2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a major redesign in over a decade, making it a familiar sight on the road. Despite minor updates, a used 4Runner was nearly identical to a new one, save for some modern infotainment and safety features. Its design, characterized by a rugged, two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches, had aged well, offering balanced proportions and timeless styling. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition, which featured unique elements such as dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket.

Inside, the Trail Special Edition boasted black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and suited the SUV's utilitarian nature. The dashboard was old-school, with large knobs and buttons, and the vehicle required a traditional key to start. These features, along with its durability and simplicity, endeared the 4Runner to its owners, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, making it a shorter, two-row version of the Pilot with distinct styling. The Passport's new nose design aimed to give it a tougher look, and it was available in three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, targeted off-road enthusiasts with standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes for various conditions.

Inside, the Passport offered one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment, with quality materials and careful assembly. The TrailSport trim added orange contrast stitching, amber ambient lighting, and rubber all-season floor mats. The Passport's interior was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of storage options and a generous cargo area measuring 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. This combination of driving dynamics, utility, and comfort made the Passport an easy vehicle to live with.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Trail Special Edition featured a part-time 4WD drivetrain, with A-Trac off-road traction control as standard. During testing at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, the 4Runner demonstrated its off-road prowess, particularly with A-Trac's ability to brake spinning wheels and transfer power to those in contact with the ground. However, on paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with a rough ride and heavy steering. Fuel economy was also a concern, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined and an observed average of 16.8 mpg.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The TrailSport trim came with Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system, which could distribute up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. The Passport offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined for the AWD model and an observed average of 21.3 mpg. While the Passport's off-road capabilities were limited compared to the 4Runner, it excelled on paved roads with firm, communicative ride quality and athletic handling. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern given the Passport's 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance could pose a challenge for shorter passengers, but once inside, the seats were comfortable and supportive. The rear seat offered ample legroom, good visibility, and air conditioning vents. The 4Runner's cargo space was generous, with up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's sliding cargo deck, capable of holding 440 pounds, added to its practicality.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large doors and a low step-in height, making entry and exit easy. The front seats were large and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated seats. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position, with large windows providing an open feel. The Passport offered plenty of interior storage, including a massive center console bin and various door panel shelves. Cargo space was also generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition was light on technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, point-of-interest search, and voice recognition, along with a one-year subscription to Destination Assist. The system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred for navigation due to the Passport's clunky system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but overall, the Passport's technology was not particularly advanced.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.