2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport bore a striking resemblance to the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially 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, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which featured unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious interior with quality materials, and the TrailSport trim added orange stitching and ambient lighting.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, was a luxurious three-row midsize crossover with a modern Lincoln face and grille. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, with the Grand Touring model adding a hybrid system for enhanced power. The Aviator's interior was opulent, with high-end materials, massaging 30-way front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the third-row seating was cramped for adults, and the cargo space was limited when the third row was in use. The Aviator's design emphasized comfort and quietness, with features like a four-zone climate control system and ambient lighting.

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 AWD in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and responsive, and the Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided excellent traction, distributing up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport offered a firm ride and agile handling, making it enjoyable to drive on various terrains. However, the brakes could become less confident on mountain descents, and the SUV's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, delivered impressive power with 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It offered 34 kilometres of electric driving range and averaged 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The Aviator's driving modes allowed for efficient power management, and the SUV's adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride. However, the drivetrain's responsiveness was inconsistent, and the brake pedal required careful modulation. Despite its handling capabilities, the Aviator was more suited for comfortable cruising than spirited driving.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large doors and a low step-in height, making it easy to access. The interior boasted comfortable seats with leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Passport offered ample storage space, including a large centre console and generous cargo capacity, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The SUV's practicality and comfort made it a versatile choice for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized luxury and comfort, with features like a four-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, but the third-row seating was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited to 519 litres with the third row in use, expanding to 1,183 litres with the seats folded. The Aviator's interior was designed for comfort, but its practicality was compromised by the limited third-row space.

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 on all but the base trim.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator also featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and a digital key system. The technology package was comprehensive, but the infotainment system's performance was lacking.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal collision. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The system performed well on highways but was less reliable in heavy traffic. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.