2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Honda Passport

In 2021, the Toyota 4Runner had a rather robust and somewhat outdated aesthetic due to its last major redesign being 12 years prior. Despite receiving updates over the years, the design largely remained constant, making older models quite comparable to the newer ones, though without the latest infotainment and safety technologies. The 4Runner was not traditionally attractive; it wore a dominating, aggressive look, especially in most of its trims except for the 4Runner Limited. Despite this, its two-box body, with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches, projected balanced proportions, timeless styling, and undeniable utility. Toyota provided the 4Runner in various trim levels including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like Trail, Venture, and Nightshade. Pricing ranged from $36,950 to $50,570, depending on the specific model and drivetrain.

The Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition, priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model, was positioned affordably within the lineup. Adding 4WD increased the total cost by $1,875, while further additions like the premium audio upgrade and TRD front skid plate brought the total to $43,729, including the destination charge. Its distinctive colors — white, black, Cement gray, and Army Green — alongside the dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket, made it stand out.

Inside, the Trail Special Edition featured black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, a sliding rear cargo tray, and an exclusive custom-made 40-quart cooler. The interior, dominated by hard plastics, was practical and easy to clean, resonating with the SUV’s utilitarian nature. The retro dashboard, with large knobs and buttons, manual air conditioning, and even a traditional key ignition, added to its charm as a simple, durable vehicle suitable for long-term use.

The 2021 Honda Passport, by contrast, was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, offering two rows of seats instead of three. Its design, both exterior and interior, closely mirrored that of the Pilot. However, it had to contend with Honda's awkward button shifter design instead of a conventional lever. Despite corporate design choices, the Passport provided a spacious and high-quality interior.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport spanned from Sport to Elite, each adding more luxurious features. The base Sport trim included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and more. The EX-L trim brought leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and more power-adjustable seats and mirrors, while the Touring added premium features like parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and an upgraded stereo system. The top-tier Elite trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner made a strong case for off-roading capabilities. Its standard 4.0-liter V6 engine produced 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The powertrain included a five-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and an optional part-time 4WD system. The maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner Trail Special Edition, equipped with the A-Trac off-road traction control system, performed admirably at the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, demonstrating its robustness on demanding terrains.

However, the 4Runner's performance on paved roads was less impressive. It felt heavy, slow, and clunky, with cumbersome steering and brakes. Frequent stops at gas stations were almost a given as the SUV only achieved 17 mpg combined driving and 19 mpg on the highway according to EPA estimates. The average fuel economy observed was 16.8 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Passport came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, channeling power through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 allowed for strong acceleration with commendable power management by the automatic transmission. Despite an abrupt stop-start system, which could be deactivated, the Passport delivered a comfortable, refined ride with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and various drive modes for the AWD model. FWD models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

Interior space and cargo capacity in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner and the 2021 Honda Passport catered to a range of needs. The 4Runner, sitting high off the ground, could be challenging to board for shorter individuals unless equipped with running boards. Inside, it provided comfort across both rows, with proper support and a generous amount of legroom in the rear. The SUV offered a sense of open-air experience with its sunroof, power windows, and rear tailgate glass.

While a third-row seat was optional, the test vehicle lacked this feature. Instead, it had a sliding cargo deck capable of holding 440 pounds, though it did reduce cargo volume slightly. The 4Runner provided up to 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down. Combined with the Trail Special Edition’s large roof rack, there was ample room for adventure gear.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda Passport offered impressive cargo capacity. With rear seats folded, it provided up to 100.8 cubic feet of space. With the second row in use, it still offered a substantial 50.5 cubic feet, augmented by an additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray. Higher trims like the EX-L featured a power liftgate, with the Touring and Elite providing hands-free power liftgates.

The Passport offered excellent visibility from an upright seating position, along with a deep center bin and open cargo tray below the shifter. Deep in-door pockets on both front and rear doors added to its practicality. The rear seats were particularly accommodating, providing ample headroom and legroom, and the ability to recline and slide.

Technological offerings in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner were modest, particularly in the Trail Special Edition. It included a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The 4Runner’s infotainment setup comprised an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, alongside SiriusXM satellite radio and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, advanced voice recognition, and a concierge service subscription. Although the system appeared basic, its functionality was commendable, with user-friendly physical buttons and knobs suitable for gloved operation.

The 2021 Honda Passport made strides by standardizing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across all trims, managed through an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was an advantage over the Pilot, which required an upgrade to access these features, the Passport’s infotainment system lagged with dated graphics and a confusing menu layout. Its volume dial felt like a late addition, but it was appreciated nonetheless.

Safety features in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Notably absent were blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, leaving a potential safety gap. NHTSA gave the 4Runner a three-star rollover resistance rating, while IIHS rated its roof strength as "Good" but its small overlap front crash protection as "Marginal."

The 2021 Honda Passport was well-equipped with advanced safety features including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and optional systems like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. NHTSA awarded the Passport an overall rating of five out of five stars, while IIHS gave it "Good" scores in most crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for passenger-side small overlap front crash tests. However, the Passport's headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use were rated "Acceptable," and its front crash prevention tech was rated "Advanced."