2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it defied easy categorization, fitting into mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models and the off-road-ready Trailhawk. The Summit trim, with its Premium Plus Appearance Group, enhanced the vehicle's premium look, while the interior boasted premium leather, genuine wood, and a luxurious feel. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's new styling aimed to give it a tougher look, with the TrailSport trim adding off-road appeal. The TrailSport, while more about looks than capability, offered 20.5 cm of ground clearance and traction management modes for various conditions. The Passport's trim levels included the base Sport, TrailSport, and upscale Touring, with prices ranging from $45,570 to $52,170. The TrailSport trim featured unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates, enhancing its SUV appearance. Inside, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with quality materials, orange contrast stitching, and ample storage. The cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 2,818 kilograms and provided a satisfying driving experience. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine produced 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain traction management made the Grand Cherokee capable off-road. The Summit trim offered a comfortable and responsive ride, though it could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 provided smooth and strong performance, with a fuel efficiency rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Passport's AWD system, i-VTM4, featured mechanical torque vectoring, delivering power to the rear wheels as needed. While the Passport excelled on roads and highways, its off-road capabilities were limited. The SUV offered a firm and communicative ride, with good steering and handling. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents, affecting confidence.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system. The rear seat provided comfort but limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space measured 1,028 litres behind the rear seat and 1,934 litres with the seats folded down, though interior storage was limited.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and a sense of openness. Storage options were plentiful, with a large centre console and door panel shelving. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The system included a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and SiriusXM services. The Summit trim boasted a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee was not technologically advanced, it offered essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured navigation and a 10-speaker audio system. The system lacked a stereo tuning knob, but wireless smartphone charging was standard in most trims. The Passport's technology was basic but functional, with room for improvement.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its IIHS ratings were less favourable, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some functions were less refined, leading to driver frustration. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in frontal impacts. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection in small overlap collisions.