I have a 2021 Honda Passport. Might anyone have any personal comparison knowledge as to how the acceleration/handling of the Passport/Pilot stack up to the 2022 non turbo MDX?
I know all three have the same V6 and all wheel drive system. I'm interested in the MDX and curious to know if I'll see better, worse or about the same acceleration and handling.
My big boxy Passport is quite quick and handles well. www.zeroto60times.com (which I consider the bible) going back to 2016 to present show the Passport/Pilot
running 0-60 from 6.0 to 6.3 seconds. I'd consider the Type S MDX Advance but, it's not worth $75K.

 

I have a 22 ASPEC and my son had a 20 Passport Touring. Acceleration is about the same but the handling is night and day.

 

Thanks for the input. I was hoping for something better in the acceleration. It is what it is.

 

The 10 speed shifts much quicker than the 9 speed in the Passport. I drove the Type S. That’s where you’ll notice a difference.

 

Your question is similar to my thought process regarding the 2022 MDX Advance - I was wondering about acceleration adequacy and somewhat pondering the Type S.

I have a 2020 Ridgeline RTL-E with essentially the same engine but 9 speed AT instead of the 10 speed. I'd rarely really put my foot into the Ridgeline and when I did try it recently, I was happily surprised - not a rocket but adequate for practical needs.

I looked at comparisons for 2020 Ridgeline; 2020 Passport Touring; 2021 Passport and the 2022 MDX.

The first three Hondas all share the same engine 3.5 V6 280 HP/262 torque; 11.5:1 compression ratio with recommended fuel 87 octane or higher and 9 speed AT.

The curb weights listed in the Honda Owners site are:
2020 Ridgeline - 4515 lbs
2020 Pilot Touring - 4306 lbs
2021 Passport AWD - 4149 lbs

Of course the 2022 MDX has the 3.5 V6 rated at 290 HP/267 torque; 11.5:1 compression ratio with recommended fuel 91 or higher and 10 speed AT.
Per the Acura Owners site, the MDX is heavier than all of them at 4565 lbs curb weight.

For me, I expect it to be a push between the Ridgeline and MDX.

OTOH the Passport (according to these numbers) is 400 lbs lighter and might be a different outcome...???

Back in the day (WAY BACK), compression ratio largely determined octane needs and both of these engines have the same 11.5 compression but different fuel recommendations - I assume the higher octane allows better optimization with variable spark and valve timing...???
When I look at these numbers, I do wonder how much of the difference between 87 and 91 is actual (and measurable) vs subjective perception...

 

Post #5 on the 87 vs 91 octane thread from Baldeagle in the 3rd gen RDX is very interesting. He presented data showing burning 91 vs 87 octane produced very, very minimal acceleration performance.
Honda nor Acura require 91 octane in their V6 and I'm done paying the extra $$ for it.

 

The next best MDX under the MDX Type-S for acceleration, performance, handling, and mpgs was the previous gen 321hp/289tq 17-20 MDX Sport Hybrid. I live in NM and drive between 5000-7200 feet. The 3 electric motors do an excellent job of providing extra hp/tq in city or hwy driving; while, still giving me 24-26 mpgs always. 0-60 times can range from 5.7 to 6 seconds depending on tester. All 17-20 MDXs came with electronic dampers and 7DCT for a very smooth and sporty ride; but, you can set the suspension into comfort mode. I like the 18-20 MDX Sport Hybrids because of Carplay being added and the update to the info-tainment. The interior sucks compared to +22 MDX; but, it would be a step up compared to the Pilot. Availability of the Sport Hybrid in the used market is probably about the same as the +22 MDX. Prices for the Sport Hybrid would be very close to your 21 Pilot depending on trim, year, and mileage of both.

No towing with the Sport Hybrid because of the 7DCT; but, you can add a hitch for a bike rack or swing out cargo carrier.

 

With the new prices in gas, I don't think many will be as concerned about acceleration.

 

I'm one of the many. Acceleration is always a concern.

 

Could you elaborate on your night and day comment?? I currently owned the 21 passport and the road noise is driving me nuts. And I am looking into the Acura MDX.

 

If you do a search around this forum and mdxers.org you will find quite a few comments regarding road noise in the new MDX. Most of the complaints are about the noise from the tires that come with the vehicle. A few people have changed theirs out shortly after purchase.

 

Lower octane fuel has more energy so this is not surprising to have similar full throttle performance. Its more about what the engine is tuned for, so if you care about part throttle response, smoothness and protecting against detonation, you should follow what the manufacturer recommends.

 

I own a 20 Hybrid MDX, which is about 90% the performance of a MDX TypeS. We rented a Passport (probably 2020) for a weekend during a wedding last year, and the few differences I remember were:

- My wife kept complaining about lack of power. She said the same about non-Hybrid MDX loaners, so I guess that validates other comments of similar power between a base MDX and a Passport.
- I drive much lighter than her, and noticed less power in the Passport but it didn't bother me.
- I drive too lightly to notice poor handling, my wife said it was noticeably worse than the MDX.
- I'm more of a tech geek. The biggest difference for me is that the ACC camera was substantially inferior on the Passport, it misses cars much more often than the 20 MDX. The 22 MDX has a way better camera than the 20 MDX so that will be an even more noticeable gap. Also the Passport has no low speed follow so you can't use adaptive cruise control on city streets, this was actually the reason I crossed the Passport off my list (similarly crossing off all Honda models) when I was shopping for my MDX.

Otherwise nothing really stuck out to us in our weekend rental. Of course the Passport doesn't have a 3rd row like the MDX does.