For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Honda Passport are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn't offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Honda Passport has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Equinox doesn't offer knee airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don't deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport's side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Equinox's side airbags don't have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda Passport 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 Chevrolet Equinox has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Passport. But it costs extra on the Equinox.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Passport's standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Equinox doesn't offer Hill Descent Control.

The Honda Passport TrailSport Elite's Multi-View Camera System is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Chevrolet Equinox only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

The Passport's driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Equinox doesn't offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Passport and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and available around view monitors.

The Honda Passport weighs 849 to 1277 pounds more than the Chevrolet Equinox. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Honda Passport 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 Equinox has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Passport's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Equinox's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Passport's reliability 44 points higher than the Equinox.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Passport second among midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Equinox isn't in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

The Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 110 more horsepower (285 vs. 175) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 184) than the Equinox FWD's standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 110 more horsepower (285 vs. 175) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 203) than the Equinox AWD's standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda Passport is faster than the Equinox AWD:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine's cylinders helps improve the Passport's fuel efficiency. The Equinox doesn't offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Passport has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox's standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passport has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox AWD's standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.6 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Passport higher (7 out of 10) than the Chevrolet Equinox (6). This means the Passport produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Equinox every 15,000 miles.

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

The Passport stops shorter than the Equinox:

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the Equinox (265/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Passport TrailSport's tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (275/60R18 vs. 235/65R17).

The Passport's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox LT/ACTIV's standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passport has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Equinox LT/ACTIV.

The Passport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn't interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn't available on the Equinox; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Passport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Passport flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passport's wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Equinox (113.6 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Equinox.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Equinox LT/ACTIV (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Passport's minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Equinox RS (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches).

The Passport has 14.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Equinox (119.1 vs. 104.3).

The Passport has .5 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom, 5.7 inches more rear hip room and 5.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Equinox.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Passport's rear seats recline. The Equinox's rear seats don't recline.

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Equinox with its rear seat up (44 vs. 29.8 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Equinox with its rear seat folded (83.8 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Passport's rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Equinox doesn't offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can't be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passport. The Equinox doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Passport's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox's (5000 vs. 800 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Passport uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Equinox doesn't offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 6% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

The Passport's standard easy entry system glides the driver's seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Equinox, and is not available on all models.

The Passport's front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Equinox's passenger windows don't close automatically.

The Passport's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Equinox's standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Passport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Equinox doesn't offer rear side window sunshades.

The Passport's standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Equinox doesn't offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Both the Honda Passport and Chevrolet Equinox offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Passport offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver's discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Equinox's foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Passport has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won't have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Equinox.

The Honda Passport has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Chevrolet charges extra for Homelink® on the Equinox.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Passport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Equinox.

The Passport TrailSport has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Equinox doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Honda Passport retains 54.21% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 50.37% resale value of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox after five years, which can save the Honda's owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Passport and the Chevrolet Equinox, based on reliability, safety and performance.