2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Honda Passport was a testament to Honda's consistent design philosophy, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda buyers. Its exterior design was a blend of the Honda Pilot and CR-V, presenting a rugged and athletic appearance that set it apart. The Passport's elevated ground clearance further enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for those seeking adventure. Inside, the Passport boasted a sophisticated cabin with a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, providing a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers. The Elite trim level offered luxurious features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a moonroof, ensuring a premium driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum exuded luxury and grandeur, making a striking impression with its intricately detailed chrome grille and massive 22-inch wheels. The Expedition's spacious interior accommodated passengers with ease, offering large, comfortable seats and a leather-lined cabin. Despite its impressive size, the Expedition faced challenges in cargo capacity, particularly when transporting more than five people and their luggage. However, the extended-length Expedition MAX addressed this limitation, providing ample cargo space for larger groups. The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured a smooth ride, while its high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements contributed to a refined and comfortable driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport provided a smooth driving experience across various terrains. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The AWD variant offered slightly lower figures. Despite this, the Passport excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and multiple drive modes. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing many of its competitors.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim offering an enhanced 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. Its 10-speed automatic transmission ensured seamless gear shifts, while the SUV's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition's ride quality was slightly compromised by its 22-inch wheels, but its adaptive damping suspension and independent suspension system maintained stability. The FX4 Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a formidable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2020 Honda Passport was a practical midsize SUV, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. Its right-sized proportions provided excellent visibility and comfortable seating for four adults, with no option for a third row. The Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. Its interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, such as a spacious center console and secondary shelf space, making it ideal for road trips and daily use.

The 2021 Ford Expedition prioritized comfort and utility, with power-deploying running boards and wide seats for all passengers. Its independent rear suspension ensured a smooth ride, while the cargo space expanded significantly with the third-row seat folded down. The Expedition MAX offered even more cargo capacity, accommodating larger loads with ease. Despite its high liftover height, the Expedition's interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage for small items and a focus on passenger comfort.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a practical infotainment system, with the EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims offering an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with responsive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, while higher trims offered additional amenities such as a 10-speaker audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, though aging, provided essential features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. Its 8-inch touchscreen was sometimes slow to respond, but the system offered Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system available for added convenience.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included features like collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Ford Expedition boasted a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover-resistance rating for 4WD models. It came equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims provided adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system, enhancing safety and convenience for drivers.