2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a design that appealed to those who preferred a more conventional style in a small crossover. Its upright layout provided a commanding view of the road, and the interior featured a modern, attractive dash design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with every button and dial easy to locate. The Tucson offered a range of trims, from the base SE with 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, to the top-tier Ultimate trim, which included an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. The styling inside the cabin was nearly identical to the Pilot, including the somewhat awkward "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. The trim levels ranged from the entry-level Sport, which included 20-inch alloy wheels and tri-zone climate control, to the Elite trim, which offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims were equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier experience around town. The Tucson offered a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds for the base engine and 2,000 pounds for the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2021 Honda Passport, regardless of trim, came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power effectively. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud in the AWD model. The Passport could tow up to 3,500 pounds with FWD and up to 5,000 pounds with AWD.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it provided adequate space for weekend bags or larger items. The Tucson's interior provided solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and up to 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The Passport's upright seating position offered excellent visibility, and the center console featured a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a step forward, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics and a confusing menu layout. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, but it was a welcome inclusion given the lack of a tuning dial.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree parking monitor. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.