The X5's pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Passport doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Passport doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Honda Passport has not been tested.

The X5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Passport doesn't offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the X5 and Passport have rear cross-traffic warning, but the X5 has Cross Traffic Warning with Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Passport's Cross Traffic Monitor doesn't automatically brake.

Both the X5 and the Passport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS' rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Passport has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The X5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Passport's 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5's corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Passport's (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the Passport (3/36,000 vs. 1/12000).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the X5's engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Passport's camshafts. If the Passport's belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated lower.

The X5 40i's standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 90 more horsepower (375 vs. 285) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 262) than the Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6. The X5 xDrive50e's standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 198 more horsepower (483 vs. 285) and 254 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 262) than the Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6. The X5 M60i xDrive's standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 238 more horsepower (523 vs. 285) and 291 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 262) than the Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW X5 is faster than the Honda Passport:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Passport:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Passport:

The X5 xDrive50e can travel with zero emissions for 40 miles. The Passport can't move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the X5's fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Passport doesn't offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5's standard fuel tank has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Passport (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons).

The X5's launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM's precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Passport doesn't offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport's brake rotors are larger than those on the Passport:

The X5's standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Passport are solid, not vented.

The X5 stops much shorter than the Passport:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Passport (275/45R20 vs. 265/60R18).

The X5's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Passport's standard 60 series tires. The X5's optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Passport's 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Passport. The X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Passport doesn't offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M60i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Passport doesn't offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M60i xDrive offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Honda doesn't offer an active suspension on the Passport.

The X5 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Passport's suspension doesn't offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5's height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Passport doesn't offer a load leveling suspension.

The X5 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Passport doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5's wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Passport (117.1 inches vs. 113.6 inches).

The X5's front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.7% to 50.3%) than the Passport's (57.8% to 42.2%). This gives the X5 more stable handling and braking.

The X5 M60i xDrive handles at .86 G's, while the Passport TrailSport pulls only .80 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 has .3 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room and 2.6 inches more rear hip room than the Passport.

The X5's rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Passport's rear cargo window doesn't open.

The X5's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Passport's (5952 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Honda Passport is only 5000 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The X5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Passport uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the X5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Passport. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Passport, the X5 M60i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver's seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger's preset preferences.

The X5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver's line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Passport doesn't offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the X5 and the Passport have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Passport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the X5 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Passport can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X5's standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start and Smart Entry standard on the Passport doesn't offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you'll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Push Button Start and Smart Entry is not available on the Passport TrailSport Elite.

The X5's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Passport's standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can't turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Passport doesn't offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Passport doesn't offer cornering lights. The X5 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The BMW X5 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it's easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Passport TrailSport.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren't available in the Passport.

The X5's Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Passport doesn't offer an automated parking system.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Passport doesn't offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X5 outsold the Honda Passport by over two to one during 2024.