2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the front 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 seating, and featured a more rugged styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, which was applied across all three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring. The TrailSport trim, in particular, was introduced to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, offering a more capable appearance with unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and elegance with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. The SUV's stately presence was enhanced by its nearly 5-metre length and the Prestige trim's 22-inch alloy wheels. The rear design echoed the front's quad-lamp look, and the matte Brunswick Green paint added a touch of elegance. Inside, the GV80 continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, metal and matte wood trim, and a unique two-spoke steering wheel. The interior was spacious and luxurious, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash.

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 felt more powerful than its ratings suggested, delivering a combined fuel economy of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, distributing 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 athletic handling, its off-road capabilities were limited, and the brakes could become less reliable on mountain descents.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The GV80 was not particularly nimble, taking around 5.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h, but it excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions. The active noise cancellation further enhanced the quiet and comfortable highway experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured 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 spacious interior provided ample room for passengers and generous cargo space, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded down. The SUV's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxurious features. Standard amenities included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Ergo driver's seat offered fatigue-reducing adjustments, and the Nappa leather seats were sumptuous. The GV80's cargo space was impressive, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded down. The SUV's towing capacity was 2,720 kilograms, making it a versatile option for those needing extra utility.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim included a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky compared to Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control offered a tactile experience. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though neither was wireless. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside, adding a touch of futuristic convenience.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories but fell short in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it highly, though it received an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was packed with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster, enhancing safety. The GV80's Highway Drive Assist offered hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a full five-star safety rating, while the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.