2021 Honda Pilot vs Passport

The Honda Pilot and Passport offer drivers an array of indispensable features such as style, safety and convenience. While they may appear to be quite similar at first glance, a closer look reveals exclusive elements that make them stand out - the most obvious being row configuration; The Pilot has three rows while the Passport offers two. Delve into this overview for more insight on how these SUVs differ from one another!

Size and Styling

At 196.5 inches, the Pilot is a full six inches longer than its sibling model - the Passport. The two are equal in width and wheelbase, yet their differences become apparent when ground clearance comes into play: with an extra inch of height on-board over its counterpart, tackling obstacles is much less problematic for passengers of the Passport vehicle.

The Honda Pilot boasts a larger frame than the Passport, which results in more interior space overall. Even though both offer 40.9 inches of legroom in their front rows, passengers can expect one extra inch of second row room with the Passport (39.6). However, what makes this sporty ride truly unique is its third-row seating capability; at 31.9 inches it may not be spacious for all riders but perfect to transport smaller ones comfortably around town!

In terms of cargo space, the Pilot is obviously going to have more capacity. Its total capacity is 83.9 cubic feet. The Passport still has a lot of space, with a maximum cargo capacity of 77.7 cubic feet.

The Passport and Pilot offer a range of cargo-carrying options to fit your needs. The spacious cargo area in the back of the second row Passport has an impressive volume at 41.2 cubic feet - about equivalent to two large suitcases! If you need even more room, it's no problem with either vehicle; their split-bench configurations allow for easy seat folding so that when all three rows are put down there is up to 47 cubic feet available - almost as much space as some sedans!

The Pilot offers customers the choice between a roomy and comfortable bench seat or captain's chairs in its middle row. Those seeking extra ease of accessibility may opt for removing one passenger seat, bringing total seating down to seven but making it easier than ever before to climb into that back row. The higher trims come with captains' chairs as standard—demonstrating how popular this setup really is!

The Honda Pilot and Passport are practically twins, with their matching boxy frames and rugged look. Both feature LED headlights, rear privacy glass, remote entry - plus an available moonroof for that extra touch of luxury. The only minor difference lies in the side mirror design; the Passport mirrors come standardly black while those on a Pilot match its body colorings. As another bonus exclusive to the former vehicle model is tilt-down side mirrors when reversing – perfect for pinning down precision maneuvering!

Drivability

Armed with a V6 engine of 3.5 liters, these two SUVs can unleash an extraordinary 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque - providing the necessary punch to tow heavy loads up to 5,000 pounds effortlessly! Boasting such power under its hood, this vehicle will help you conquer any terrain or task that comes your way.

Honda has outfitted the V6 with a state-of-the art nine speed automatic transmission, delivering an exceptional driving experience. Paddle shifters come standard to give drivers ultimate control at their fingertips whenever they so choose - making your ride truly responsive and enjoyable.

Driving performance is a top priority on the Hondas 2021 Pilot and Passport. Both models offer exceptional handling with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, depending on which trim you choose - for example, most trims of the Pilot can be set up to feature either type of drivetrain while both Elite trims come standard with AWD. With these vehicles by your side, no terrain will stand in your way!

If one of these SUVS can direct power to all four of its wheels, it'll have Intelligent Traction Management. This program comes with three settings to choose from: Snow, Sand, and Mud. Drivers can then optimize how their vehicles perform, according to the off-road conditions that they may be facing. Even if a Pilot or Passport has front-wheel drive, it would have Snow mode just in case it has to deal with slippery roads. Snow mode and front-wheel drive doesn't compare to having all-wheel drive, but it's certainly better than nothing.

The Honda Pilot and Passport come with an array of features to make your driving experience a little more convenient. Enjoy the peace and quiet each ride offers thanks in part to Active Noise Cancellation technology, or kickstart it from afar using their remote engine start feature! Need help on hills? The Hill Start Assist holds pressure on brakes after stopping—it's like having an extra set of hands! And when you're looking for ways to conserve fuel, you can take advantage of Eco Assist mode too.

Whether you're looking for power or efficiency, both the Honda Pilot and Passport have something to offer. With a slight design tweak, these two SUVs deliver different fuel economies; The Pilot edges out its counterpart with an estimated 20/27 (city/highway) mpg compared to the Passport's 20/25 rating. However, if you opt for all-wheel drive on either model your mileage will decrease - 19mpg city / 26 highway in case of the former and 19 mpg city / 24 highway regarding latter.

