The Toyota 4Runner vs. Honda Passport: An SUV Battle for the Ages

If you’re shopping for a capable and dependable SUV, you’ve probably come across the Toyota 4Runner and the Honda Passport. The 4Runner is one of the Toyota SUVs that people turn to when they want to take their adventures off the beaten path. But can the Passport take on rough terrain, too? It can, but not quite to the extent of the 4Runner.

Choose Your Power

You can choose your power with the 4Runner; you have a couple of options. Most trims come with the 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder that puts out 278 horsepower. If you like rear-wheel drive, the 4Runner will bring a smile to your face, but four-wheel drive is available, too.
The second option for the 4Runner is Toyota’s i-Force MAX. It adds a hybrid setup to the four-cylinder gas engine, bumps the horsepower to 326, and comes standard with four-wheel drive.
The Passport has one engine for all the trims. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivers 280 horsepower and comes with all-wheel drive.

Heading Off-Road

If you’re looking at Toyota SUVs like the 4Runner, chances are you’ll be taking some time to enjoy off-road adventures or at least drive where the roads are not smooth pavement. The 4Runner has several trims with extra equipment to make this a better experience. The available TRD-tuned FOX high-performance shocks and TRD off-road crawl control system are made for fun and adventure.
The 4Runner Trailhunter trim has a hard-to-beat 10.1 inches of ground clearance. The Passport TrailSport comes close with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, but it doesn’t quite get there. The TrailSport also adds some extra equipment, including an off-road-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires.

Get Comfortable in the Cabin

Both the 4Runner and Passport have spacious and comfortable cabins. You can get heated seats, power-adjustable front seats, and driver’s seat memory settings in the 4Runner, depending on which trim you have. The high-end Platinum even has upgraded premium leather upholstery and heated seats in the second row.
The Passport comes out on top when it comes to the upscale feel in the cabin. It starts with leather upholstery and three-zone automatic climate control. The top-level Black Edition has ventilated front seats, upgraded perforated leather, and a game-changing heated steering wheel.

Totally Teched Out

If you like your tech and like to take it with you on the road, you’ll love the 4Runners mid and higher-end trims. A 14-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system sits in the dash. It comes loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for syncing your phone. A 14-speaker JBL stereo is available, and if you want to keep your music with you when you get out, the portable Bluetooth speaker makes it possible.
The Passport’s tech is good, but it falls just short of the 4Runner. An 8-inch touchscreen houses the infotainment system. It’s available with built-in navigation, and you’ll get a seven or 10-speaker stereo system. The wireless charging pad comes standard, making it easy to keep your phone fully charged.