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Passport vs 4Runner (2026): Full Comparison

The Honda Passport and Toyota 4Runner both sit in the mid-size SUV segment, but they represent fundamentally different engineering approaches. The Passport is a unibody crossover — car-based construction designed for on-road comfort with enough all-wheel-drive capability for dirt roads and light trails. The 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV, built on a truck platform with genuine off-road hardware capable of handling serious backcountry terrain. This is not a matter of one being better than the other; it is a matter of which type of vehicle matches your actual driving life.

At a Glance

Specification	2026 Honda Passport	2026 Toyota 4Runner
Starting MSRP	~$40,000	~$42,000
Engine	3.5L V6	2.4L Turbo 4-cyl / 2.4L Turbo Hybrid
Horsepower	~285 hp	~278 hp / ~326 hp (hybrid)
Combined MPG	~22 mpg	~21 mpg / ~25 mpg (hybrid)
Cargo Space	~41.2 cu ft (behind 2nd row)	~40.4 cu ft (behind 2nd row)
Warranty	3-year/36,000 mi basic; 5-year/60,000 mi powertrain	3-year/36,000 mi basic; 5-year/60,000 mi powertrain

Toyota’s complete 4Runner redesign brought the model into the modern era with a turbocharged engine, an available hybrid, and updated technology — closing the refinement gap with crossover competitors. For more mid-size SUV options, see our Best Cars by Category 2026 guide.

Performance

The Passport uses Honda’s proven 3.5-liter V6, producing approximately 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on all trims. On pavement, the Passport is the more refined vehicle — it rides comfortably on highways, handles parking lots and city streets with car-like maneuverability, and delivers predictable, confidence-inspiring handling through curves. This is a vehicle designed for tarmac with occasional dirt road detours, and it excels in that role.

The 4Runner’s new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces approximately 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid version boosts output to approximately 326 hp and 465 lb-ft — torque numbers that surpass many V6 and V8 competitors. The body-on-frame construction means the 4Runner rides higher, rolls more in corners, and feels less nimble in suburban driving. But this is by design. The frame-based platform gives the 4Runner a projected towing capacity of approximately 6,000 pounds (gas) — substantially more than the Passport’s approximately 5,000 pounds.

Off-road, the 4Runner TRD Pro is in a different league. It features a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, crawl control, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, and Fox internal bypass shocks. The Passport’s TrailSport trim offers improved ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and skid plates, but it is not designed for the rock crawling and technical trail work the 4Runner handles routinely.

Interior and Tech

The Passport’s interior benefits from Honda’s expertise in packaging. The cabin is spacious, logically laid out, and easy to live with. The dashboard features a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and physical buttons and knobs for climate and volume control — a practical choice that many drivers prefer. Materials are solid: soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and doors, sturdy plastics in high-wear areas, and comfortable seats with good bolstering. Rear-seat space is generous, with a nearly flat cargo floor when the seats fold.

The 4Runner’s redesigned interior is a massive improvement over the previous generation. Toyota installed a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and wireless connectivity. The cabin is more modern than any prior 4Runner, with available leather, a JBL premium audio system, and a multi-zone climate system. The driving position is higher and more truck-like than the Passport’s, which provides excellent forward visibility but requires a bigger step to enter and exit.

The Passport provides approximately 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, slightly more than the 4Runner’s approximately 40.4 cubic feet. Both are practical for hauling gear, luggage, or weekly groceries. The 4Runner adds a power-sliding rear window on select trims — a feature borrowed from Toyota’s truck lineup that adds ventilation and character.

Safety

Both SUVs include standard active safety suites across all trims.

Honda Sensing provides collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. The system is well-refined and operates unobtrusively during daily driving.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 on the 4Runner includes pre-collision braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition. Toyota adds an intersection pre-collision system that detects oncoming traffic and pedestrians when turning.

Both SUVs earn projected five-star overall NHTSA ratings. The Passport’s unibody structure has historically performed better in offset frontal crash tests due to its car-based crumple zones, but the 4Runner’s redesigned frame has improved structural performance significantly.

Value and Cost of Ownership

The Passport starts at approximately $40,000, about $2,000 less than the 4Runner’s ~$42,000 base price. The 4Runner hybrid commands a premium of roughly $3,000-$4,000 over the gas model but recovers that cost in fuel savings — projected at approximately 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the gas version. Over five years, the hybrid saves an estimated $3,000-$4,000 in fuel at average driving rates.

The 4Runner is legendary for holding its value. It consistently ranks among the top vehicles for resale value retention, with five-year-old models selling for 65-75% of their original MSRP. The Passport holds its value reasonably well but does not match the 4Runner’s cult-like demand in the used market.

Both Honda and Toyota are reliability leaders, and maintenance costs for both SUVs are moderate. Insurance premiums are projected at approximately $1,700-$2,300 per year. For coverage comparisons, see our Car Insurance Guide.

Verdict

Buy the Passport if your driving is primarily on pavement — commuting, road trips, family hauling — with occasional unpaved road excursions. The Passport is the more comfortable, more fuel-efficient, more maneuverable daily driver, and it costs less. For most suburban and urban buyers, it is the smarter purchase.

Buy the 4Runner if you need genuine off-road capability, higher towing capacity, or the body-on-frame durability that lets you keep the vehicle for 200,000-plus miles of hard use. The 4Runner is built for people who actually leave pavement regularly, and its resale value ensures you recover a large portion of your investment when you sell.

The Passport is the better car. The 4Runner is the better truck. Choose based on which description matches how you actually use your vehicle.

Key Takeaways

The Passport is a car-based crossover optimized for pavement comfort; the 4Runner is a truck-based SUV built for off-road durability.
The 4Runner offers ~6,000-lb towing (gas) and a hybrid with ~326 hp; the Passport tows ~5,000 lb with a 3.5L V6.
The Passport rides more comfortably and handles more nimbly in everyday driving scenarios.
The 4Runner’s resale value is among the highest of any SUV, consistently outperforming the Passport in the used market.
Both include comprehensive standard safety suites and earn projected five-star overall NHTSA ratings.

Next Steps

See how both rank in Best Family SUVs.
Compare hybrid efficiency options in Best Hybrid Cars 2026.
Use the Car Loan Calculator to estimate monthly payments.
Calculate long-term fuel costs with the Fuel Cost Calculator.
Get ready for the dealer with our How to Negotiate a Car Deal guide.

Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer data available at publication. Verify current details with your dealer.