2023 Mazda CX-50 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 distinct 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. The TrailSport featured standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes for various conditions. Prices ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, with the TrailSport model we tested costing $44,095.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a cabin positioned toward the rear wheels, embodying Mazda's signature subtle seductiveness. However, the CX-50 also introduced rugged elements like blistered fender swells, lower body cladding, and fake skid plates. These design choices, combined with a standard black grille and available 20-inch wheels, created an appealing exterior.

The CX-50 came in two versions: the 2.5 S with a 187-horsepower engine and the 2.5 Turbo with up to 256 horsepower. Prices started at $26,800 and went up to $41,550, excluding the $1,225 destination charge. Our test vehicle, the top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, had an MSRP of $43,170. The interior featured black leather with caramel-colored stitching, quality materials, and a driver-focused design, though some storage opportunities were missed.

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 was standard on the EX-L, while the TrailSport and Elite trims came with all-wheel drive. The V6 engine was smooth and powerful, and the Passport averaged 21.3 mpg in various driving conditions. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed.

The Passport excelled on paved roads with firm, communicative ride quality and athletic handling. However, its brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was concerning given its 5,000-pound towing capacity. Off-road, the Passport was capable but not comparable to more rugged SUVs like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version with up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine's power varied depending on the fuel used, with 93-octane gas providing the highest output. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below Mazda's prediction of 25 mpg.

The CX-50 featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, working with G-Vectoring Control technology to ensure consistent vehicle behavior. The ride quality was firm, and the CX-50 handled well on curvy roads, though some torque steer was detected. The CX-50's ground clearance of 8.6 inches made it capable off-road, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration, and the SUV handled towing up to 3,500 pounds with ease.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy entry and exit, thanks to its large doors and low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated seats. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position, with large windows providing an open feel.

Storage was plentiful, with a massive center console, door panel shelving, and rear door cupholders. The power liftgate revealed 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Passport's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were effective in maintaining comfort. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The rear seats were roomy, with rear air vents and charging ports in most trims.

Storage space was adequate but could have been better utilized. The power rear liftgate opened to reveal 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The load floor was long but narrow, with side bins and hooks for securing items.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred over the clunky navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging was standard.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured Mazda Connect with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect's interface was not touchscreen-friendly, requiring the use of center console buttons, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition. However, touchscreen control was available for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The available Bose 12-speaker Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (HUD) projected useful information within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

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, some functions, like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist, were intrusive and often turned off by drivers.

The Passport received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in most categories, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, similar to other Mazda models. It came with a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual braking.