2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport bore 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 version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a more rugged appearance, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which was intended to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. However, the TrailSport was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability, although it did offer some enhancements like increased ground clearance and traction management modes for various terrains.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder continued its modern design from the previous year's redesign, blending traditional SUV elements with futuristic touches. Its exterior featured angular lines and distinctive headlights, while the interior offered a clean and practical layout. The Pathfinder's design was intended to remain relevant for years, with a focus on functionality and ease of use. The Rock Creek trim added a rugged flair with off-road enhancements and unique styling elements, making it suitable for both trail adventures and everyday use. The Pathfinder's interior was spacious and versatile, accommodating up to eight passengers with various seating configurations and ample storage options.

The 2022 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It featured Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport offered a smooth and responsive driving experience, with a firm ride and agile handling. However, its brakes could become less reassuring on long descents, and it lacked a surround-view camera system for tight parking situations. The Passport's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds).

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder also featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, with the Rock Creek trim offering a slight power boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. It used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, with a rotary drive mode dial for various driving conditions. The Pathfinder's ride was comfortable on trails but could be rougher on paved roads due to its off-road tires. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms (6,000 pounds) for most trims, except the base model. The Pathfinder's new shifter design was less intuitive, but its drive mode dial was user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered a spacious interior with large, comfortable seats and a low step-in height. It featured leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard, with additional amenities like ventilated front seats in the Touring trim. The Passport's second-row passengers enjoyed ample space and a pleasant seating position, while the cargo area provided 1,430 litres of space behind the rear seats and up to 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport's interior was practical, with numerous storage compartments and a user-friendly layout.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, and 1,274 litres with the second row in use. It offered comfortable seating for the first two rows, with the third row suitable for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder had 12 cupholders and multiple storage compartments, making it convenient for families. The Rock Creek trim's roof rack was functional, supporting up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with 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 was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was cumbersome to use. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with larger 9-inch screens on higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. The SL trim added wireless charging, while the SV trim introduced a third-row USB port. The Pathfinder's infotainment system was user-friendly, though some might find the graphics dated. It offered essential connectivity features, keeping devices charged and connected.

The 2022 Honda Passport was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, which included 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 beams. However, some driver-assist features were less refined, and the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SV trim added front parking sensors and a 360-degree parking monitor, while the SL trim introduced traffic-sign recognition. The Pathfinder's ProPilot Assist system included lane centring and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS awarded the Pathfinder a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the NHTSA had not completed full testing for the 2023 model.