2022 Honda Passport vs 2023 Volvo XC60

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, although it was more about aesthetics than actual capability. The Passport TrailSport featured standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes for various conditions.

Inside, the Passport boasted one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment, with quality materials and careful assembly. The TrailSport trim added unique touches 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 test vehicle, with extra-cost Sonic Gray Pearl paint, had an MSRP of $44,095. The TrailSport's 18-inch wheels, roof rack, and simulated skid plates gave it a more rugged appearance, while the interior offered ample space and comfort.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 offered three powertrains: the B5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, the B6 with a turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid engine, and the Recharge with a turbocharged PHEV powertrain. The Recharge model combined a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.8-kWh battery pack, providing an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range. Prices ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, including the destination charge. Trim levels included Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered, with Bright or Dark exterior themes.

The test vehicle was a Recharge Ultimate with the Dark exterior theme, featuring extra-cost Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, bringing the MSRP to $74,690. The XC60 Recharge's 20-inch wheels, appealing paint color, and blacked-out exterior trim made it visually striking. Inside, the XC60 showcased classic Scandinavian minimalism with high-quality materials and a panoramic sunroof. The black leather interior, wood trim, metal accents, and Orrefors crystal gear selector knob added to its opulence. The XC60 Recharge's look and feel were spot-on, reflecting Volvo's design leadership.

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 front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 engine was smooth and felt stronger than its ratings suggested, working well with the nine-speed automatic. The EPA rated the Passport at 22 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. The TrailSport test vehicle averaged 21.3 mpg over various driving conditions. The EX-L trim was the only FWD option, while the TrailSport and Elite trims came standard with Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed.

The Passport's i-VTM4 system was effective on twisty roads but less noticeable off-road. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Passport was more suited for everyday driving, offering firm, communicative ride quality and athletic handling. The steering was responsive, and the expansive glass provided excellent visibility. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents, which was concerning given the Passport's 5,000-pound towing capacity. Overall, the Passport was a capable and enjoyable vehicle for road trips, though it lacked a surround-view camera system for tight parking situations.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The XC60 Recharge offered several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, accessible through the 9-inch touchscreen display. Battery usage modes included Auto, Hold, and Charge. In Pure mode, the XC60 Recharge could travel an estimated 35 miles on electric power alone. Volvo claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, making it exceptionally quick.

The XC60 Recharge's updated powertrain, introduced in mid-2022, included a more powerful electric motor, enhancing its performance. In Hybrid mode, the rear motor provided a torque-vectoring effect, making the XC60 fun to drive. The test vehicle averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile evaluation route, demonstrating impressive fuel efficiency. The XC60 Recharge's driving dynamics varied depending on the mode, with Power mode offering a sportier feel and Pure and Hybrid modes providing a soft, compliant ride. The one-pedal driving function and regenerative brakes helped maximize battery regeneration. In Charge mode, the XC60 operated solely on the gas engine while recharging the battery, though fuel economy dropped to 19.7 mpg on a freeway trip.

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 adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, while the Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The triple-zone automatic climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, with the Elite trim offering separate controls for rear passengers. The rear seats provided ample legroom, headroom, and hip room, with large side windows creating an open and airy feel.

The Passport offered plenty of storage options, including a massive center console storage bin, front door panel shelving, and rear door panel cupholders. 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 Passport's simple utility and comfort made it a practical and easy-to-live-with SUV.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five if needed. The front seats provided outstanding comfort, with soft Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable, though legroom was tight for taller passengers. The large panoramic sunroof and supportive seat cushions added to the sense of space and comfort. The test vehicle included heated rear seats, a valuable feature in cold climates.

Storage space in the XC60 was decent, with practical spots for smaller items in the center console and larger items in the door panel bins and glovebox. The power liftgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The cargo area included a netted space for the charging cord and buttons to lower the suspension for easier loading. A ski pass-through panel allowed for carrying skis while accommodating four passengers. However, there was no underfloor storage due to the battery pack.

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, including a WiFi hotspot. The system had shortcut buttons for the Home menu, a Back button, a screen brightness button, and a stereo volume and power knob. However, it lacked a stereo tuning knob. The navigation system was clunky, and voice commands were not always effective, making Apple CarPlay a preferred option. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport was not technologically advanced.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system with four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The system supported Apple CarPlay and included SiriusXM satellite radio and WiFi access. The 9-inch touchscreen, mounted portrait-style, had excellent graphics and an intuitive interface. The voice-recognition system was impressive, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The test vehicle had the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which was sensational but expensive. The Ultimate package included a Harman Kardon sound system, which would suffice for most users.

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. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt 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 blind-spot monitoring warning light was poorly positioned. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, known for its safety, came with Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. Pilot Assist performed well on multi-lane freeways, maintaining smooth and accurate control. The XC60 also featured Oncoming Lane Mitigation to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The NHTSA had not assessed the XC60 Recharge for safety, but the B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top marks. The IIHS gave the 2023 XC60 B5 and B6 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, which might carry forward for 2023.