2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport bore a striking resemblance to the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seat, with distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a more rugged appearance, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which was intended to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. However, the TrailSport was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability, although it did offer some enhancements like increased ground clearance and traction management modes. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements, such as orange contrast stitching and ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was available in both two-door and four-door body styles, offering a range of engine options, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Wrangler's design was iconic, with its rugged, off-road-ready appearance. The High Tide model, based on the Sport S trim, featured LED exterior lighting, a body-colour hardtop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield. The Wrangler's interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and a focus on functionality. The driving experience was unique, with a close driving position and a sense of adventure, but it came with compromises in terms of comfort and refinement.

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. In Canada, it came standard with all-wheel drive, featuring Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system. This system could deliver up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed, enhancing traction. The Passport's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the TrailSport trim averaging 11.0 L/100 km during testing. The Passport offered a firm, communicative ride and surprisingly athletic handling, making it enjoyable to drive on various road types. However, its brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern given its towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler, equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 engine and eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, delivered 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The Wrangler's fuel consumption was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 14.0 L/100 km. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with a focus on off-road capability and a sense of adventure. However, it came with compromises, such as frequent stops at the gas station, a noisy cabin, and a rough ride. The Wrangler's appeal lay in its ability to provide a singularly immersive driving experience, making it a favourite among off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy entry and exit, thanks to its large doors and low step-in height. The interior featured large, comfortable seats with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. 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 passengers and generous cargo space, measuring 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the back seat folded down. The SUV's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for daily use.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler posed challenges for entry and exit, especially with its raised suspension. The interior featured comfortable seats with durable cloth upholstery, but the driving position was close to the steering wheel and dashboard. Visibility varied, with some areas offering excellent views and others requiring adjustments. The Wrangler's storage options were limited, and the cargo space measured 898 litres behind the rear seat and 2,050 litres with the rear seat folded down. The Wrangler's design prioritized off-road capability and adventure, but it came with compromises in terms of comfort and convenience.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and HondaLink connected services. The system was functional but not particularly advanced, with some users opting for Apple CarPlay to avoid the clunky navigation system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base Sport trim.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler's infotainment system, based on the Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The larger Uconnect 8.4 system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the basic system met most needs. The Wrangler included options like remote engine starting, satellite radio, and a passive keyless entry system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, extending the open-air driving season.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, some elements of Honda Sensing were less refined, with lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist functions drawing negative attention. The Passport received five-star ratings in most NHTSA tests but earned four stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings in most areas, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, the Wrangler's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS in certain tests. The Wrangler's safety features were optional, and its design required extra care when driving.