Passport is a nameplate that they brought back for a vehicle that is basically less ginormous than the 3 row Pilot, but positioned up from the CR-V. I guess it turns out the Blazer is in sort of the same size category.
A bit about both:
The Honda Passport is without a doubt the more traditional and familiar. For all intents and purposes, it's a Honda Pilot with 6 inches lopped off and a slight ride-height increase. Mechanically it sports the same 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and nine-speed automatic transmission with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive; visually it's virtually indistinguishable from the Pilot inside and out, save for the lack of a third row and a slightly different grille and bumper.
What the Chevrolet Blazer gives up in interior volume to the Passport, it makes up in style. No one will ever mistake the Blazer for anything else—save for maybe a jacked-up four-door Camaro—with its edgy styling and pony car-inspired interior. Like the Honda, the Blazer also has a V-6, a nine-speed auto, and all-wheel drive, though the Chevy's engine displaces 3.6 liters and makes 308 hp.
To Chevy's credit, the Blazer drives like it looks—like it's trying to be the V-6 Camaro of crossovers. The Blazer is remarkably buttoned down and engaging to drive for the segment. Its V-6 is quiet and unobtrusive when you want it to be, but it wakes up when you open the throttle. Its nine-speed automatic is well tuned, too, with quick, decisive shifts.
How well the Blazer goes around a corner is largely irrelevant to most family buyers. For the record, it handles quite well for the class, making it good for emergency dashes due to childhood calamities. And the same qualities that make the Chevy enjoyable to drive also provide a better ride.
The Blazer AWD RS bases for $44,695 and the Passport Elite AWD bases for $44,725. These are far from base trims. The Blazer ended up with another almost $4k of options while the Honda doesn't really do options (they just have trim levels).Despite having less interior volume than the Passport, the Blazer is remarkably efficient with its space. There's not quite as much storage in this sporty cabin, but up front Chevy provides the requisite cubbies for your phone and other knickknacks. Its roomy back seat offers a comfortable sliding and reclining heated bench with a flat floor helping ensure even the middle seat is usable. Rear doors that open nearly 90 degrees make installing a child car seat a breeze.
Ultimately, when two competitors are this close, the winner comes down to the small details. The Honda Passport is slavishly designed around providing enough space for your loved ones and their stuff. But often these vehicles serve as work-commuters, too, and here Chevy pays more attention to the driver. Besides, when hauling the whole family, everyone benefits from powertrain refinement and sound deadening.
Good family relationships often involve compromise, and that's what the Chevrolet Blazer does well. The Blazer is powerful, composed, and fun to drive while offering the latest in infotainment, a shockingly spacious rear seat, and creature comforts like heated seats and power ports for devices. Its stylish sheetmetal helps it stand out in a sea of lozenge-shaped crossovers. The Blazer is the family vehicle that actually appeals to the whole family, and for that reason it upsets the Honda on its home court.
It probably goes without saying but for performance the Blazer is superior in every category. I think this is going to be a successful model for them.