2021 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Toyota Venza, when introduced, was often compared to a Lexus due to its sleek design. Its exterior, from the grille to the elongated profile, closely resembled the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, showcased at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. The Venza was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colours. Standard features included LED headlights, a wireless charging pad, and an 8-inch infotainment screen, with more advanced features like a 12.3-inch screen and a digital rearview mirror available in higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, giving it a familiar look. The Passport's new styling aimed for a tougher appearance, especially in the TrailSport trim, which was designed for off-road enthusiasts. The TrailSport offered 20.5 cm of ground clearance and traction management modes for various terrains. The Passport was available in three trims: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring, with prices ranging from $45,570 to $52,170. The TrailSport trim featured unique 18-inch wheels and a rugged roof rack, enhancing its SUV appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. Its electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) provided smooth acceleration, though engine noise was noticeable during acceleration. The Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving 5.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 L/100 km on the highway, outperforming competitors like the Murano and Passport. Toyota offered a 10-year/240,000-kilometre hybrid battery warranty.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its performance on twisty roads. The Passport averaged 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving. While it offered satisfying acceleration and handling, the brakes could become less effective on mountain descents, which was a concern given its 2,268-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered a unique interior design with premium appointments, including a deep centre console and a padded upholstery. The cabin provided ample space for passengers, with comfortable seating for both front and rear occupants. The Venza had 816 litres of cargo space, which was less than the Passport but sufficient for daily use. The quick-flip releases on the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks made arranging cargo space easy.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large, comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with plenty of room for passengers and ample storage options. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and up to 2,854 litres with the back seat folded down, making it ideal for road trips and daily use.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with an 8-inch infotainment system in the LE trim, while the XLE and Limited trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system, though not the best in the industry, included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Venza XLE and Limited had a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Toyota connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, with dynamic navigation available on models with the larger screen.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Passport's system was functional but could benefit from an upgrade. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base Sport trim, and HondaLink connected services provided access to a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade available for automatic braking. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. While effective, the system's lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist were less refined. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.