Comparison: Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback

There are SUVs that are in their element within a city's limits, and then there are SUVs that love to play where the roads aren't paved - the Honda Passport and Subaru Outback definitely fit into the latter group.

These two popular rugged midsize SUVs are built for off-road adventures while not compromising on the comfort, convenience, and safety that we expect from a modern driving experience.

Let's take a closer look at why the 2023 Honda Passport and 2024 Subaru Outback continue to be at the top of the list for best SUVs.

       

2023 Honda Passport Comparison Highlights

The recently redesigned Honda Passport is continuing to bring a refined experience and rugged capabilities for adventure-seekers of all types. And the latest addition of an all-new Trailsport version heightens the levels of emotion and off-road prowess for the halo of Honda's light truck lineup.

Passport's long list of key features starts with the standard 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. This peppy and robust powertrain delivers highway passing or towing muscle, and links up to an available i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system with true torque vectoring for precise control and impressive off-road traction. And when road conditions suddenly change, you can activate Intelligent Traction Management with the press of a button, dialing in the Passport's driving dynamics for snow, mud, and sand.

And just in case passersby aren't sure of the 2023 Passport's abilities, there are plenty of details and components that broadcast just how ready this SUV is, like rugged-style wheels and tires, up to 8.1-inches of ground clearance, a new hood design with pronounced power bulge, and available die-cast running boards.

Kicking off a new series of off-road performance vehicles for Honda is the Passport Trailsport model, which extends the range of capabilities for the Passport with a wider stance, skid garnish designs, power folding exteriors mirror for narrow paths, and a heated windshield wiper parking area for frigid conditions. Of course, the exterior and interior also feature more aggressive and exclusive styling to match the tough performance of the Trailsport version.

On the inside of the 2023 Passport, you'll find comfortable seating for up to five adults thanks to the rear seats offering almost as much legroom, shoulder room, and hiproom as the front seats. Tri-zone climate control caters to everyone's preferences while standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration let you stay connected to your favorite music, apps, and more.

Like with all Honda vehicles, peace of mind comes by way of Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety and assistance features that have been designed to make the act of driving easier while also keeping everyone out of harm's way. Honda Sensing uses a variety of sensor technologies to provide alerts as well as steering and braking assistance when the situation calls for it. Key features include a road departure mitigation system, lane keeping assist system, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation braking system.