Comfort, Options and Performance

These two models mostly have the same convenient amenities. Honda thought of its busy customers when designing these vehicles, so they have various storage compartments, numerous beverage holders, interior lighting, tri-zone climate control, and bag hooks and tie-down anchors in the rear cargo areas. Many trims of both models can have auto-dimming rearview mirrors with HomeLink technology, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and ambient lighting.

Compared with luxury SUVS made by other companies, some things might be lacking. For instance, there isn't the option to get one of these models with a digital rearview mirror, customizable ambient lighting, or heated steering wheels. It seems that Honda is all about practicality, at least with these vehicles.

That being said, there are some nice options for seating. The highest trims of the Pilot and Passport have perforated leather seats, with the front rows being heated and ventilated so that people can stay comfortable in any weather. Even the second-row seats are heated. These vehicles have memory systems that can remember two favored positions for the driver's seat, and the front-passenger's seat can be power-adjusted just like the driver's seat can.

Mid-level trims have leather upholstery to add to their sophistication, and they have heated front seats. The memory system that was just described can actually be found in several trims of the Pilot and Passport. For households in which there are multiple drivers, this feature can be very convenient.

Lower trims of the Pilot and Passport are fairly basic in their offerings. They have fabric upholstery and manually adjustable front seats. However, the base trim of the Passport has a one-touch fold-down second row to make quick work of rearranging the cabin. This element isn't found on the base trim of the Pilot, but it is integrated into all of the other trims.

When it comes to technology, the Honda Pilot and Passport do not share the same features. The base trim of the Pilot only has a five-inch color LCD screen with Bluetooth for hands-free calls and music streaming. On top of that, every single trim level of the Passport offers an impressive eight-inch touchscreen along with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility - this is also available on higher trims in other Pilots models. This high resolution electrostatic touchscreen allows you to customize your car's settings whilst offering quick response times between actions – perfect if you're looking for something user friendly!

On almost all of the trims of the Pilot and Passport, there is SiriusXM Satellite Radio, as well as HD Radio, to give people access to dozens of radio stations. Higher trims can have wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and premium sound systems with 10 speakers.

Whether you're headed off on an adventure in one of Honda's Passport trims or Pilot models, the integrated navigation system can be a lifesaver! With its satellite-links and HD Digital Traffic alert feature, getting lost is no longer a worry - just program your destination and get going!

The top three trims of the Pilot have even more to appreciate. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition all have rear entertainment systems. These consist of 10.2-inch high-resolution screens, wireless headphones, and Blu-Ray players. Kids, or people of any age for that matter, can enjoy movies, shows, and other types of media. The entertainment system has some built-in streaming apps and HDMI inputs as well. For families with young children, this is going to be an attractive feature that can really come in handy on long road trips.

These three trims can also have in-cabin PA systems. This would allow the driver to speak to the passengers in the back more clearly. The voice can be broadcast through the speakers and wireless headphones that may be in use.

Safety

Honda provides comprehensive safety technology in both their Pilot and Passport models, granting drivers advanced sensing capabilities that can detect potential threats on the road. These alert systems enable them to modify circumstances before it's too late - making Honda vehicles a beacon of protective driving excellence!

Driving just got a whole lot smarter with these SUVs! Not only do all trims have automatic high beams to better illuminate dark roads, but select trims will even take extra precautions for you. With advanced sensors that warn and react when the vehicle is moving too quickly or veering off-center, plus blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert features - your rides are sure to be safer than ever before!

Other standard elements are rearview cameras with guidelines to assist with parking, traction control, and LED daytime running lights. Considering all the passengers that would possibly be sitting in these vehicles, Honda installed numerous airbags in strategic locations in the cabins of the Pilot and Passport.

Which Model to Choose?

Since they have the same engines, there isn't going to be a distinction between how these models handle themselves. Also, they have the same safety packages and almost the same interior features. This means that potential customers will likely be using interior space and minor differences in technology as they figure out which models would be best.

Honda offers plenty of choice when it comes to their Pilot and Passport models, allowing customers the ability to select from a variety of trims. Whether you need seating for up to eight passengers or crave more legroom in an interior cabin, Honda has got you covered!
When considering the two sports utilities, price can be a deciding factor. The top of the line Pilot offers much more than its Passport counterpart - boasting stylish extras and advanced technology packages that make it worth every penny.

On the lower end of the spectrum, the two models are priced at almost the same level. The Honda Pilot, which notably doesn't have a touchscreen, costs $32,550, and the Honda Passport costs $32,790. Mid-level trims of Pilot are slightly more expensive than those of the Passport. Basically, potential buyers will have to decide whether the third row of the Pilot justifies the extra expense.