2020 Honda Passport vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a return to a more rugged and adventurous design reminiscent of Toyota's classic trucks. The front end featured a bold, flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle compared to previous models. The fenders and wheel wells had hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the large greenhouse of the original RAV4. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, boasted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid's cabin was adorned with padded dash and door trim, blue stitching, and silver accents, creating a high-quality feel. The oversized knobs and buttons, borrowed from the Tundra, added to the rugged aesthetic, while the snug front seats with blue-striped cloth inserts provided comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Passport followed Honda's traditional design playbook, offering a practical and rugged appearance. The exterior styling cues made it look more athletic and capable than the Pilot and CR-V, with a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights. The Passport Elite trim came loaded with features, including perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a moonroof. The interior was a mix of hard-wearing and soft-to-the-touch materials, with a spacious cabin that emphasized width. The button-heavy shifting mechanism took up minimal space, contributing to the overall practicality of the design. The Passport's interior was designed for comfort and utility, with ample storage options and thoughtful features like height-adjustable seatbelts and three full LATCH connections for child safety seats.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivered an impressive performance for an eco-minded vehicle. Its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, combined with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery, produced 219 horsepower. The hybrid system provided a seamless and quiet driving experience, with the engine switching on and off effortlessly. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) ensured smooth acceleration, although the all-wheel drive (AWD) system was sometimes slow to counter wheelspin. The RAV4 Hybrid's handling was stable and connected, with sport-tuned dampers and springs in the XSE trim enhancing the driving experience. The fuel efficiency was exceptional, averaging 36 mpg over 400 miles, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Honda Passport, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered smooth performance in various driving situations. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models. The all-wheel drive versions performed slightly worse. The Passport excelled in off-road conditions, with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, significantly more than its rivals. The Passport's performance was reliable and capable, making it suitable for both highway driving and off-road adventures.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent interior space and practicality. With 37.5 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the seats folded, it provided ample storage. The second-row legroom was generous, and the air conditioning was highly effective. The large knobs and switches enhanced ergonomics, although the controls for windows, locks, and mirrors were not illuminated at night. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear menus and customizable shortcuts. The RAV4 Hybrid's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Honda Passport was also highly practical, with a spacious interior that could comfortably accommodate four adults. The seats were similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, providing ample knee and legroom. The Passport offered 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with the most under-floor storage in its class. The tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades added to passenger comfort. The Passport excelled in small-item storage, with a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors. The interior materials were easy to clean, and the heating and cooling functionalities were effective. The Passport's design prioritized practicality and comfort, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a user-friendly infotainment interface with a touchscreen that accepted swiping and pinching gestures. The home screen could be customized with shortcuts, although the maps looked dated. Toyota's Entune 3.0 included apps like NPR, but required a smartphone connection. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate, and the lane-keep assist was not designed for semi-automated operation. Toyota offered standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years. The best technology in the RAV4 Hybrid was the seamless hybrid system.

The 2020 Honda Passport came with a 5.0-inch display monitor in the base Sport model, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The larger screen was responsive and easy to navigate, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The Passport's infotainment system was practical and user-friendly, although the dashboard design looked slightly outdated.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with 4 out of 5 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated the RAV4 (not the Hybrid) as Good in all six crash tests and Superior for its collision-avoidance system. Toyota Safety Sense was standard, including forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. Unique safety features included an airbag in the front passenger seat's cushion and a driver's knee airbag. Rear emergency braking was optional.

The 2020 Honda Passport achieved good scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technology was standard, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. A rearview camera with a birds-eye view was also standard. Higher trims offered dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection. The Passport's safety technology was comprehensive and well-suited for most drivers.