Honda Passport vs Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Honda Passport presented a bold and rugged appearance, characterized by its extra-large proportions and blocky dimensions. Its design was a modern interpretation of a rugged SUV, with a long 113.6-inch wheelbase and a nearly flat hood that provided a great approach angle. The Passport's front end featured bracket-shaped amber running lights framing the upper grille and a thin hood scoop above the Honda emblem. The vehicle's wider and visually stronger stance made it resemble competitors like the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee, while still maintaining a distinct Honda identity. The profile view, with its blacked-out D-pillar and large tinted rear-quarter window, drew inspiration from a backpack, though it also bore similarities to the pre-2024 Chevrolet Traverse and Land Rover Discovery. The Passport included practical features like rock sliders and a scratch-resistant roof panel, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The rear design featured a blocky tailgate with a two-tone color scheme and standard roof rails, contributing to its rugged appeal.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Venue was classified as a crossover SUV, though it resembled a tall hatchback. Its design leaned more towards a crossover, with a small and narrow appearance reminiscent of European runabouts. The Venue's upright windshield and bluff nose gave it an SUV-like look, complemented by standard roof rails. The high nose was flanked by lower headlights and high-set daytime running lights, while black rocker panels and wheel flares added to its SUV aesthetic. The Venue's rear pillars angled sharply forward, and a two-tone roof option added flair. Inside, the Venue featured a simple and functional design, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad. Body-color trim accents added a touch of style to the interior.

The 2026 Honda Passport, particularly in TrailSport trims, was engineered for both on-road and off-road performance. It featured improved approach and departure angles, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels for enhanced ride comfort and off-road traction. The Passport was equipped with Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system and offered seven distinct drive modes, including Sport, Trail, and Tow. It had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Passport excelled in off-road environments, with its V6 engine providing ample power and the steering offering a satisfying weight. However, the all-terrain tires generated noticeable noise on highways. Despite its less-efficient V6 engine, the Passport aimed to reduce emissions, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined in RTL trim.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Venue was one of the least powerful vehicles on the market, powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Venue's 0-60 mph time ranged from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds, aided by its lightweight 2,738-pound frame. While the Venue felt peppy in city traffic, it struggled at highway speeds, with the transmission being slow to downshift. The Venue's handling benefited from its small size and low weight, making it easy to maneuver in traffic and fit into tight parking spots. However, its 6.7 inches of ground clearance resulted in some lean in corners, and the ride could be jiggly on rough pavement.

The 2026 Honda Passport featured a modern interior with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, physical buttons, and knobs for controls. It excelled in cargo space, offering 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 83.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it a class leader. The Passport also provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom and ample storage options, catering to family road trips. TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims included a panoramic moonroof and ventilated front seats, with post-production option packages available for added versatility.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and H-Tex seats with manual adjustments, providing comfort and a sporty appearance. While headroom was plentiful, legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated average-sized adults but lacked a fold-down armrest. The Venue offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.7 cubic feet with them up. The rear cargo floor lifted to access a compact spare tire, but cost-cutting was evident in the lack of sound deadening. The Venue's interior featured hard black plastic surfaces, with limited soft-touch materials.

The 2026 Honda Passport boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps. It also supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charger. The Passport included a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB-C charging ports, and a 10.2-inch digital driver information display. The TrailSport Elite trim featured a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and the TrailWatch camera system for a birds-eye view.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment functions, including phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections. It lacked navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio but offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Venue's audio system consisted of six speakers, with no premium option available. The digital instrument cluster displayed limited information and was not programmable.

The 2026 Honda Passport came equipped with Honda Safety Sense, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. It featured eight standard airbags. However, the previous-generation Passport had less-than-stellar crash test results, and the 2026 model's safety ratings were pending.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, and rear-occupant warning. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were available on all but the base SE trim. The Venue received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with the IIHS yet to release full safety ratings. It received a "Good" score in the small front overlap test, but other ratings were unavailable.