Toyota 4Runner vs Honda Passport

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner exhibited a robust and muscular design, sharing many design elements with the Tacoma pickup. Its pronounced wheel haunches and black wheel flares on off-road models contributed to its rugged appearance. The vehicle's sheet metal was heavily creased and angled, particularly along the sides, which some might have found excessive. The front grille sat high, with a lower intake that gave an underbite look, especially on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models, which featured unique bumpers for improved approach angles. These models also boasted heritage-inspired front ends with "Toyota" lettering on the grille and an integrated light bar. The rear side windows extended into the roof, reminiscent of the original 4Runner from the 1980s. Wheel sizes varied from 18 to 20 inches. Inside, the 4Runner's interior was simple and utilitarian, with chunky control dials and an abundance of hard plastic. Cloth upholstery was standard, with synthetic leather available on higher trims, and leather upholstery on the Limited and Platinum trims, though the cabin never quite achieved a high-end feel.

The 2027 Honda Passport had a handsome, upright stance with large windows that provided excellent visibility. Even the base RTL model exuded a rugged vibe, enhanced by distinctive daytime running lights surrounding the rectangular headlights. The TrailSport trims added orange front recovery hooks, TrailSport badging, and all-terrain tires for genuine off-road capability. New for 2027, the TrailSports featured amber hood-scoop lights, adding a cool aesthetic touch. The interior offered gray cloth and leather seats with a premium look, featuring a black stripe and dark reverse stitching. Unlike some competitors, the dash materials didn't feel overly plasticky, though the area around the gear shift and cupholders had some hard plastic. Upgrading to TrailSport trims brought better materials, including textured topographical map mats and easy-to-clean leatherette seating surfaces. The TrailSport's all-season floor mats were practical for muddy or snowy conditions.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offered two powertrains with rear-wheel drive or two four-wheel-drive systems. The base engine, known as i-Force, was a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The i-Force Max hybrid system added an electric motor, boosting output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Our TRD Off-Road Premium tester featured the hybrid powertrain, which, despite its torque, wasn't particularly quick, achieving a mid-to-low seven-second 0–60 mph time. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-matched to the engine, with more aggressive tuning in Sport mode. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with features like a locking rear differential, Bilstein dampers, and a Multi-Terrain System with six drive modes. The Trailhunter and TRD Pro models offered even more off-road enhancements, including higher ground clearance and unique bumpers. However, the 4Runner's on-road dynamics were compromised, with notable lean in corners and a firm suspension that didn't absorb bumps well.

The 2027 Honda Passport stood out with its standard V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It provided smooth highway acceleration and sufficient torque for low-speed off-road maneuvers. Despite a slight decrease in power compared to the 2026 model, the difference was negligible. The Passport's V6 felt smoother than the Jeep Grand Cherokee's base engine. During testing, the 2027 TrailSport model showcased improved off-road capabilities, with reengineered suspension and increased ground clearance. The Trail mode was effective, and steel skid plates protected the engine and fuel tank. Optional rock sliders were recommended for serious off-roaders. While lacking locking differentials, the Passport's Trail mode kept it moving through challenging obstacles, proving its off-road capability.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offered two seating configurations: a two-row setup for five passengers or a three-row option for up to seven. The front seats were the most comfortable, though they only came with manual adjustments as standard. Heated front seats were standard on all but the base trim, with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel available on Premium trims and higher. The second row provided decent space but lacked comfort, with low seat bottoms that didn't offer adequate thigh support. The Platinum trim added heated and reclining second-row seats. Cargo space was competitive with midsize rivals, but accessibility was limited. Gas-only two-row models offered 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.2 cubic feet behind the first row, while hybrid models had slightly less space due to a higher load floor.

The 2027 Honda Passport impressed with practical features, including knee-height cupholders and a convenient dash cubby. It offered 44 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, with underfloor storage options. The TrailSport trims included a full-size spare tire kit, which proved useful during testing. The Passport accommodated five passengers, with a flat floor in the second row for improved comfort. However, the seats were firm and could become uncomfortable on long trips. The high ride height made entry challenging, and additional hand grips would have been beneficial for easier access.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner came standard with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen, which expanded to 12.3 inches and 14 inches, respectively, in higher trims. Our tester featured the 14-inch screen, which, while large and easy to use, lacked visual flair. It offered quick access to functions like navigation and entertainment. The 4Runner included a one-year trial of Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Service Connect, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot for a month. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided customizable information, including vehicle status and fuel economy. Other standard tech features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and a wireless phone charger in higher trims.

The 2027 Honda Passport offered a wealth of standard tech features, including a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 10.2-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google built-in. The TrailSport trim added the TrailWatch camera system, ambient lighting, and power-folding side mirrors. The TrailSport Elite included a Bose premium audio system and rain-sensing wipers. The TrailWatch cameras were particularly useful during off-road testing, providing high-definition views for wheel placement. The Honda Trail Experience app offered additional functionality, displaying information like pitch, roll, and tire angle on the infotainment screen.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 suite, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. It also featured blind-spot monitors and cross-traffic alert. However, its crash test ratings were mixed, with four out of five stars from the NHTSA and a Marginal score from the IIHS in the moderate front overlap crash test. The 4Runner received Good ratings in side crash tests and front crash prevention systems.

The 2027 Honda Passport came standard with Honda Sensing, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. It also featured blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. While safety ratings for the 2027 model were not yet available, the 2026 Passport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The Passport offered more standard safety tech than its competitors and had better safety ratings than the 4Runner.