2022 Honda Passport vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport accommodated five passengers, while the L trim offered a three-row, seven-passenger configuration. The RX's design, refreshed in 2020, maintained a modern and sporty appearance, standing out with its aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The exterior featured sharp character lines and angular elements, creating a striking yet balanced design. The F Sport trim, in particular, added performance-oriented aesthetics with 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the RX's cabin exuded luxury, with F Sport models adding a sporty touch through specific badging and trim materials. However, the center stack felt somewhat dated, and the seats, especially in the F Sport, lacked comfort and adjustability.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a design closely resembling the Ridgeline pickup truck. The Passport's new styling aimed for a tougher look, applied across its three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, targeted off-road enthusiasts with standard all-wheel drive, increased ground clearance, and traction management modes. Despite its rugged appearance, the TrailSport was more about looks than capability. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design. TrailSport added unique touches like orange stitching and rubber floor mats. The Passport's large interior and ample cargo space made it a practical choice for families, while its comfortable ride and handling made it a pleasant companion on road trips.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for 308 horsepower. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX offered all-wheel drive exclusively. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained uninspiring. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it suitable for long drives. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 achieving 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while the hybrid RX 450h offered 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 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 featured Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system. The Passport's V6 provided smooth and satisfying acceleration, and the SUV offered a firm, communicative ride with athletic handling. The i-VTM4 system enhanced off-road capability, though the Passport was more suited for on-road driving. Fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models, dropping to 21 mpg with all-wheel drive. The Passport's brakes, however, showed signs of heating and vibration during mountain descents, which could be concerning for towing.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row version offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the cargo area had a high load-in height.

The 2022 Honda Passport boasted a spacious interior with easy access due to large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated options standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position, with large windows enhancing the airy feel. The Passport offered generous storage, including a massive center console and various compartments. Cargo space was impressive, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Passport's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically challenging. The infotainment system included voice commands and a touchpad, though the latter was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite offered a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The infotainment system included shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. The Passport's navigation system was clunky, prompting users to rely on Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's tech offerings were basic compared to competitors.

The 2022 Lexus RX included the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional headlights, but received four stars overall from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Passport also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat reminder. 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 front passenger protection and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS rated the Passport highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.