2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the front. 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, and featured distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a more rugged appearance, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. Despite its off-road-inspired looks, the TrailSport was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability, although it did offer decent ground clearance and traction management for various conditions.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 underwent subtle exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille. The top Signature trim received body-colour lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 maintained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery and real wood trim in the Signature trim. The seats were new for 2022, offering improved comfort. The CX-5's design changes aimed to enhance its premium appeal, making it a strong contender against entry-level luxury SUVs.

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, delivering satisfying acceleration. 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 i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing traction on various terrains. While the Passport excelled on roads and highways, its off-road capabilities were limited compared to more rugged SUVs. The SUV's brakes, however, showed some issues during mountain descents, affecting driver confidence.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a base Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The base engine delivered competitive performance, with a fuel consumption rating of 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged engine option provided 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas. The CX-5's driving dynamics were improved, offering a quieter and smoother ride with reduced body roll and enhanced grip. The Mi-Drive system allowed drivers to choose between Normal, Sport, and Off-Road modes, further enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Inside, it featured spacious and comfortable seating, 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 roomy, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers. Storage options were plentiful, with a large centre console and various compartments. Cargo space was generous, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and 2,854 litres with the seats folded down, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating comfort with new furnishings. The seats provided better support, and the driving position was sportier. The CX-5's interior featured leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the rear seat remained snug, though heated cushions and air vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, particularly the Mazda Connect infotainment system, was a source of frustration due to the lack of a touchscreen and natural voice recognition. Cargo space was adequate, with 871 litres behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 system's interface was straightforward, with shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but it lacked a tuning knob. The navigation system was clunky, prompting users to rely on Apple CarPlay for navigation. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base trim, but overall, the Passport's tech features were basic.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display and Bluetooth. The lack of a touchscreen and natural voice recognition made the system less user-friendly, requiring the use of centre console controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with text-messaging support and Mazda Connected Services. The CX-5 offered a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system on higher trims, providing decent audio quality. While the tech features were functional, the system's interface could benefit from improvements.

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. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, some of these systems 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 a frontal collision, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave it top ratings, except for an Acceptable rating in front-passenger protection during a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured the i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5's safety features operated smoothly, with the blind-spot warning displayed in the head-up display. The IIHS awarded the CX-5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, highlighting its strong safety performance.