2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a trendy blacked-out exterior trim. This edition sat in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering a sporty appearance with black 20-inch aluminum wheels, unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an optional package for an additional $2,000 that included a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover. Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition featured a gray two-tone StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, which was water-repellant but tended to trap sweat. The interior also included metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, creating a modern ambiance.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a similar design to the Ridgeline. The Passport's new styling aimed to give it a tougher look, with the TrailSport trim adding off-road appeal. The TrailSport trim included standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and features like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The Passport's pricing ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, with the TrailSport test vehicle priced at $44,095.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Ascent's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with a test average of 20.5 mpg. The engine's flat-four layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Ascent demonstrated nimble handling in urban settings and athletic performance on country roads, though its lane-keeping assistance technology could feel unstable.

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. The Passport's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined for front-wheel drive and 21 mpg for all-wheel drive, with a test average of 21.3 mpg. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, distributing up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport offered satisfying acceleration, a firm ride, and athletic handling. However, its brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents. The Passport excelled on streets and highways, though it lacked a surround-view camera system for tight parking situations.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent offered a comfortable driving position and features like triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a wiper de-icer. The second-row seats were easily accessible, with wide rear doors and available captain's chairs. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large cupholders. Cargo capacity measured 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large doors and a low step-in height for easy access. The front seats were comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. The Passport Elite added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position. The Passport offered generous storage, including a massive center console bin and door panel shelving. Cargo space measured 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. The system's voice recognition technology required improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. The Touring trim offered additional features like a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Passport Elite included a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system's navigation was clunky, but Apple CarPlay and Siri provided a better experience. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, though the Passport's technology was not particularly advanced.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent's EyeSight driver-assistance tech included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology, though it struggled in direct sunlight and lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and blind-spot monitoring on Premium trim and above.

The 2022 Honda Passport's Honda Sensing collection included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Passport also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were less refined, and the adaptive cruise control could react with too much braking. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.