2021 Honda Passport vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a rugged-looking exterior reminiscent of a traditional SUV, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and most other compact crossovers. Despite its bold exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with sedans and minivans, which meant its mechanical underpinnings were more akin to a Camry than a 4Runner. The RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road models offered additional styling touches like matte black wheels, LED fog lights, and unique interior accents, enhancing its rugged appeal.

Inside, the RAV4's cabin featured functional touches such as large rubberized knobs and door handles, distinguishing it from other Toyota models. Material quality was decent on lower trims but didn't improve significantly on higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, which was lighter and durable but lacked the option for real leather, even on the top-tier Limited trim. Overall, the RAV4's interior combined rugged styling with practical features, though it fell short in offering premium materials.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, with two rows of seats instead of three. The exterior and interior styling closely mirrored the Pilot, including the awkward "button shifter" design for the automatic transmission. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, with each offering progressively more features, such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

The Passport's interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with rear seats that could recline and slide for added comfort. Cargo space was generous, with up to 100.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The center console featured a deep storage bin and an open cargo tray, while both front and rear seats had deep in-door pockets for additional storage. The Passport's upright seating position offered excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a single engine option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and delivered impressive power for a naturally aspirated four-cylinder. However, the transmission often hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feedback, making the driving experience less engaging. The RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road models offered off-road capabilities with a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well, though the stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport offered a comfortable ride with refined handling, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The AWD model could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the FWD model could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4's tall, upright roof provided good headroom and visibility, though legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, above average but behind the Honda CR-V. The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were easy to use, but the center console storage was limited, lacking large cupholders or a place for loose change.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage was available. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep storage bin and an open cargo tray. Both front and rear seats had deep in-door pockets, and the rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid offered a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked advanced features like a head-up display, which was only available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, along with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a step up from the Pilot, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a lackluster volume dial. Despite these shortcomings, the inclusion of standard smartphone connectivity was a notable advantage.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.

The 2021 Honda Passport came with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The NHTSA gave the Passport a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS awarded it top scores in most crash tests, with "Acceptable" ratings for passenger-side small overlap front crash test, headlights, and child-seat anchor ease of use. The Passport also received an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention tech.