Honda Passport vs Toyota Highlander: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024
When it comes to midsize SUVs, two names often stand out — Honda Passport and Toyota Highlander. Both have carved their niche in the SUV market for good reasons, and if you’re in the market for a dependable, comfortable SUV, you’re likely deciding between these two options. This guide dives into a head-to-head comparison to help you figure out which SUV better fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Overview: Honda Passport and Toyota Highlander – Midsize SUV Giants
What Makes the Honda Passport Stand Out?
The Honda Passport has gained popularity as a rugged two-row SUV with adventure-ready features. It has a strong V6 engine and an all-wheel-drive option, which make it capable for light off-roading. Passport's spacious interior, enhanced safety technology, and Honda’s strong reliability rating have made it a favorite for drivers seeking a solid, mid-range SUV with flexibility for weekend getaways.
Toyota Highlander’s Distinctive Features
The Toyota Highlander is known for its versatility and ability to seat up to eight passengers, which makes it ideal for families. Available in both V6 and hybrid powertrains, it offers a smoother, more efficient driving experience. Toyota’s reputation for durability shines through in the Highlander, and with its hybrid option, it also appeals to the eco-conscious driver.
Performance Comparison
Engine Options
- Honda Passport: 3.5-liter V6, 280 horsepower
- Toyota Highlander: 3.5-liter V6, 295 horsepower or 2.5-liter hybrid, 243 horsepower
Honda Passport Performance
The Honda Passport comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides the Passport with enough power to handle city driving, highway cruising, and occasional off-road trips. However, one drawback is its fuel economy, which averages around 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, lower than the Highlander's hybrid option.
Toyota Highlander Performance
The Toyota Highlander offers more variety in its engine options. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 295 horsepower, delivering a smoother and more powerful drive than the Passport. For those looking for better fuel economy, the Highlander Hybrid (2.5-liter 4-cylinder with two electric motors) is a top choice, achieving an impressive 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. This makes the Highlander hybrid a more efficient choice for daily commutes, though it may lack some of the rugged power found in the Passport.
Key Takeaway: If fuel economy is a major consideration, the Highlander’s hybrid option stands out. If you’re focused on rugged power, the Passport might have a slight edge.
Interior and Comfort
Honda Passport Interior
The Passport's interior is all about space and utility. With seating for five, it prioritizes cargo room over additional seating rows, giving it a generous cargo area. The rear seats fold flat, creating an expansive storage space that’s perfect for road trips and outdoor adventures.
- Key Features:
- 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space (expandable to 77.9 with seats down)
- Heated front seats and optional heated rear seats
- Available leather upholstery in higher trims
Potential Drawback: Despite its spacious interior, the Honda Passport lacks a third-row seat, which could be a downside for larger families or those who frequently transport extra passengers.
Toyota Highlander Interior
The Highlander takes a family-friendly approach with seating for up to eight passengers (seven with captain’s chairs). Its interior feels upscale in higher trims, with soft-touch materials and a refined design. The Highlander’s cabin space is versatile, though the third-row seats are somewhat cramped for adult passengers.
- Key Features:
- 16 cubic feet behind the third row (expandable to 84.3 cubic feet with both rear rows down)
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Available premium JBL audio system in select trims
Potential Drawback: The Highlander’s third-row seating might feel tight, especially for adults, and some buyers might find the interior materials underwhelming in base trims.
Technology and Infotainment
Honda Passport Technology
Honda’s infotainment system in the Passport includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Its interface is straightforward, though some users report a slight lag when navigating menus.
- Standard Tech:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7-speaker audio system
- Optional navigation in higher trims
Potential Drawback: While the Passport’s infotainment is functional, it lacks some advanced features seen in the Highlander, like a larger screen or integrated navigation in lower trims.
Toyota Highlander Technology
The Highlander features a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen in its higher trims, which provides a more visually engaging experience. The system also integrates Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Additionally, Toyota includes Wi-Fi capability and five USB ports throughout the cabin.
