2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a throwback in styling, relying heavily on distinctive trim details rather than solely on its basic exterior. Each trim level had its unique touch, reminiscent of how Chevy used to differentiate models with different wheel options or added chrome. The Traverse featured the conventional SUV look with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a sizable grille that appealed to many buyers. While the design was cleaner and more handsome than competitors like the Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Palisade, it lacked the distinct personality seen in the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride and did not stand out as much as the Mazda CX-9’s streamlined appearance.

The RS model had blacked-out trim, the High Country variant boasted more chrome, and packages like Redline, Sport, and Midnight added extra flair to the lower trims. Basic models like the Traverse L came with 18-inch wheels, while higher trims offered 20-inch options. Underneath, the Traverse shared its platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, but these crossovers aimed for a more premium feel compared to Traverse's blue-collar aesthetic. It also fell below the Chevy Tahoe in size, featuring a car-like unibody construction rather than a body-on-frame setup used by the Tahoe.

The interior mirrored the exterior’s restrained styling, featuring an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof to brighten the first and second rows. The materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but did not match the vehicle’s $50,000 price tag—this was a common issue for many three-row midsize crossovers, which became expensive with additional options.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two instead of three rows of seats. This similarity was evident upon immediate inspection, making it similar enough to call it a Pilot Sport. This visual resemblance continued inside the cabin, where the dash layout was nearly identical to that of the Pilot, including the somewhat awkward “button shifter” design for the automatic transmission. Despite this, the Passport offered a spacious and high-quality interior.

Trim levels for the Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport had 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, a seven-speaker audio system, and a one-touch fold-down rear bench. The Passport EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, a power rear liftgate, a walk-away auto-locking feature, and tilting side mirrors when reversing. The Touring trim introduced front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, a 115-volt outlet, an upgraded 10-speaker stereo system, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. Finally, the Elite trim added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and wireless device charging, with most content neatly included across the trims rather than in optional packages.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered solely by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Although Chevy previously offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, it was discontinued. The only transmission option was a nine-speed automatic.

Driving the Traverse, it didn't always feel as powerful as its specs suggested, but power was present when required. The V6 felt less potent off the line, but robust enough for highway merging or overtaking when pushed. The nine-speed automatic was generally smooth but occasionally delivered rough shifts.

Despite its lack of agility on twisty roads, the Traverse excelled on highways, providing a quiet cabin (thanks to active noise cancellation) and a suspension that absorbed bumps well. Its AWD system, which required manual activation unlike most competitors, was somewhat odd. It could send up to 50% of torque to the front wheels or 85% to the rear but didn’t translate this capability efficiently into palpable benefits while driving. However, the Traverse engaged off-road and tow/haul modes efficiently, boasting a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, decent for the segment but outclassed by vehicles like the Nissan Pathfinder (6,000 pounds) and Ford Explorer (5,600 pounds).

The Passport was uniformly equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD), the Passport's V6 provided strong acceleration and the automatic managed power well, although the stop-start system could be abrupt, but was easily deactivated.

The Passport balanced comfort and refined handling, aiming more at commuters and weekend warriors than extreme off-roaders. Nonetheless, it offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and, in AWD models, an Intelligent Traction Management system with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes, setting it up well for light off-roading. The TrailSport trim, introduced for the 2022 model year, was even more capable off-road.

For towing, the Passport managed up to 3,500 pounds in FWD variants and up to 5,000 pounds in properly equipped AWD models.

The Traverse offered seating configurations for seven or eight, depending on the choice between a second-row bench or captain’s chairs. It provided above-average headroom and legroom across all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, while higher trims offered ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats.

One of the Traverse’s standout features was its generous cargo space: 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row down, and 98.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats stowed. This spaciousness positioned the Traverse favorably against competitors. A power liftgate was standard on higher trims, with the Premier and High Country trims featuring a gesture-activated liftgate. Moreover, higher trims also had a power 60/40 split-folding third row.

Despite its large size, the Traverse was somewhat limited in interior storage options, which was typical of midsize three-row crossovers that sacrificed practicality for style. While a minivan could offer more practical space, the Traverse held its own as a rugged alternative.

With rear seats folded, the Passport offered an impressive 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space, reducing to 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of space was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim came with a power liftgate, and the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

Passport’s upright seating position provided excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road. The center console featured a deep storage bin and an open cargo tray below the shifter and cupholders, while the doors offered deep pockets.

The rear seats were very accommodating, offering ample headroom and legroom with the added ability to recline and slide, enhancing passenger comfort significantly.

The base infotainment system on the Traverse featured a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless versions available in the 2022 update. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system.

While competitors like Ford and Toyota offered larger screens, the 8-inch screen in the Traverse RS was satisfactory, thanks to its large smartphone-like icons and user-friendly interface. The Traverse also retained analog controls for audio volume and climate, which many appreciated for their simplicity.

The analog instrument cluster was supplemented by a small LCD screen and, while not as tech-savvy as digital options, it remained functional. The optional rearview camera mirror provided a clear view, eliminating rear blind spots caused by design elements, and an HD surround-view camera system offered ease in parking.

Standard USB ports across all trim levels ensured connectivity for all passengers, but wireless phone charging was exclusive to the Premier and High Country trims.

For 2021, Honda enhanced the Passport’s technology by making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, featured in the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering an advantage over the Pilot, which required higher trims for these features.

However, the Passport’s infotainment system was critiqued for its dated graphics, clunky menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these issues, the inclusion of a volume dial was welcomed, a feature sometimes missed in competitors' offerings.

The 2021 Chevy Traverse earned top “Good” scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the top “Superior” rating for its front-crash prevention technology. However, headlight ratings ranged from “Acceptable” to “Poor,” and it received an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, comprising four stars in frontal and rollover tests and five stars in side-impact tests.

Chevy lagged in providing standard driver-assist features compared to competitors. For instance, adaptive cruise control was only standard on the High Country trim, while rivals like the Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, and Toyota Highlander had more comprehensive standard safety packages. Optional safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Honda Passport brought significant standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors.

The Passport received an overall five-star rating from NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it top “Good” ratings in most crash tests but an “Acceptable” rating in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test, and for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use. It also received a second-tier “Advanced” rating for its front crash prevention technology.