2024 Honda Passport vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its familiar design, despite Honda's recent updates to other models in its lineup. While it received some tweaks in 2022, such as a more upright grille and squared-off corners, the overall look remained consistent with Honda’s previous-generation designs. The Passport offered three trim levels in Canada: Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all equipped with a power moonroof, identical touchscreens, and all-wheel drive. The TrailSport trim, designed to be the most rugged, featured genuine all-terrain tires and standard roof rails and LED fog lights in Canada. However, its rugged appearance was more aesthetic than functional, with plastic skid plates and no recovery points. Inside, the Passport featured old-school physical controls, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a simple, utilitarian design with black leather upholstery and orange accents in the TrailSport trim.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. Its sculptural sheet metal and athletic stance contributed to a premium look. Inside, the CX-90 continued this upscale theme with polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and clearly marked switchgear. However, the ergonomics were less impressive, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these issues, the CX-90 stood out for its sophistication compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs. The interior was elegantly rendered, though some materials reflected the vehicle's price point.

The 2024 Honda Passport was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided adequate acceleration and smooth gear shifts. However, the lack of turbocharging meant peak torque arrived at 4,700 RPM, requiring higher revs for quick acceleration. The Passport's fuel economy was rated at 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.8 on the highway, and 11.3 combined. The TrailSport trim featured wider tracks, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and a suspension tuned for off-road driving. All Passports came with Honda’s torque-vectoring iVTM4 AWD system and a traction-management system with various settings. The Passport's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offered three powertrain variants, including a turbocharged 3.3-litre inline-six engine. The standard-output version produced 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version delivered 319 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard AWD system, which biased power to the rear wheels for better dynamics. The CX-90's towing capacity matched the Passport at 2,268 kilograms. Fuel economy was rated at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined for the standard engine and 9.5 for the high-output version. The plug-in hybrid variant offered 42 kilometres of electric range and a combined rating of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres once the battery was depleted. Despite impressive ride and handling, the CX-90's drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behaviour, especially when cold.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 2,854 litres with the rear seats folded. This made it the cargo capacity leader in its segment. 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 2025 Mazda CX-90, in Signature trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The second-row captain’s chairs offered comfort but limited seat-track travel, making it challenging to install rear-facing child seats. The third row was best suited for children. The CX-90's cargo space was 451 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,155 litres with the third row folded and 2,129 litres with the second row down. Storage options were limited, with a focus on style over practicality.

The 2024 Honda Passport featured an 8-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to competitors. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system had sharp resolution and quick response, but the navigation display was intrusive during city driving. The TrailSport trim's seven-speaker audio system was underwhelming compared to upgraded systems in other vehicles.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's Signature trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment system was touch-sensitive only with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. The voice recognition system was subpar, but a new Google built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The CX-90 featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display, providing a rewarding listening experience and helpful driving information.

The 2024 Honda Passport came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. However, it received mixed crash test ratings, with an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but lower scores in specific tests.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of the few midsize SUVs to earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It offered a long list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids were effective, though some features, like the speed reduction system, could be irritating.