2023 BMW X7 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance to 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 Pilot without a third row, featuring a more rugged design. Honda's updated styling aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which added off-road appeal. The TrailSport, along with the EX-L and Elite trims, featured new wheel designs and other aesthetic enhancements.

The TrailSport trim was designed to attract those interested in off-road adventures, though it was more about appearance than capability. It came with standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management modes for various conditions. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and ambient lighting in the TrailSport. Prices ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, with the TrailSport model tested at $44,095.

The 2023 BMW X7 underwent a mid-cycle makeover, adopting a bolder front design similar to the BMW 7 Series sedan. The new styling, with LED accent lights and a recessed headlight design, was polarizing, especially with the oversized kidney grille. The X7's sides and rear remained largely unchanged, offering two design themes: Design Pure Excellence with chrome trim and M Sport with a dark finish. The interior received a refresh, featuring a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, and a new gear selector.

Interior materials were of premium quality, with leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. The X7's cabin was well-built, with no creaks on bumpy roads, and offered a modern, elegant appearance. Despite the controversial exterior, the interior updates were well-received, providing a blend of luxury and functionality.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with the latter standard on TrailSport and Elite trims. The V6 was smooth and responsive, with the Passport achieving 22 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing traction on various terrains.

The Passport excelled on roads with its firm ride and athletic handling, though its brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents. It offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity but lacked a surround-view camera system. Overall, the Passport was a capable and enjoyable drive, though not suited for extreme off-road conditions.

The 2023 BMW X7 started with the xDrive40i model, featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The M60i model upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well, with potent acceleration from the V8. The ride was slightly firm, reflecting BMW's focus on driver engagement. The X7 offered a good balance of performance and comfort, with well-managed body roll and a composed ride.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a triple-zone climate control system. The Passport provided generous storage, with a large center console and 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 BMW X7 provided ample space, especially in the second row, with a large sunroof enhancing the airy feel. Accessing the third row required time due to the power-operated middle row, but it offered adequate space for average-sized adults. Cargo space was 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.6 cubic feet with it stowed, and 90.4 cubic feet with the middle seats folded. The X7 featured a split tailgate and a button to lower the suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite offered a 10-speaker premium sound system and WiFi hotspot. The system was functional but not advanced, with some clunky navigation features. Wireless smartphone charging was standard.

The 2023 BMW X7 featured the latest iDrive system, which was less intuitive than previous versions. Many functions moved to the infotainment screen, complicating basic operations like seat adjustments. Voice commands were available but interrupted audio playback. The system lacked physical buttons for frequently used features, making it less user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Passport included Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, some features like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist were intrusive. The Passport received five-star NHTSA ratings, except for four stars in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 BMW X7 lacked crash test results but offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive headlights. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera and highway driving assist, which performed well without false alarms.