Compare the2022 Honda PassportVS 2021 Mazda CX-5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Passport are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-5’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Compared to metal, the Passport’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Passport and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	Passport	CX-5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	274 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	46/243 lbs.	160/307 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	Passport	CX-5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	126 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	65 G’s
Hip Force	304 lbs.	524 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	406	449

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passport’s warranty.

Reliability

The engine in the Passport has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the CX-5 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Passport has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-5’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 17th in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

Engine

The Passport’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 93 more horsepower (280 vs. 187) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Passport’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (280 vs. 250) than the CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Passport is faster than the Mazda CX-5:

	Passport	CX-5 4 cyl.	CX-5 turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	8.7 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	16.7 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	78.3 MPH	93.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Passport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Passport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passport has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 FWD’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passport has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 AWD’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 15.3 gallons).

The Passport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Passport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	Passport	CX-5
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11.9 inches

The Passport stops shorter than the CX-5:

	Passport	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	181 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the CX-5 (245/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (265/45R20 vs. 225/65R17).

The Passport TrailSport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5 Sport/Touring’s standard 65 series tires. The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passport TrailSport has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5 Sport/Touring. The Passport EX-L/Elite’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

The Passport has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passport’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the CX-5 (110.9 inches vs. 106.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 4 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-5.

The Passport Elite AWD handles at .79 G’s, while the CX-5 Grand Touring AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Passport Elite AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-5 Grand Touring AWD (28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 (8.1 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Passport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Passport Elite AWD is quieter than the CX-5 Signature AWD (65 vs. 67 dB).

Passenger Space

The Passport has 11.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-5 (114.9 vs. 103.6).

The Passport has 3.9 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2 inches more rear hip room and 7.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

Cargo Capacity

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-5 with its rear seat up (41.2 vs. 30.9 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (77.7 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passport. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Passport Elite’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Passport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-5’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mazda CX-5 is only 2000 pounds. The Passport AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Passport uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Passport’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the Passport the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Passport’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Passport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Passport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature.

When the Passport is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-5’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Passport’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Passport has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

Both the Passport and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Passport has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Passport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-5 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Passport TrailSport/Elite has a 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.