2024 Honda Passport vs 2023 BMW X7

The 2023 BMW X7 underwent a significant mid-cycle makeover, drawing inspiration from the redesigned BMW 7 Series sedan. The most noticeable change was the front end, where LED accent lights replaced the previous headlights, now tucked underneath. The oversized kidney grille remained a polarizing feature, and the new styling was expected to be equally controversial. While BMW aimed for a bolder design, it came at the expense of grace and cohesiveness. The interior received a refresh with a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, along with a more elemental dashboard design. Interior materials were of high quality, with leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. The X7's interior revisions gave it a modern and elegant appearance, despite the divisive exterior styling.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its previous design, with only minor tweaks since 2022. The Passport's design language was consistent with Honda's previous-generation models, featuring an upright grille and squared-off corners. The Passport offered three trim levels: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all equipped with leather seats, a power moonroof, and all-wheel drive. The TrailSport trim was the most rugged, with all-terrain tires, roof rails, and LED fog lights. Inside, the Passport featured old-school physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen. The TrailSport trim added black leather upholstery with orange contrast stitching. The Passport's interior was simple and unassuming, with a focus on utility and practicality.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered a range of powerful engines, starting with the base xDrive40i model, which featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, allowing the X7 to reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The X7 M60i model upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well, with potent acceleration and composed cornering. The ride was slightly firmer than some luxury SUVs, but it offered a good blend of performance and comfort.

The 2024 Honda Passport, on the other hand, featured a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport provided adequate acceleration for its size. The TrailSport trim received mechanical changes for off-road capability, including wider tracks and tuned suspension. All Passports came with Honda's torque-vectoring iVTM4 all-wheel-drive system and a traction-management system with various settings. The Passport's steering was well-balanced and accurate, and it offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. While road and wind noise were noticeable at highway speeds, the Passport's performance was solid for a midsize crossover.

The 2023 BMW X7 excelled in providing ample space for passengers and cargo. The second-row seats accommodated taller passengers comfortably, and the third row offered adequate head- and legroom for average-sized adults. Cargo space behind the third row was 12.8 cubic feet, expanding to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row stowed and 90.4 cubic feet with the middle seats folded. The X7 featured a split tailgate and a button to lower the suspension for easier loading. Front-seat passengers enjoyed ample storage space, including a large center console bin and well-sized cupholders.

The 2024 Honda Passport, as a two-row midsize crossover, offered impressive cargo capacity. With 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and additional underfloor storage, it outperformed many competitors. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo space to 77.7 cubic feet. The Passport comfortably seated five adults, with ample cupholders and a redesigned center console bin for increased storage. While rear-seat legroom was slightly tighter than some rivals, the Passport's interior was practical and spacious.

The 2023 BMW X7 featured the latest iDrive infotainment system, which, despite its intuitive layout, had some drawbacks. Many physical buttons were replaced by touchscreen controls, making simple tasks more complicated. Voice commands were available but could be slow to process. While the system had merits, more physical buttons and intuitive menus would have been appreciated.

The 2024 Honda Passport came with an 8-inch touchscreen, which felt small given the cabin's spaciousness. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless charging pad. The system's resolution and response speed were impressive, but the navigation display could be intrusive. The TrailSport trim's seven-speaker audio system was adequate but not exceptional, with better options available in other vehicles.

The 2023 BMW X7 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, and options included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. While crash test results were unavailable, BMW's reputation and safety features provided peace of mind.

The 2024 Honda Passport included a robust suite of standard safety features under the "Honda Sensing" umbrella, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Passport received mixed crash test ratings, with the IIHS rating it "Acceptable" in some tests and "Marginal" in others. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall but four stars in frontal and rollover tests.