Compare the2023 Honda PassportVS 2023 GMC Acadia

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 Acadia’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Passport. But it costs extra on the Acadia.

Both the Passport and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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 GMC Acadia:

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, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the GMC Acadia:

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

The Passport’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passport for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Acadia.

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Passport’s reliability 27 points higher than the Acadia.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 16 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Passport’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 52 more horsepower (280 vs. 228) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Passport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the Acadia (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Acadia (265/45R20 vs. 255/65R17).

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 Acadia SLE/SLT’s standard 65 series tires. The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 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 Acadia AT4.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Acadia.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (8.1 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Passport is 4.3 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the Passport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Passport has 3.4 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Acadia.

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume than the Acadia with its rear seat up (41.2 vs. 12.8 cubic feet).

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

The Passport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (5000 vs. 1000 pounds).

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 Acadia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Passport’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Acadia, and is not available on all models.

The Passport’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

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 Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Passport has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Passport Elite’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Passport’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Acadia’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the Acadia.

Insurance will cost less for the Passport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Passport will cost $350 less than the Acadia over a five-year period.

The Passport will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Passport will retain 50.47% to 51.56% of its original price after five years, while the Acadia only retains 47.29% to 50.03%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Passport and the GMC Acadia, based on reliability, safety and performance.