2023 Volvo XC90 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 both vehicles sharing the same platform, which Honda also used for the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured a more rugged design. Honda's effort to give the Passport a tougher look was evident in its new nose styling, which was applied across all three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring. The TrailSport trim, in particular, was designed to appeal to those interested in off-road adventures, although it was more about aesthetics than actual capability. The Passport boasted a spacious interior, with quality materials and thoughtful assembly, making it a comfortable choice for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs, presenting a more refined and purposeful appearance. The front end was solid yet understated, with a bold grille and distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The XC90's dimensions remained somewhat rectilinear, but it was far from the utilitarian designs of the past. The Ultimate trim test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels and a sophisticated Platinum Grey paint, adding to its elegant presence. Inside, the XC90 exuded Scandinavian elegance with two-tone leather, metal speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and stylish cabin environment.

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 felt more powerful than its ratings suggested, offering a firm and communicative ride with athletic handling. The Passport's AWD system, Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4), provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. While the Passport excelled on paved roads, its off-road capabilities were limited, with wheel articulation being a concern. The SUV's brakes, however, were a point of contention, as they could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, affecting confidence.

For the 2023 Volvo XC90, Volvo introduced the B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B6 powertrain, with a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than the T6 but with improved fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, enhancing the auto stop-start technology's smoothness. The XC90 offered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. The brakes were solid and confidence-inspiring, while the XC90's handling was commendable, especially given its size. The SUV's simplicity in driving dynamics, with minimal drive modes, appealed to those seeking straightforward operation.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers, and large windows contributed to an open feel. Storage was abundant, with a massive centre console and various compartments. The cargo space was generous, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded.

In the 2023 Volvo XC90, the front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, though storage space was limited. The lack of a dedicated phone space and small centre console bin were notable drawbacks. The second row was comfortable but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 offered a seven-passenger configuration, with an option for six-passenger seating with captain's chairs. Access to the third row was difficult, and space was limited. Cargo capacity was 356 litres with the third row up, 1,183 litres with it down, and 1,856 litres with all rear seats folded, falling short compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Satellite radio was available on the TrailSport trim, while the Touring trim added a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system's interface was straightforward, with shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. The navigation system was clunky, prompting users to rely on Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertical touchscreen running Google OS, with integrated Android Auto features. Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant were standard, enhancing the user experience with natural-language recognition. The system allowed commands via Google Home devices, but the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions could be frustrating. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, which could be an adjustment for some users. Keyless entry was standard, with a head-up display as an option.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist were intrusive, leading drivers to disable them. The adaptive cruise control was not smooth in traffic, and the blind-spot monitoring light was poorly positioned. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for 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 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, with a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist was effective, providing gentle nudges and vibrations. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology helped maintain distance and speed, enhancing safety. These features were standard on the XC90, reinforcing its reputation as a safe vehicle.