2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a rectangular grille but introduced softer lines, increased chrome accents, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined and thoughtfully arranged cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport adopted a more rugged and assertive design, closely resembling the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. Sharing a platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, the Passport was essentially a shorter, two-row version of the Pilot with distinct styling. The new TrailSport trim aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, offering a more adventurous look with unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates. Inside, the Passport boasted a spacious and comfortable cabin with quality materials and thoughtful design elements, such as orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The Passport's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, making it an ideal choice for families and road trips.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the XC90's power was impressive, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90's drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—offered varying levels of efficiency and power, but the Pure mode was limited to low-speed use. Despite these limitations, the XC90 excelled in luxury, offering a smooth ride and quiet cabin, with a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

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 engine was smooth and responsive, providing satisfying acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system offered mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing traction and handling. While the Passport was capable off-road, it was more suited to everyday driving, offering athletic handling and a comfortable ride. However, the brakes could become less confidence-inspiring on mountain descents. The Passport's towing capacity matched the XC90 at 2,268 kilograms, but its driving dynamics and comfort made it a strong contender for daily use.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six- or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across its three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power sunroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate added convenience.

The 2022 Honda Passport provided easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample room for passengers and generous storage options, including a massive centre console bin. Cargo space was impressive, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the back seat folded. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system was easy to use, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal analog controls. However, the text and typeface could be challenging to read while driving, and the wireless charging pad was not compatible with most phones.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met modern standards but was due for an upgrade. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system's navigation was clunky, but Apple CarPlay and Siri provided a smoother experience. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base Sport trim, but the Passport's technology was not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some functions were less refined, with lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist drawing negative attention. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in frontal impacts and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection in small overlap collisions.