The short answer: No. The Honda Passport and Acura RDX are distinct models with different sizes, powertrains, and luxury focus, even though they share some engineering ancestry within the Honda/Acura family.
Here’s a clearer look at how these two SUVs compare. The Honda Passport is a larger, two-row, non-luxury SUV designed for practicality and outdoor versatility, while the Acura RDX is a compact luxury SUV built to emphasize premium materials, technology, and on-road refinement. Both sit under the same corporate umbrella, but they target different buyers and market niches.
Size, powertrains and ride experience
The following points outline the core differences in how these two models are built and how they behave on the road.
- Vehicle size and seating: The Passport is a larger, two-row midsize SUV with expansive cargo space, designed to carry families and gear. The RDX is a compact SUV with five seats and a more premium, snug interior feel.
- Powertrain: The Passport relies on a naturally aspirated V6 engine. The RDX uses a turbocharged four-cylinder with a focus on agility and efficiency, plus modern turbocharged torque characteristics.
- Drivetrain and handling: Passport offers an available all-wheel-drive setup geared toward everyday utility and light off-road capability. RDX provides Acura’s SH-AWD on many trims for sharper handling and stability at speed.
- Ride quality and towing: Passport emphasizes a comfortable, practical ride with more interior cargo for outdoor use; RDX emphasizes refined ride quality with more luxury-oriented tuning.
In sum, the Passport leans toward open-road practicality and space, while the RDX emphasizes premium feel and on-road refinement.
Powertrains in more detail
When you look under the hood, the differences are even more pronounced. The Passport’s V6 delivers steady, robust acceleration suitable for highway merging and towing up to typical midsize-SUV levels, paired with a traditional-gear feel. The RDX’s turbocharged engine emphasizes punchy low-end torque and spirited acceleration, complemented by a higher-tech 10-speed automatic and varied drive modes that tune throttle response and steering weight for a sportier feel.
Interior, technology and luxury emphasis
Interior quality, technology, and overall ambiance are where the most noticeable split between Honda and Acura is—and where buyers often decide between the two.
- Interior quality and materials: The RDX features higher-grade materials, more refined textures, and a more luxury-leaning cabin, with a focus on quietness and tactile controls. The Passport uses durable materials aimed at practicality and outdoor wear, with a spacious crew-ready atmosphere.
- Infotainment and displays: The RDX typically offers larger, more premium display options and Acura-exclusive interfaces with enhanced smartphone integration and premium sound options. The Passport uses Honda’s well-regarded infotainment system with straightforward controls and solid performance.
- Safety and driver-assist features: Both use Honda Sensing/Acura Sensing suites, but the RDX usually bundles more advanced features as standard on higher trims and emphasizes a more feature-rich, luxury-oriented package overall.
The result is a clear division: RDX provides a more upscale experience with a strong tech emphasis, while the Passport prioritizes spacious practicality and rugged versatility at a lower entry price point.
Shared lineage and practical similarities
Even with their differences, the two do share some common ground rooted in their Honda/Acura lineage, which influences reliability, maintenance familiarity, and component compatibility in certain areas.
- Engineering roots: Both models draw from Honda’s engineering ecosystem, with the Passport rooted in the Pilot design lineage and the RDX built on Acura’s refinement-focused platform family.
- Safety technology: Both families implement Honda Sensing or Acura Sensing safety systems, featuring a core set of collision mitigation, lane-assist and adaptive cruise features.
- Target audiences: Passport appeals to buyers needing space and capability at a non-luxury price point, while RDX targets buyers seeking premium materials and a higher-tech, luxury-oriented experience.
These shared elements can make maintenance and parts availability more straightforward for owners who consider swapping between the brands within the same corporate family.
Summary
Bottom line: The Honda Passport and Acura RDX are not the same vehicle. The Passport is a larger, two-row, values-focused SUV built for space, practicality and outdoor versatility. The RDX is a compact luxury SUV that emphasizes premium materials, advanced technology, and refined on-road performance. Your choice between them comes down to whether you prioritise cargo capacity and rugged utility or luxury touches and a sportier, tech-forward experience. For buyers who want both brands’ strengths, a test drive of both models is the best way to determine which aligns with their needs.