2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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 that Honda also used for the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot three-row 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, which was applied across all three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring. The TrailSport trim, in particular, was introduced to appeal to those interested in off-road exploration, although its enhancements were more aesthetic than functional.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple lines. While it didn't cater to those seeking flashy luxury, it offered subtle elegance with options like Eiger Grey paint and silver 23-inch wheels. Inside, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated luxury with a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme and premium materials. The model was available in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The Range Rover Sport featured advanced design elements like premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic efficiency.

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. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system could deliver 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, with wheel articulation being a concern. The SUV's brakes, however, showed signs of heating and vibration during mountain descents, which was a drawback considering its 2,268-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, providing 434 horsepower. The Range Rover Sport's performance was impressive, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. The SUV's adaptive damping air suspension and advanced driving modes contributed to its refined ride and handling. However, it didn't match the sportiness of competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz in twisty conditions. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with its advanced suspension and impressive ground clearance.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with its large doors and low step-in height. Inside, it featured spacious and comfortable seating with leather upholstery and heated front seats. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample storage options and a generous cargo space of 1,430 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,854 litres with the back seat folded down. The SUV's practicality and comfort made it a convenient choice for daily use.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with Windsor leather upholstery and 20-way power adjustments. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured thoughtful storage solutions, but the rear seat's design and narrow door openings were drawbacks.

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 and a premium audio system. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base trim.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport featured impressive Meridian audio systems and an Active Noise Cancellation system, enhancing the driving 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. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, some driver-assist functions were less refined, and the lane-departure warning system was intrusive. The Passport received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with some areas for improvement.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured a surround-view camera system, Wade Sensing, and Remote Park Assist. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were not as smooth as expected, and the steering assist struggled on highway curves.