2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2019 Honda Passport
Posted on August 6, 2020
There are a lot of very good midsize crossover SUVs in the market these days, so competition is certainly tough. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most well-known and respected models in this segment, so let's see how it shapes up against a model that's new to the market this year, the 2019 Honda Passport.
Exterior styling
Some SUVs don't have exterior styling as their strongest attribute, but these two are definitely trying to make a statement. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the latest evolution of a model that becomes more and more refined as the generations have gone by, and the current model is handsome, sporty, upscale and desirable. Honda's crossovers are not exactly renowned for their stunning good looks, but the Japanese automaker has done a better job with this one. When it's dressed up correctly, the Honda Passport can be quite attractive, but it's not in the same class as the Jeep.
Trim levels
f you don't like being presented with a huge amount of options, you'll be pleased to hear the Passport only comes in three different trim levels of Sport, EX-L and Touring. However, if you like the idea of plenty of choices to select from and want to get the model that's right for you, you're going to love the Grand Cherokee. There are now no less than 11 different versions of the mighty Jeep, which start with the Laredo and then go to the Upland Edition, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Limited X, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT and the Trackhawk.
Engines
All versions of the Honda Passport use the same engine, which is a very decent 3.5-litre V-6 that puts out a useful 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. Unfortunately for the Honda, this is another area where the Grand Cherokee has it beat hands down. Not only does the Jeep offer a wide choice of engines, but even the base engine is also more powerful than the Honda's 3.5-litre V-6. The standard engine in the Grand Cherokee is a 3.6-litre V-6 that produces 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, and at the other end of the spectrum there's a fire-breathing supercharged 6.2-litre V-8 offering a mind-blowing 707 horsepower. There's also a 5.7-litre V-8, a 6.4-litre V-8, so another big round goes to the Jeep.
Features and equipment
Standard equipment with the entry-level Passport Sport includes 20-inch alloys, a decent cloth upholstery, LED headlights, a powered driver's seat, a couple of USB ports, a 5.0-inch display audio system and plenty of active safety tech. A Grand Cherokee Laredo only comes with 17-inch alloy wheels. However, other standard features include a leather-covered steering wheel, a couple of USB charging ports, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert.
Prices
Now you've seen that the Grand Cherokee is more attractive, more powerful, better equipped and offers buyers a greater choice of trim levels than the Honda Passport, you're probably going to assume the Jeep costs more, aren't you? Well, you'd be wrong. An entry-level Passport Sport starts from $41,990, but you can get yourself a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from as little as $38,499.
Verdict
Unless you particularly prefer the way that Honda looks, which we suppose some people might, it's hard to understand why you'd buy one over the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep has the Honda beat in almost every department, and it costs less too. Ok, you can pay north of $100k for a Trackhawk, and the top-of-the-range Honda Passport Touring only costs from $48,990, but the Trackhawk is the most powerful production SUV on earth and a very different proposition to the Honda. If you're shopping these two, the Jeep is the only sensible option.For more details and to arrange a test drive the 2019 Grand Cherokee, don't hesitate to get in touch with us here at North York Chrysler Jeep Dodge, the premier choice Jeep dealership in Thornhill, ON and the surrounding area.