2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Honda Passport

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 carried forward a design philosophy that Toyota aficionados had grown accustomed to since 2019. Offered in six distinct trim levels, it provided a spectrum of options ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the luxurious RAV4 Limited, with Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims catering to those inclined towards rugged aesthetics, even if only superficially. In particular, these trims retained a two-part face design that distinguished them from other variants.

Our test of the Adventure trim revealed a more aggressive front grille that set it apart. The Toyota badge repositioned closer to the center of this grille, complemented by blacked-out wheels and a faux skid plate. Despite these features, the Adventure trim seemed more about style than substance; it looked rugged without necessarily being capable of conquering serious off-road challenges. Orange accents added a splash of flair inside, with stripes and contrast stitching adorning the seats and center console.

A significant interior highlight was the frameless rearview mirror, lending a touch of elegance to what was otherwise a straightforward cabin. While the RAV4 lacked some solid premium feel in its basic designs, trims like the Limited aimed to elevate the experience with heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats and a heated steering wheel. Dual-zone climate control, standard on all but the base trim, added a layer of comfort.

In stark contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport maintained a more consistent, albeit slightly dated, look. It refrained from adopting Honda’s newest design language, sticking with a more upright grille and squared-off corners introduced in 2022. The Passport kept things simple with just three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition, each coming standard with leather seats, a power moonroof, and AWD.

The TrailSport, the focus of our test, aimed for ruggedness but didn’t fully commit. While equipped with genuine all-terrain tires and standard roof rails, its skid plates were plastic, not metal, and it lacked significant off-road enhancements like recovery points or a lift kit.

Inside, the Passport showcased a blend of resilience and simplicity. Black leather upholstery with orange stitching was a staple in the TrailSport, but the Passport’s interior overall leaned towards a practical design with physical controls and ample storage. The 8-inch touchscreen felt somewhat out of place given the spacious dimensions, and the abundance of hard plastics reminded users of its utilitarian mission.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with a single gas engine option, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, performed adequately, though its acceleration was more about being unobtrusive than exciting. It also produced noticeable noise, especially under hard acceleration.

Both the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims came standard with AWD, which added practical features like a Snow Mode. While the TRD Off-Road trim boasted special Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension, the Adventure trim was less equipped for strenuous off-road activities, sporting 19-inch wheels with all-season tires.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Passport employed a longstanding 3.5-liter V6 engine, offering a robust 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain excelled in providing smooth and unobtrusive shifts, though peak torque arrived later in the rev range, slightly impacting acceleration.

Mechanically, the TrailSport trim featured wider tracks and a suspension tuned for off-road articulation, riding on 18-inch wheels fitted with all-terrain tires. Honda’s iVTM4 AWD system included various traction settings, enhancing versatility. However, these settings were standard across all trims. The Passport also stood out with a significant towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which outclassed many of its rivals but fell behind the more rugged Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Seating five, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a mixed bag of interior dimensions. Front-row occupants had 37.7 inches of headroom with the moonroof and 41 inches of legroom, while rear passengers enjoyed 39.5 inches of headroom and 37.8 inches of legroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Compared to its peers, the RAV4’s front-row legroom was on par with the Honda CR-V but less than the Subaru Forester. The rear seat’s narrower width also somewhat confined compared to rivals.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport excelled in spaciousness, particularly for cargo. It provided 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, extending to 77.7 cubic feet with them folded, making it a leader in its class. Passenger space was generous for five adults, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than the Hyundai Santa Fe. Notably, the center console in the Passport featured a revised design for added storage, though it slightly diminished the open feel in the front seats.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 adopted a much-needed update to its infotainment system, featuring standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model started with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen. Our Adventure trim came with an upgraded multimedia package, including a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. Despite these upgrades, the Adventure missed out on the more advanced driver display available on the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda Passport lagged with an 8-inch touchscreen across all trims. While the display offered sharp resolution, its small size felt inadequate for the Passport’s spacious cabin. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad were standard. However, the tech had some quirks, such as persistent turn-by-turn directions in the driver’s information display. The TrailSport’s audio system also fell short, offering a thinner sound quality compared to premium systems in competitors.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 stood out with its comprehensive safety system, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. Standard features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Notably, the adaptive cruise control could function at speeds below 20 mph. The RAV4 earned top scores from the IIHS, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

Honda also equipped the 2024 Passport with a robust safety suite, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Passport did not perform as well in crash tests, earning lower ratings in the passenger-side small overlap and updated side-impact tests from the IIHS. It wasn’t named a Top Safety Pick, though it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.