2020 Honda Passport vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

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 was a blend of ruggedness and athleticism, positioned between the Honda Pilot and CR-V in terms of size and capability. The Passport's elevated ground clearance and robust styling cues, such as the matte black grille and 20-inch black alloy wheels, contributed to its off-road-ready appearance. Inside, the Passport's cabin was a mix of durable and soft-touch materials, echoing the design of the Honda Pilot. The Elite trim level boasted luxurious features like heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a spacious interior layout that emphasized comfort and practicality.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its distinctive design, characterized by wide headlights, a long hood, and a bold trapezoidal grille. The Highlander's exterior was designed to make a statement, with styling elements reminiscent of the Supra sports car and Lexus models. The introduction of the XSE trim added a sportier appearance with aggressive front-end styling and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Highlander Limited trim offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, including tan leather seats and wood accents. The interior was meticulously crafted, providing a comfortable and upscale environment for passengers, with a focus on luxury rather than sportiness.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the engine provided adequate power for various driving situations, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The AWD version offered slightly lower figures. The Passport excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its torque-vectoring AWD system and drive modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing many of its competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not designed for high-performance driving, the Highlander offered smooth and predictable operation, making it suitable for family use. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, enhancing driving excitement without compromising comfort. The Highlander's powertrain was competitive within its class, offering similar horsepower and torque to rivals like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Highlander Hybrid variant provided an alternative for those seeking improved fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Honda Passport was praised for its practicality, offering a spacious interior with ample room for four adults. Its two-row configuration provided generous legroom and comfort, with features like height-adjustable seatbelts and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The SUV's elevated stance contributed to a high load floor, but the power liftgate and thoughtful storage solutions made it user-friendly.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, as a three-row crossover, prioritized passenger comfort and cargo versatility. The second-row seats could slide to optimize space for rear passengers, although the third row was best suited for children or short trips. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded. With both rear rows down, it provided 84.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The interior featured convenient storage solutions, including shelves for personal items and a wireless charging pad in higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Passport's technology offerings included a 5.0-inch display on the base model, with higher trims featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Additional features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a 10-speaker system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch option available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. The infotainment system was intuitive, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was visually impressive, though some apps were limited in display size. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality, and the inclusion of a volume and tuning knob added to user convenience.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included advanced safety technologies like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. The suite also offered road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.