When the Pilot’s too big and the CR-V is too small, the 2020 Honda Passport two-row crossover SUV is just the ticket.
Pros Comfortable interior Refined on the road Decent off-road chops Good 8.0-inch touchscreen on some models
Cons 9-speed automatic is a little confused Expensive in top models Not too adventurous in style Not as tough as some may need
The Passport returns largely unchanged for 2020.
Pros Spacious interior with lots of passenger space Comfortable front seats Enhanced off-road ability Many clever storage compartments
Cons Adaptive cruise control is only available over 20 mph Driver's seat might be positioned a little too high for some people
For 2020, Honda doesn't make any meaningful changes to the Passport lineup. This is to be expected since the company just re-released the two-row crossover last year.
Pros Loads of cargo and passenger space, speedy powertrain, copious standard driver assists.
Cons Looks more rugged than it is, only top trims have top options, rides rough on bumpy roads.
Perhaps we need to stop calling these cars SUVs, because the new Mazda CX-30 is really just a Mazda 3 on stilts, and all the better for it.
Pros Excellent dynamics Interior fit and finish Audio and infotainment system Active safety features Exterior and interior design, practical, makes more sense than a Mazda 3
Cons Ride felt a tad firm (European spec) Expected price premium over the Mazda 3 Infotainment housing a little old school Fits four adults at best
Slotting into the Mazda SUV lineup in the narrow space between the subcompact CX-3 and the compact CX-5 is the new—and curiously named—CX-30. Why isn't it called CX-4? We asked Mazda: It's kind of a long story. Regardless, we like the way it looks. Mazda's designers gave it a more severely forward-canted rear window and chunkier black-plastic body cladding to help differentiate the 2020 Mazda CX-30 from its other crossover siblings.The 2020 CX-30 shares much of its mechanicals and platform with the all-new Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback, so we expect it to have a 186-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. It's possible that Mazda's new gasoline-powered compression-ignition engine—which the company calls Skyactiv-X—is likely to be available in the CX-30 at some point down the road.
Good car, the Mazda CX-30. Handles well, looks smart and has a lovely interior. But as is always the case with crossovers – the conventional car on which it’s based (in this case the Mazda3 hatchback) is the sensible buy.
Pros Good-looking, decent to drive, lovely interior.
Cons Cramped rear, old-fashioned auto.
