2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was marked by a few unique features, such as the grille opening and some chromed plastic elements, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of grey, black, and white, with only a couple of more vibrant options like blue and red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were noted for offering more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its front-end styling with the Honda Ridgeline, giving it a more rugged and assertive appearance. This design choice was part of Honda's strategy to make the Passport look tougher and more adventurous. The Passport was available in three trim levels in Canada: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring, each featuring new wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, in particular, aimed to appeal to those interested in off-road exploration, though it was more about appearance than actual capability. The Passport's design updates were applied across all trims, and the TrailSport introduced unique elements like 18-inch alloy wheels and a purposeful roof rack, enhancing its SUV-like presence.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower. This powertrain was consistent across all five trims, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CR-V's acceleration was smooth and steady, taking about 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive, with no significant advantage for rivals in terms of acceleration. The CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the LX trim and standard on others. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, providing decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The V6 engine was praised for its smooth performance, and the Passport's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving. The Passport's AWD system, known as i-VTM4, featured mechanical torque vectoring, capable of directing up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. While the Passport excelled on paved roads with its firm ride and athletic handling, its off-road capabilities were limited, with wheel articulation being a concern. The Passport's brakes, however, were noted for heating up and vibrating during mountain descents, which could be a concern for towing.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, from manual to hands-free power operation. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Inside, it featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample room for rear passengers and plenty of storage options. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and up to 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while the Touring trim featured a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The CR-V EX-L and higher trims included Sirius XM and HD radio, with satellite navigation available on the Touring and Black Edition trims. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports and a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Satellite radio was available on the TrailSport trim, while the Touring trim added a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Passport's infotainment system was functional but could benefit from an upgrade. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim, and the system's simplicity was appreciated by some users.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not achieve the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in headlight evaluation and the updated side crash test. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring was standard on the Sport trim and higher.

The 2022 Honda Passport also featured the Honda Sensing suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, some elements of the system were less refined, with lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist functions drawing negative attention. The Passport received five-star NHTSA ratings in most areas but earned four stars for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.