2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Lexus NX

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, reminiscent of a scaled-down Pilot or an enhanced CR-V, projected a rugged and athletic vibe. The Passport's design was practical, with a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, all contributing to its robust appearance. Inside, the Passport Elite trim boasted a sophisticated cabin with a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, perforated leather seats, and a spacious layout that emphasized comfort and utility.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX carried forward Lexus's signature design elements, with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior that echoed the brand's familial look. The NX F Sport variant added sporty touches like a honeycomb grille and 18-inch wheels, enhancing its athletic stance. Inside, the NX offered a luxurious experience with quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a choice of interior color schemes. The fit and finish were impeccable, typical of Lexus, though the design of the gauge cluster and center stack felt somewhat dated compared to newer competitors. Despite this, the NX maintained a quiet cabin, isolating passengers from road and wind noise.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided ample power for various driving conditions, though its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The AWD variant offered slightly lower figures. The Passport excelled in off-road scenarios, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and drive modes like Snow, Sand, and Mud. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing many rivals.

The 2021 Lexus NX, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Its six-speed automatic transmission was adequate, though not as smooth as newer multi-speed options. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds, with F Sport models featuring Active Sound Control for enhanced engine notes. Fuel economy was decent, with FWD models achieving 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The NX's AWD system allowed up to 50% torque transfer to the rear axle, though it lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. The NX's towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, and it offered three drive modes to tailor the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Passport was praised for its practicality, offering a spacious interior with ample room for four adults. Its seats, similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, provided excellent comfort and support. The Passport excelled in cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. Features like tri-zone climate control and second-row sunshades added to passenger comfort. The Passport also offered generous small-item storage, with a large center console and additional door storage.

The 2021 Lexus NX, while stylish and comfortable, offered less cargo space, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with seats folded. The NX's interior was upscale, with available heated and ventilated seats and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Despite limited cargo capacity, the NX maintained a quiet cabin, typical of Lexus, and offered a power liftgate with kick sensor technology as an option.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a practical infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims adding a 10-speaker system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Lexus NX's infotainment system, while offering an 8-inch standard touchscreen and an optional 10.3-inch display, was less user-friendly. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its interface was cumbersome. The NX offered features like keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Navigation package added Lexus Enform Destination Assist and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system on top-tier models.

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

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, featuring lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. It also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The NX received top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided additional safety services, and the NX was backed by a comprehensive warranty.