Compared: 2023 Honda Passport vs. 2023 Mazda CX-9
Pitting active lifestyle against near-luxury sport with these two midsize SUVs.
Honda | Mazda
The 2023 Honda Passport and 2023 Mazda CX-9 compete in the same midsize SUV segment, yet they have different personalities. The two-row Passport is more utilitarian, while the three-row CX-9 can rival luxury models in its top trim. Here are some other key differentiators between the two SUVs.
Mazda
2023 Honda Passport vs. 2023 Mazda CX-9: Price
Both the Honda Passport and Mazda CX-9 have a base price around $40,000, with both vehicles making all-wheel drive standard. The CX-9 offers five trims that get increasingly luxurious as you level up. The base Touring trim starts at about $40,000, and the high-end Signature trim starts to climb from $50,000.
Honda
The Passport offers just three trims, including the off-road, adventure-ready TrailSport. The base EX-L trim starts at $42,000, while the Passport in Elite trim begins around $48,000.
Neither the Passport nor the CX-9 offer many options aside from trim levels, although dressier paint finishes can run as much as $600 extra for the Mazda.
Mazda
2023 Honda Passport vs. 2023 Mazda CX-9: Features
Both vehicles come standard with luxury features such as leather seats, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. However, because the CX-9 has three rows, there are some key differences in seating and cargo volume.
The CX-9 comes standard with captain’s chairs in the middle row, making it a six-passenger vehicle. Bench seating, which ups occupant capacity to seven, is available only on specific trims. Cargo capacity behind the third row is 14.4 cu.-ft., and it jumps to 38.2 cu.-ft. behind the second-row seats. As a two-row vehicle, the Passport seats five, and the big benefit is the 41.2 cu.-ft. cargo volume behind the second row.
Honda
In terms of amenities, those available on the CX-9 that you won’t find in the Passport include a 10.3-inch infotainment display, a premium Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System, a 360-degree backup camera, and a digital gauge display. While both vehicles include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitors, only the Mazda can be had with reverse automatic emergency braking.
One area the Passport beats the CX-9 is in towing, boasting a 5,000-pound capacity that bests the CX-9’s 3,500-pound limit.
Mazda
2023 Honda Passport vs. 2023 Mazda CX-9: Fuel Economy
While the CX-9 is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Passport has more power, with a V6 across all trims. This creates a difference in fuel economy ratings. The CX-9 gets 23 mpg in combined driving, whereas the Passport gets 21 mpg — both using regular fuel.
Honda
An interesting thing about the CX-9 is that it’s rated at a higher horsepower with premium fuel (250 vs. 227), but the EPA doesn’t evaluate its fuel economy based on the type of gasoline chosen.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Jill Ciminillo is a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality, and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on cars for a local Chicago station. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization.
Related articles
View more related articles