2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2019 Honda Passport

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee exemplified a design that aged remarkably well despite its decade-old roots. Its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and variety of aluminum wheel designs illustrated a meticulous attention to balance, proportion, and detail. Even the base model, the Laredo, priced at $31,945 plus a significant $1,495 destination charge, exuded a rugged elegance. Opting for the essential 4-wheel drive (4WD) feature added another $2,000. The Grand Cherokee lineup extended to 11 additional trims, each catering to different preferences — from the stylish Altitude to the luxury-oriented Summit, and the performance-focused Trackhawk priced over $100,000.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda Passport derived its looks from the longer Pilot, retaining similar doors, windshield, and hood. However, the Passport was about an inch and a half taller and had a nearly 1-inch lift in ride height. Its broader, boxier appearance with blacked-out grille, restyled front bumper, and chunky proportions evoked an old-school SUV charm. Standard black 20-inch wheels and gloss-black mirrors further differentiated it from the Pilot. Inside, it mirrored the Pilot with an upright dash, digital instrument panel, and touchscreen controls. Fit and finish were solid, even better than some entry-level luxury crossovers.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a diverse range of powertrains. Most trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower. Higher trims boasted even more power with a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, a hefty 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT, and an astonishing 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk. My Limited X test vehicle had the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its 265/50R20 all-season tires, it contended well with uneven terrains.

Jeep promised a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, but realistic figures hovered around 17.4 mpg for city-heavy driving. On the road, the Grand Cherokee felt formidable, with robust acceleration and manageable handling. Though the heavy, slow steering and the suboptimal braking during prolonged descents revealed its limitations, higher-trim models like the Trackhawk offered improved braking systems.

Conversely, the 2019 Honda Passport sported a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels, with optional all-wheel drive (AWD) available except on the Elite trim, where it was standard. The Honda Passport felt powerful and agile, with a Sport mode for enhanced performance. However, the 9-speed transmission occasionally exhibited an uncomfortable delay during manual downshifting. The Passport’s light steering and soft suspension deterred sporty driving, but it handled corners well due to mechanical torque vectoring.

The Passport’s EPA-estimated fuel economy ranged from 19 to 24 mpg, with an average of 21 mpg during mixed highway driving, reflecting its capability and power.

The interior of the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was spacious enough for a family, with comfortable, power-adjustable heated front seats. However, hard plastic front-seatback panels made the rear seats less comfortable for long-legged passengers. Storage solutions were somewhat limited, with small bins and command hooks for shopping bags being some of the highlights. Cargo space behind the rear seat offered 36.3 cubic feet, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

On the other hand, the 2019 Honda Passport excelled in interior space. It provided 41.2 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and an impressive 77.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, plus additional storage under the cargo floor. The Passport’s interior felt spacious and airy, enhanced by the high seating position. Comfort features, including heated outboard rear seats, additional USB ports, and manual window shades in the Elite trim, added to its practicality. Honda’s clever design included a deep center cubby, overhead sunglasses storage, and a straightforward, easy-to-read instrument panel.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo came equipped with a basic touchscreen infotainment system, but other trims featured a more sophisticated Uconnect system. This updated system offered a sleeker appearance, improved graphics, and faster response times, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The voice-recognition technology worked reliably, and higher trims provided premium sound systems, such as the 19-speaker Harman Kardon setup in the Trackhawk.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda Passport excelled with its tech offerings. The recommended EX-L trim included an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Garmin navigation system was noted for its accuracy and ease of use, particularly with live traffic data and auto-rerouting capability. Honda Sensing driver assists were standard across all trims, while additional features like stolen-vehicle tracking and remote unlocking were available in higher trims. However, the lack of optional tech packages for lower trims was a drawback.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a suite of modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance features, such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control with full stop. However, safety ratings were lackluster. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Grand Cherokee’s small-overlap frontal-impact protection as Marginal for the driver and Poor for the front passenger. Additionally, its 3-star rollover resistance rating by the federal government raised concerns.

The 2019 Honda Passport featured the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, offering forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring was standard on EX-L and above trims. Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn't rated the Passport overall, it received positive scores in frontal and side-impact tests. Similarly, the mechanically identical 2018 Pilot was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, albeit with some limitations.