2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Honda Passport

The 2024 Acura MDX presented a striking exterior with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and modern intake vents, creating a refined presence. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but somewhat cluttered, with a centre console filled with controls that could be overwhelming at first. The MDX offered several trims, including the A-Spec and Platinum Elite, with the Type S Ultra being the top-tier model. Standard features included tri-zone climate control, a panoramic moonroof, and heated seats, with ambient lighting options increasing with higher trims. The Type S Ultra stood out with its 25-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, providing a luxurious experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport maintained a familiar design, with only minor updates since 2022. It featured a more upright grille and squared-off corners, but largely retained the previous generation's look. The Passport offered three trims: Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all equipped with AWD and a power moonroof. The TrailSport trim was designed for ruggedness, with all-terrain tires and roof rails, but lacked some off-road features like metal skid plates. Inside, the Passport had a simple, utilitarian design with physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen, complemented by black leather upholstery with orange stitching in the TrailSport trim.

The 2024 Acura MDX was powered by a standard 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Type S Ultra variant featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s SH-AWD system. The MDX Type S Ultra offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and Brembo brakes enhancing its performance. The Integrated Dynamics System provided various driving modes, including Sport+ and Lift mode, while the MDX's towing capacity reached 2,268 kg.

The 2024 Honda Passport, on the other hand, was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered decent acceleration, though peak torque required higher RPMs. The TrailSport trim featured wider tracks and off-road-tuned suspension, with Honda’s iVTM4 AWD system and a traction-management system enhancing its capabilities. Despite some road noise at highway speeds, the Passport's steering was well-balanced, and its towing capacity matched the MDX at 2,268 kg.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with three rows of seating, though the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was generous, with a maximum of 2,690 litres available with the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured a hands-free power liftgate and a centre console with ample storage, though the centre stack of controls was somewhat cluttered. The Type S Ultra's second-row bench included a fold-down centre console with cupholders, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 2,854 litres with the rear seats folded. The Passport comfortably accommodated five adults, with ample cupholders and a redesigned centre console for increased storage. The front-seat environment was slightly less airy due to the new console design, but overall, the Passport provided a practical and spacious interior.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was a notable drawback, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The centre console featured cleverly placed charging ports, though the overall system was less user-friendly compared to competitors like the Genesis GV80.

The 2024 Honda Passport featured an 8-inch touchscreen, which felt small given the cabin's size. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The system's navigation software had some quirks, with turn-by-turn directions frequently occupying the driver’s display. The TrailSport's seven-speaker audio system was underwhelming, with better options available in other vehicles.

The 2024 Acura MDX was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. It earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. However, the infotainment system's design posed a distraction risk.

The 2024 Honda Passport included standard safety features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Passport received lower ratings from IIHS, with an "Acceptable" rating in the passenger-side small overlap crash test and a "Marginal" rating in the updated side-impact tests. NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, but with four stars in frontal and rollover tests.