2024 Honda Passport vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was redesigned with subtlety in mind, making it difficult to distinguish from its non-hybrid counterpart. The RX 350h Luxury model featured elegant 21-inch wheels and a sleek Iridium silver finish, maintaining a classic look without overt hybrid branding. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its bold Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, emphasizing its performance-oriented nature. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not universally praised, with some noting its front-heavy appearance and visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX embraced a minimalist aesthetic, with a modern infotainment system and luxurious materials like Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim in the RX 350h, while the RX 500h offered a sportier, all-black interior with optional Rioja Red upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its previous design, with only minor updates like a more upright grille. The Passport offered three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all equipped with leather seats, a power moonroof, and AWD. The TrailSport trim, tested for its rugged appeal, featured all-terrain tires and roof rails, but lacked true off-road enhancements like metal skid plates. Inside, the Passport maintained a straightforward design with physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen. The TrailSport's interior was accented with orange stitching and durable materials, providing a utilitarian yet comfortable environment.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, providing a balance of efficiency and performance. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Despite its power, it averaged only 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 500h featured advanced suspension and steering systems, enhancing its dynamic capabilities, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system.

The 2024 Honda Passport, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, offered 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, it provided smooth acceleration, though peak torque required higher RPMs. The Passport's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined. The TrailSport trim included wider tracks and off-road-tuned suspension, but lacked significant off-road enhancements. The Passport's steering was precise, and its towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds, surpassing some competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h offered sportier seats with standard leather and a thicker steering wheel. The hybrid's battery placement slightly elevated rear seats, offering good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded, an improvement over previous models.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The rear seats folded flush with the trunk floor, facilitating easy loading. The Passport comfortably accommodated five adults, with ample cupholders and a redesigned center console for increased storage. Despite its size, rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cloud-based navigation system and voice assistant. However, the system's single-screen view and reflective display were drawbacks. The available head-up display had usability issues with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Honda Passport featured an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. While the screen was responsive, its size felt inadequate for the spacious cabin. Navigation directions dominated the driver’s display, causing minor annoyance. The TrailSport's audio system was underwhelming compared to competitors' offerings.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including advanced features like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were notable inclusions, though some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Honda Passport included comprehensive safety features under the Honda Sensing suite, such as lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Passport received mixed crash test ratings, with an "Acceptable" rating from IIHS and five stars overall from NHTSA, but lower scores in specific tests.