Not many people would think to pit a Honda against a Jaguar. When you think of the Honda brand, family vehicles such as the Honda Odyssey or commuter cars like the Honda Civic come to mind. These models are mainstays, but these Hondas don’t invoke the same feelings of luxury and grandeur that the Jaguar brand does. That’s why some may be surprised to find that the 2021 Honda Passport might just outpace the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace. 

The 2021 Honda Passport is a sleeper hit, as there’s just something different about it. Having just debuted for the 2019 model year, the Passport has yet to make itself a household name. However, this might just be the year that all changes. 

Jaguar is also trying something new with the F-Pace. Historically, the brand has thrown its considerable creative weight behind making performance cars. Debuting in the 2017 model year, the F-Pace was Jaguar’s first foray into the SUV market. Like the automaker’s sedans, the F-Pace places heavy emphasis on performance, but it may not be the all-around SUV shoppers want it to be.

So what exactly makes the 2021 Honda Passport so unique? And how can it keep up with the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace when it seems like it should be outmatched? Let’s take a closer look at what the 2021 Honda Passport and the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace have to offer. Which midsize SUV will you be dying to test drive?

What we love about the 2021 Honda Passport 

Let’s get the obvious comparison out of the way. The Passport won’t come close to rivaling the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace’s driving dynamics. But for what it’s worth, the 2021 Honda Passport does come with a more powerful standard engine. Its 3.5-liter V6 kicks out 280 hp, while the F-Pace’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes just 246 hp.

Now that we’ve addressed the elephant in the room, we can analyze the more practical applications of both models. The 2021 Honda Passport truly lives up to the “utility” aspect of an SUV. It’s much roomier than the F-Pace, providing nearly 15 cubic feet of extra passenger volume and more than 14 additional cubic feet of max cargo space. Plus, it has nifty little features you’d only expect to see from a luxury model like the F-Pace. These available features include a hands-free liftgate, wireless charging station, and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Additionally, the 2021 Honda Passport provides incredible value. It has a starting MSRP of just $32,590, and it’s loaded with standard driver-assistance technologies. Meanwhile, its top-tier model starts at only $43,980, and it has a luxury-like feel to it. Honda equipped the Elite trim with a heated leather steering wheel and perforated cooled/heated front seats. Drivers will also be graced with a navigation system with voice recognition, a 10-speaker premium sound system, and a power moonroof.

Where the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace falls short 

With sporty driving dynamics and high-end materials throughout the cabin, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace is undoubtedly a luxury car. However, its starting MSRP of $49,995 is just way too high of a price to pay for a midsize SUV, regardless of classification. Plus, the F-Pace doesn’t even come standard with adaptive cruise control, which is a standard feature on the 2021 Honda Passport.

Meanwhile, many shoppers will consider jumping up to the F-Pace S trim, which costs $53,895. That’s because the base model doesn’t feature Jaguar’s new, highly touted Pivi Pro infotainment system. So, while you’ll undoubtedly be getting a fantastic vehicle, it’ll cost way more than it should do so.

The final verdict

Considering that a higher-trim Passport might be just as luxurious as a lower-end F-Pace, your decision could come down to finances. We already know that the 2021 Honda Passport is more affordable, but did you know it is also more likely to have a higher resale value? 
According to Kelley Blue Book, the Honda Passport retains its value well, while the Jaguar F-Pace will face steep depreciation. With this in mind, it’d be tough to pass up a fully-loaded 2021 Honda Passport in favor of a 2021 Jaguar F-Pace.