2024 Honda Passport vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as the factory options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out were limited to a few paint colors and wheel designs. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its previous design language, despite Honda's recent updates to other models. The Passport's design remained consistent with its past iterations, featuring a more upright grille and squared-off corners. The Passport was available in three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all equipped with leather seats, a power moonroof, and all-wheel drive. The TrailSport trim, tested for its rugged appeal, came with all-terrain tires, roof rails, and LED fog lights. However, the Passport TrailSport was more about appearance than off-road capability, lacking metal skid plates and recovery points. Inside, the Passport featured a simple and unassuming design with black leather upholstery and orange contrast stitching. The interior was practical, with large air vents, simple controls, and ample storage space, emphasizing its utilitarian design.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement, though it excelled more in the former. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid option, exclusive to the Autobiography P440e, delivered 434 hp and 406 lb-ft, with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. The Range Rover Sport's 523-hp twin-turbo V8 was initially available but later discontinued. The SUV's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and it could tow up to 7,716 pounds. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and the test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture improved torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it fell short of sport-tuned competitors in dynamic driving, feeling tall and heavy with limited steering involvement. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, boasting impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and advanced off-road technology.

The 2024 Honda Passport, in contrast, retained a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered smooth acceleration, though peak torque required higher RPMs. Fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined. The TrailSport trim featured mechanical changes for off-road capability, including wider tracks, all-terrain tires, and tuned suspension. All Passports came with Honda's torque-vectoring iVTM4 AWD system and a traction-management system with various settings. While road and wind noise were noticeable at highway speeds, the Passport's steering was well-balanced and accurate. Towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others. The Passport's performance was solid, with a focus on practicality and comfort.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with narrow door openings and hard seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport's interior featured Windsor leather, a massage feature, and advanced air purification options, but rear seat comfort was compromised by a reclined seatback angle.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The rear seats folded flush with the trunk floor, facilitating easy loading. The Passport accommodated five adults comfortably, with ample cupholders and storage. The front center console was redesigned for more storage, though it reduced the airy feel. The Passport's interior was practical, with a focus on functionality and space.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and understanding its functions. The native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding nearby locations. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation, but the infotainment experience fell short of expectations.

The 2024 Honda Passport came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless charging pad. While the screen offered sharp resolution and quick response, its size felt small for the spacious cabin. The system's navigation software pushed turn-by-turn directions to the driver's display, which could be annoying in city driving. The TrailSport trim's seven-speaker audio system was underwhelming, and audiophiles might prefer competitors with more advanced sound systems.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist were not as smooth or reliable as expected, particularly on freeway curves.

The 2024 Honda Passport included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitoring, and adaptive cruise control as standard features under the "Honda Sensing" umbrella. Despite its comprehensive safety features, the Passport received mixed crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with some areas needing improvement.