When Honda launched Acura in 1986, it became the first Japanese automaker to introduce a dedicated premium and luxury brand in the United States, beating Lexus and Infiniti to market by three years. The idea was to create a separate brand with higher-end materials, more powerful engines, and a distinct identity that Honda’s mainstream lineup could not provide. For nearly four decades, that separation has held firm.
The 2026 Honda Passport tests that boundary, and, in some instances, may even cross it.
At $44,950, the Passport sits $150 below the base 2026 Acura RDX. Both include standard all-wheel drive. Both share the same ACE body structure for greater crash protection. But the Passport offers a V6 engine, more cargo space, and a towing capacity more than three times that of the RDX.
The question this comparison answers is whether the Acura badge justifies choosing the RDX over the Honda. Here is how the two stack up.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.5L V6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
Same parent company, nearly the same price
Key differences go beyond the starting MSRP
Only a mere $150 separates these two vehicles at their base prices, roughly what most will spend on floor mats after they get home from the dealership.
At $44,950, the Passport RTL includes Honda Sensing with an expanded suite of driver-assistance features, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
At $45,100, the base RDX includes AcuraWatch (also a driver-assistance suite), a 10.2-inch display with Acura’s True Touchpad Interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated seats, a panoramic moonroof, and a nine-speaker premium sound system.
Neither vehicle is underequipped in terms of standard features and equipment, but there are a few differences worth noting when it comes to the powertrain and interior.
- Base Trim Engine
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2L I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
Powertrain and fuel economy
Two different engines, two different purposes
The Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.
By contrast, the RDX uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque, also paired with a 10-speed automatic with standard all-wheel drive.
While both the Passport and RDX are all-wheel drive, power delivery differs between the two vehicles. The Passport uses a traditional all-wheel drive setup that distributes torque between the front and rear axles based on the road conditions. Acura’s SH-AWD system (short for Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) goes further by also distributing torque left-to-right at the rear axle, sending more power to the outside rear wheel through a corner.
Acura’s system results in a vehicle that rotates more naturally through turns and resists the understeer that conventional all-wheel-drive systems can cause. Those who prioritize sporty driving dynamics in addition to more traction in bad weather, Acura’s SH-AWD system is a genuine differentiator. However, the more rugged nature of the Passport makes it ideal for mild off-roading, something the RDX is not fully equipped for.
When it comes to each and their respective engines, the Passport has more peak horsepower; the RDX has more torque. Both are capable engines for everyday driving, but they represent different philosophies. Honda chose a naturally aspirated V6 for the Passport for smoothness and outright pulling power. Acura chose a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder for the RDX to prioritize efficiency and a more sport-oriented feel.
On fuel economy, the RDX has the advantage accordingly, with EPA ratings of 21 in the city, 27 on the highway, and 23 combined. The Passport is slightly behind with its EPA ratings at 19 in the city, 25 on the highway, and 21 combined.
The only possible offset is that the RDX requires premium 91 octane, whereas the Passport can run regular unleaded. Gas mileage gains in favor of the RDX over the Passport might be irrelevant, given that premium fuel is more expensive.
Those who prioritize traditional SUV utility will want to look at the Passport over the RDX. For example, the Passport is rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped, whereas the RDX is rated for only 1,500 lbs. That distinction may not matter so much for buyers who never plan to tow anything. For families who tow a fishing boat, a pop-up camper, or a small utility trailer, the RDX simply cannot do the job.
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Safety ratings and features
Same foundation, different outcomes
Both the Passport and the RDX are built around Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure.
During a frontal collision, ACE channels crash energy to both upper and lower structural components, including the floor frame rails, side sills, and A-pillars. In effect, these “pathways” distribute frontal impact forces throughout a greater percentage of the vehicle’s total structure, reducing the likelihood that those forces will enter (or intrude) the car.
From there, the two SUVs diverge slightly on ratings. The Passport underwent a full redesign for the 2026 model year, one that helped it earn an industry designation as one of the safest vehicles for families with a teen driver. In addition, the 2026 Passport earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the IIHS, the organization’s highest designation, along with a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
The 2026 RDX earned Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, but does not carry a TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation for 2026.
On driver-assistance technology, Honda Sensing on the Passport and AcuraWatch on the RDX cover similar ground, which again reflects their shared origin. Both include collision-mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring.
The 2026 Honda Passport adds traffic-jam assist, which maintains lane position in stop-and-go traffic to a complete stop. The RDX adds rear cross-traffic monitoring on all trims. Low-speed autonomous emergency braking is not standard on the base RDX; buyers need the Technology trim to get it. On the Passport, however, the equivalent feature is standard.
For most buyers, safety will not be the deciding factor between these two SUVs. Both are well-engineered, well-equipped, and built on the same structural philosophy. However, the Passport holds the stronger IIHS rating for 2026, which is worth flagging.
- Material
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Oxford
- Special Feature
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Foldable
This 13.5-gallon trunk organizer features compartments to organize and store groceries, sports equipment, emergency supplies, and other daily essentials.
Interior technology and cargo space
Where each SUV makes its strongest case
One of the selling points of the Acura RDX is interior technology and overall refinement.
The True Touchpad Interface, ambient lighting with 27 themes, and available materials including Milano premium leather and open-pore wood trim on the Advance grade give the RDX a distinct upmarket feel. The audio steps up meaningfully across trims, too: nine speakers on the base model, a 12-speaker ELS Studio system on the Technology trim, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D system on the A-Spec and Advance.
Meanwhile, the Honda Passport makes its case on available cargo space. While it seats five, same as the RDX, its larger footprint translates into more usable space for those on the move. With 44 cubic feet behind the second row, the Passport offers more than the RDX’s 29.5 cubic feet. That difference will matter when hauling groceries for the week or camping equipment for a fun weekend away.
Additionally, the Passport’s 12.3-inch touchscreen is larger than the RDX’s 10.2-inch display, and its built-in Google integration gives it a more modern infotainment experience. The RDX’s True Touchpad Interface, which controls the display through a physical pad on the console, has divided buyers since its introduction. Some find it intuitive, others annoying. Either way, it’s a personal preference worth considering before a purchase.
RDX for the drive, Passport for the utility
The Acura RDX is ideal for buyers who want a more driver-focused SUV with a refined cabin and a brand identity that will set them apart from the mainstream. The SH-AWD torque-vectoring system, the sport-tuned variants in the A-Spec lineup, and the interior quality justify the RDX as a genuine luxury vehicle rather than a rebadged Honda.
The Passport, however, is a strong mainstream alternative, even if from the same manufacturer. Starting at $44,950 with standard all-wheel drive, it offers more cargo space, more towing capacity, and a larger touchscreen than the RDX. For buyers who prioritize off-road capability and cargo space over sport luxury, the Honda Passport is the better vehicle for the money.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
