Compare the2024 Honda PassportVS 2024 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The 4Runner’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Passport. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Passport uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Passport and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Passport	4Runner
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	149	267
Neck Injury Risk	28%	47%
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	438 lbs.
Neck Compression	36 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	46/243 lbs.	488/468 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	216	367
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	57%
Neck Stress	116 lbs.	271 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the 4Runner:

	Passport	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.1/.5 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.41/.41	.95/.85
Tibia forces R/L	1.8/1.5 kN	5/2.9 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Passport	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	179 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	304 lbs.	381 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	20 inches
HIC	406	507
Hip Force	838 lbs.	895 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Passport, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 7.2% to 7.7% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

Reliability

The engine in the Passport has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the 4Runner has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

Engine

The Passport’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (280 vs. 270) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Passport is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Passport	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.1 sec	22 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	112 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Passport gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
Passport
	AWD	3.5 SOHC V6	19 city/24 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	AWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Passport’s fuel efficiency. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Passport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Passport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Passport has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the 4Runner. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

The Passport stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Passport	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	181 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Passport TrailSport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passport TrailSport has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner.

The Passport has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Passport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passport’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the 4Runner (110.9 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Passport Elite handles at .78 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Passport Elite executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the Passport’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Passport has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The 4Runner uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Passport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Passport Elite is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road:

	Passport	4Runner
At idle	39 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Passport has .2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear hip room and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (41.2 vs. 9 cubic feet).

The Passport’s cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Passport	4Runner
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.5”/76”	42”/66.3”
Max Width	52”	57.7”
Min Width	45.5”	42.4”
Height	30”	39.5”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Passport’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Passport has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Passport Elite, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Servicing Ease

A Maintenance Minder is standard on the Passport to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, brake pad replacement, and transmission fluid replacement, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The engine computer on the Passport automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Passport’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Passport’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Passport’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Passport Elite’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Passport has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Passport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Passport is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 4Runner’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Passport’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Passport has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/TRD Pro. The Passport Elite also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The Passport has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Passport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Passport, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota 4Runner isn't recommended.

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