2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport adopted a familiar design, closely resembling the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck 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, especially with the new TrailSport trim, which added off-road appeal through visual enhancements rather than actual capability. The TrailSport trim, positioned as the mid-level version, featured unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates, contributing to its SUV-like look.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS presented a more understated luxury aesthetic in its base GLS 450 form, avoiding the flashy chrome of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. However, buyers could opt for more dramatic styling with the AMG GLS 63 or Maybach versions, which included features like flared wheel arches and chrome accents. The GLS interior, even in its basic form, exuded luxury with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, enhancing the overall upscale feel. The GLS offered a balance of luxury and subtlety, appealing to those seeking a refined yet powerful presence.

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 praised for its smooth performance, feeling more robust than its power ratings suggested. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering 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 agile handling, its off-road capabilities were limited, with wheel articulation being a concern. The SUV's brakes, although effective, could vibrate under certain conditions, affecting confidence during mountain descents.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, complemented by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This system added 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts, enhancing performance. The GLS 450's inline-six engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was seamlessly integrated. However, the air suspension, while capable of adjusting ride height, exhibited poor body control, leading to excessive motion over bumps and in corners. The GLS 450 offered a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, slightly less than some competitors, but sufficient for most needs.

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, and large windows contributed to an open feel. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and up to 2,854 litres with the back seat folded. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a user-friendly SUV.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, offering a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the bench with captain's chairs. The GLS provided excellent second-row legroom, thanks to its long wheelbase, and competitive cargo space. With all seats in place, it offered 355 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,400 litres with the second and third rows folded. The GLS featured power-folding seats and a power tailgate, enhancing convenience. However, some ergonomic issues, like the touchscreen's reach and sun visor size, were noted.

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 a navigation system, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and HondaLink connected services. The system's interface was straightforward, with shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred over the Passport's navigation system due to its clunky operation. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base Sport trim, but overall, the Passport's technology was considered basic.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS boasted the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and navigation. The system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, and steering wheel touchpads. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, understanding natural speech well. The GLS also featured augmented-reality navigation, although the embedded system occasionally suggested inefficient routes. The touchscreen and instrument cluster displayed high-quality graphics, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, 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 beams. However, some driver aids, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were criticized for being intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal collision, which earned four stars. The IIHS rated it highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Additional features included Crosswind Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, and Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control and advanced driver-assistance systems. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.