Honda Passport vs Lexus TX

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 standard 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 nearly invisible rock sliders and a scratch-resistant roof panel for leaning equipment. At the rear, the blocky tailgate had a two-tone design, and all models came with standard roof rails and 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Passport offered a straightforward and functional interior with three trim levels: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite. The TrailSport trim featured a blend of synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, while the TrailSport Elite boasted all-genuine leather. Despite the superior materials in the Elite trim, the TrailSport's interior was more visually appealing. The Passport's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample cargo space and user-friendly features.

The 2026 Lexus TX, available in various trim levels, offered a luxurious yet understated interior. The TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid featured a standard panoramic glass roof and the eye-catching Matador Red Mica paint option. Most models came with 20-inch wheels, while the 550h+ boasted 22-inch wheels. The front grille retained the spindle shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Roof rails were included for added storage options. Inside, the TX offered multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom, making it comfortable for adults. However, folding the second row flat required a specific sequence of lever flips, which could be cumbersome. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support, and the climate controls were primarily on the screen, with physical dials for temperature adjustments. The TX excelled in cargo space, offering 20.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded.

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 TrailSport Elite trim offered a multi-view mode with four camera angles for navigating trails. The Passport came standard with Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system and seven drive modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Sand, Sport, Trail, and Tow. However, it lacked locking differentials and a low-range 4WD system. The Passport's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and it was powered by 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. The TrailSport's all-terrain tires generated some noise on highways, but the cabin was otherwise well-insulated. The Passport's fuel economy was estimated at 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined in RTL trim, with a maximum driving distance of around 450 miles.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of powertrains, with the base model producing 317 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The plug-in hybrid 550h+ generated 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. The TX featured a seven-kilowatt charger, allowing for a full battery charge in under three hours. The TX offered various drive options, including electric-only, hybrid, and gasoline-only modes, making it versatile for different driving scenarios. The TX's drive modes included Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The 550h+ provided a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The suspension absorbed bumps effectively, and the brakes were firm and linear. The TX's all-wheel drive system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, and a Trail Mode helped maintain traction on slippery surfaces.

The 2026 Honda Passport featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering a user-friendly interface with physical buttons and knobs for controls. It excelled in cargo space, with 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 83.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it the most capacious in its segment. The Passport also offered best-in-class rear-seat legroom and practical storage solutions, including a full-size spare tire compartment. The TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims came with a panoramic moonroof, and the TrailSport Elite added ventilated front seats. The Adventure Package included a removable rear cargo shelf that could be used as a table.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ offered standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The second row featured captain's chairs with a removable center console, but folding the seats flat required a specific sequence of lever flips. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX's climate controls were primarily on the screen, with physical dials for temperature adjustments. The TX excelled in cargo space, offering 20.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2026 Honda Passport featured 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's touchscreen was easy to use, with bright colors and intuitive navigation. Additional tech features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB-C charging ports, and a 10.2-inch digital driver information display. The TrailSport Elite trim added a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and the TrailWatch camera system.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch touchscreen with quick response times, but some features lacked polish. The steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were not labeled, requiring the driver to rely on the gauge cluster display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues occasionally occurred. The TX offered subscription-based features like in-dash navigation and a voice assistant. The backup camera provided a clear view, and the available Advanced Park system handled parking duties. The TX also featured a rear-camera mirror and seven USB ports, along with a 120-volt/1500-watt outlet in the second row.

The 2026 Honda Passport came equipped with Honda Safety Sense, which included 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. The Passport also 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 Lexus TX featured Safety System+ 3.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, Lane Tracing Assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was initially confusing to set up. The TX 350 and TX 500h received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the TX earned an "Acceptable" rating in the IIHS small overlap front crash test on the driver's side and a "Good" rating for the passenger's side.