Your impressions about size aren't entirely wrong, but they are mostly wrong.
The 1998 CR-V has 0.6 inches more headroom in the front and rear seats.
The front legroom is nearly identical, although the 2016 has 1.6" more legroom in the rear seats.
The 2016 has a little over 5" more shoulder room in the front, and almost 1" more in the rear.
The 2016 has 1.1" more hip room in the front, and 2.4" more in the rear.
The 2016 has 7.6 cubic feet more cargo volume with the rear seats up, and 3.7 cubic feet more with the seats folded down.
Total interior passenger volume in the 2016 is 104.1 cubic feet, vs. 98 cubic feet in the 1998 CR-V.
And the 2016 CR-Vs EPA ratings for fuel mileage are City/Highway/Combined 26 / 33 / 29, which are much better than the Passport's 20 / 25 / 22.
But if you're happy with the Passport then that's all that matters.
The 1998 CR-V has 0.6 inches more headroom in the front and rear seats.
The front legroom is nearly identical, although the 2016 has 1.6" more legroom in the rear seats.
The 2016 has a little over 5" more shoulder room in the front, and almost 1" more in the rear.
The 2016 has 1.1" more hip room in the front, and 2.4" more in the rear.
The 2016 has 7.6 cubic feet more cargo volume with the rear seats up, and 3.7 cubic feet more with the seats folded down.
Total interior passenger volume in the 2016 is 104.1 cubic feet, vs. 98 cubic feet in the 1998 CR-V.
And the 2016 CR-Vs EPA ratings for fuel mileage are City/Highway/Combined 26 / 33 / 29, which are much better than the Passport's 20 / 25 / 22.
But if you're happy with the Passport then that's all that matters.