2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

Two very popular midsize SUVs on the market are the Honda Passport and Nissan Pathfinder. These rival crossovers offer a smorgasbord of features and have ranked quite highly among critics. However, between the 2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, which one should you consider when it's time to visit a dealership near you? Both SUVs come in multiple trim formats with plenty of interior amenities and the latest in infotainment and safety technology, exemplifying why both midsize SUVs are as popular as they are on the market. This article will break down the pros and cons in the battle between these two popular midsize models and discuss what you get with both SUVs as well as what you can expect as far as features, power, and handling is concerned.

Both the 2021 Honda Passport and 2022 Nissan Pathfinder are powered by standard 3.5L V6 engines. With 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, the Honda V6 manages to propel the Passport from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 6.2 seconds flat, making it one of the zippier crossover SUVs on the market. This achievement is made possible thanks in part to technology like the i-VTM4 Variable Torque Management, which automatically controls and distributes torque to each of the wheels via the all-wheel drive system. This ensures that the Passport has maximum grip across a wide variety of different road surfaces.

The horsepower is also optimized through Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control system, also known as the i-VTEC technology. This variable valve timing system allows the Passport to get more lift on the valves as more power is required from the engine, which means more air entering the cylinder, which equates to better compression, which in turn allows for the engine to produce more torque. In short, the more power you require from the Passport, the more power it produces to achieve what you expect from it.

Thanks to the MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension with electronic power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, the Passport is built upon a well-designed structure that enables it to maintain stability on the road and provide drivers with responsive handling. With the standard all-season tires, you always have control over the Passport, not only being able to manage great acceleration and praise-worthy top speeds, but the vehicle is designed to handle well at all times, too.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is also powered by a 3.5-liter V6, specifically an engine that delivers 284 horsepower and up to 259 pound-feet of torque. The Pathfinder is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations and delivers the torque through a 9-speed automatic transmission, very similar to the 2021 Honda Passport.

The Intelligent 4x4 proprietary system for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder enables drivers to select from seven different drive modes based on the road conditions and weather. The system dynamically alters how the Pathfinder handles rain, sleet, snow, gravel, mud, dirt, or asphalt so that you always have control of the vehicle and that it maintains intelligent traction control.

The Pathfinder may have a few extra horses, but the extra torque in the 2021 Honda Passport is utilized with near pitch-perfect precision, earning it the sort of acceleration that many drivers have come to appreciate. The Passport also makes full use of the V6 in ways that you may not have expected from a midsize crossover SUV, giving it an edge over its Pathfinder rival.

One of the biggest benefits of owning an SUV is being able to store more cargo and ferry more passengers around town than a typical sedan or pickup truck. Their crossover capability with off-road capabilities also makes them useful for family outings, gatherings, vacations, and travel ventures. You need to be able to store a lot in the cabin while also still leaving room for passengers to sit comfortably during excursions.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder features third-row seating options for up to eight passengers, but it comes at the expense of cargo capacity. While it may be able to seat more people, it also only leaves you room for 16.6-cubic feet of cargo space. You can attempt to fold down the third row for extra space, bringing the cargo volume up to 45-cubic feet. With the second and third rows folded, you can gain up to 80.5-cubic feet of cargo volume within the Pathfinder, which is quite impressive for as much as they have packed into the cabin.

However, the 2021 Honda Passport offers an even more spacious interior cabin. It seats up to five passengers across two rows, including front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. Since it doesn't have the third-row to limit the amount of interior cargo space made available for occupants, you gain 5.5-cubic feet of additional space with the Passport over the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, with up to 50.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Passport allows you to make further use of the interior cabin design if you opt to fold the second-row seats, where you can gain up to a maximum of 100.8 cubic feet of cargo volume. This allows you to store all sorts of items, luggage, packages, and travel gear within the Passport, without worrying about whether or not all of it will fit.

In total, you have up to 115.9-cubic feet of passenger volume available to move around within the 2021 Honda Passport, which provides 59.1-inches of hip room at the front of the cabin and 57.3-inches of hip room at the rear. Occupants can also move around and stretch their arms with 62-inches of shoulder room in the front and 61.9-inches of shoulder room in the rear. Finally, the Passport has 40.9-inches of legroom in the front and 39.6-inches of legroom in the rear.

While the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder offers third-row seating for more passengers, it comes at the cost of having less interior volume space that can be utilized by occupants. This means less cargo volume and less overall passenger volume. If you want that extra legroom and the ability to store more items in the cabin, the 2021 Honda Passport provides plenty of space in spades.

Crossover SUVs have been pushing technology forward in the market, not only when it comes to infotainment and convenience but also safety and driver assistance as well. Many standard and available technology features can help make or break the driving (or passenger) experience for today's generation of crossover SUVs.

In the case of the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, the entire midsize SUV has been revamped for the new model year, which includes a complete overhaul of the technology suite available in the front of the cabin. This now includes a standard 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center dashboard, the availability of optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless support, as well as wireless charging.

You will need access to the higher-end trims of the 2022 Pathfinder for features like the premium Bose surround sound system, parking assist camera view, and Wi-Fi hotspot support for device connectivity. What does come standard with the 2022 Nissan SUV is a 7.0-inch driver digital display cluster with additional heads-up display information to ensure drivers keep their eyes on the road at all times. The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder also comes equipped with the Safety Shield 360 suite of driver assists and safety features, including lane departure warnings, cross traffic alerts, and automatic braking with pedestrian detection.

The 2021 Honda Passport makes safety and technology one and the same with a comprehensive suite of safety features that includes everything from a Collision Mitigation Braking System, SmartVent airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control, and seat belt reminders to a Lane Keeping Assist System, Auto High-Beam Headlights, and a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth with the HandsFreeLink for audio streaming across smart devices. You also have easy access to apps and media via a standard 8-inch customizable touchscreen with a high-resolution electrostatic design. Wi-Fi hotspot compatibility is available, along with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System and hands-free, voice-activated input control. While both midsize crossover SUVs have a great set of technology available for drivers and passengers, the 2021 Honda Passport makes many of the latest connectivity and safety features standard for all trims, which certainly helps add more value to its initial asking price.

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^[a] MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1120 destination charge and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $395 charge for select premium colors. $395 charge only applies to 2021 models.
^[b] 20 city/25 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 19 city/24 highway/21 combined mpg rating for AWD trims. Based on 2021 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.