2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Honda Passport was a testament to Honda's consistent design philosophy, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda buyers. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a scaled-down Pilot or an enhanced CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Passport's elevated ground clearance and robust styling cues suggested off-road capability, while its interior maintained a sophisticated, utilitarian feel. The cabin, largely mirroring the Honda Pilot, featured a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, providing comfort and practicality. The Elite trim level came well-equipped with luxury features like heated and ventilated seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and advanced driver’s seat adjustments, ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, utilitarian design, which had aged well over the years. Despite its somewhat aggressive front-end styling, the 4Runner's two-box body and flared fenders conveyed a sense of timelessness and functionality. The interior, while not luxurious, offered comfort and practicality with supportive seating and ample legroom. The Trail Special Edition, in particular, provided unique features like a sliding cargo deck and a custom cooler, enhancing its appeal for outdoor enthusiasts. The 4Runner's design emphasized durability and simplicity, appealing to those who valued a rugged, no-nonsense SUV experience.

The 2020 Honda Passport was powered by a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered smooth performance across various driving conditions. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while AWD versions managed slightly lower figures. The Passport excelled in off-road scenarios, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and multiple drive modes, making it surprisingly capable on rugged terrains. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing many of its competitors.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, produced 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Its five-speed automatic transmission and part-time 4WD system provided adequate power for off-road adventures, though its on-road performance felt sluggish and cumbersome. The 4Runner's off-road prowess was enhanced by features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select, making it a formidable choice for challenging terrains. However, its fuel efficiency was notably poor, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing, with a maximum range of about 385 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized practicality with its spacious interior and ample cargo capacity. It offered comfortable seating for four adults, with height-adjustable seatbelts and multiple LATCH connections for child seats. The Passport's cargo area provided 41.2 cubic feet of space, with additional under-floor storage, making it ideal for family trips. Its interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including a large center console and secondary shelf space, enhancing its utility for everyday use.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, while sitting high off the ground, offered a comfortable and spacious interior. Its front and rear seats provided good support, and the back seat featured ample legroom and convenient amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The 4Runner's cargo space was generous, with up to 47.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Trail Special Edition's sliding cargo deck and roof rack further enhanced its practicality for outdoor adventures.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a practical infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with responsive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, while higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's Trail Special Edition came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation and voice recognition, enhancing its functionality. Despite its old-school appearance, the system was easy to use, with physical buttons and knobs that could be operated while wearing gloves.

The 2020 Honda Passport was designed with safety in mind, earning high scores from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included features like collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner included the TSS-P safety package, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane departure warning. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, which were notable omissions. The 4Runner's safety ratings reflected its age, with lower scores in certain crash tests, though its roof strength was rated highly by the IIHS.