- Standard Tech:
- 8-inch touchscreen in base trims, with 12.3 inches in upper trims
- JBL premium audio available in upper trims
- Toyota Safety Connect for emergency assistance
Potential Drawback: Toyota’s infotainment system has been criticized for being overly complicated, and some users find the voice recognition system to be less intuitive than other brands.
Safety Features
Honda Passport Safety
The Honda Passport includes Honda Sensing as standard, which bundles key safety technologies like collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. These features add to the Passport’s reliability in daily driving, but it lacks some advanced semi-autonomous features found in other SUVs.
Key Safety Features:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Road Departure Mitigation
- Blind-spot monitoring available on higher trims
Potential Drawback: While Honda Sensing is robust, the Passport doesn’t include some features standard that other competitors do, like a surround-view camera, which could benefit urban drivers.
Toyota Highlander Safety
Toyota takes safety a step further with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which comes standard across all trims. This suite includes pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, and road sign assist. In addition, the Highlander has a rear-seat reminder and automatic high beams.
Key Safety Features:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
Potential Drawback: Despite Toyota’s advanced safety suite, the Highlander’s adaptive cruise control can feel less smooth compared to other brands, especially in traffic-heavy areas.
Pricing and Value
Honda Passport Pricing
The Passport has a starting MSRP of around $41,000 for its base model. It’s positioned as a more rugged, adventure-focused SUV, so while the Passport has an appealing starting price, its high trims may feel limited in luxury options.
- Base Price: $41,000
- Elite Trim: $48,000
Potential Drawback: Some may find that the Passport’s high-end trims lack the premium feel offered by other midsize SUVs in the same price range.
Toyota Highlander Pricing
The Highlander starts at a slightly lower base price of around $39,000. Given its standard three-row seating, variety of trims, and hybrid options, the Highlander offers a flexible price range for buyers looking to balance budget with features.
- Base Price: $39,000
- Platinum Trim: $51,000
- Hybrid Option: Available for all trims, starting at $42,000
Potential Drawback: While the Highlander offers excellent value, the pricing on the upper-end Platinum trim can quickly escalate, making it comparable to some luxury SUVs.
Driving Experience and Handling
Honda Passport Driving Impressions
According to SUV enthusiast Alex Collantes, the Honda Passport “is built for people who don’t just drive on highways — it’s got a solid build, more ground clearance, and is stable on rough terrains.” With its AWD capabilities, the Passport handles well in off-road scenarios, though it’s not as smooth on highways compared to its peers.
- Strengths:
- Solid handling on unpaved roads
- Responsive steering
Potential Drawback: The Passport’s rugged setup can lead to a rougher ride on highways, and its cabin noise level is slightly higher than the Highlander’s.
Toyota Highlander Driving Impressions
Collantes says the Highlander is “focused on comfort, a refined drive, and families who want convenience in a spacious ride.” With its lower ground clearance, the Highlander has more car-like handling, ideal for city and highway driving.
- Strengths:
- Smooth highway ride
- Quiet cabin
Potential Drawback: The Highlander may lack the off-road capability some drivers look for in an SUV and feels less responsive on tight turns due to its size.
Final Verdict: Which SUV is Right for You?
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Choose the Honda Passport if:
- You need a more rugged, off-road-capable SUV
- Cargo space is a higher priority than passenger capacity
- A powerful V6 engine is a must for you
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Choose the Toyota Highlander if:
- You need an SUV with third-row seating
- Fuel efficiency is a top concern, especially with the hybrid option
- You prioritize a smoother, quieter ride on city roads
Closing Thoughts
Both the Honda Passport and Toyota Highlander offer distinct benefits and drawbacks, with the Passport leaning toward rugged utility and the Highlander focusing on family-friendly features and efficiency. If you’re still on the fence, consider what you value most in an SUV and take each for a test drive — nothing beats getting a feel for a vehicle firsthand.