbocharged version achieved 24 mpg. The CX-5's driving dynamics were improved for 2022, with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter and smoother ride. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, enhancing the driving experience. The CX-5's handling was sporty and composed, making it a legitimate alternative to entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with its large doors and low step-in height. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated seats. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers, and large side windows provided an open and airy feel. Storage was plentiful, with a massive center console and various compartments throughout the cabin. Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making the Passport a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating with new, more supportive seats and a sportier driving position. The interior featured leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats in the 2.5 Turbo trim. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, however, was less intuitive, with the Mazda Connect infotainment system lacking a touchscreen and natural voice recognition. Storage space was limited, with a small center armrest bin and adequate cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system was functional but not advanced, with some users preferring to use Apple CarPlay for navigation. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the overall technology package was basic compared to competitors.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, operated via center console controls. While lacking a touchscreen and natural voice recognition, the system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial. The 2.5 S Premium trim added a 10-speaker Bose sound system, which performed well. Despite its limitations, the CX-5's tech package was adequate, with standard features like text-messaging support and E911 emergency notification.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, some driver aids were less refined, with lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist drawing negative attention. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for four stars in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured the i-Activsense package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's safety tech was mostly agreeable, with a head-up display showing blind-spot warnings. The IIHS awarded the CX-5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, a distinction few rivals achieved.