2022 Honda Passport vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to both vehicles sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured a more rugged design. Honda's updated styling aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, which was applied across all three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, although it was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability. The Passport boasted a spacious interior, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a mature crossover SUV, had evolved significantly since its introduction in 1996. By 2022, it had grown in size and sophistication, often topping SUV sales charts in Canada. The RAV4's exterior design was characterized by angular wheel arches and crisp lines, with expressive headlights and a distinctive grille giving it a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 featured a layered dashboard with contrasting textures and colours, anchored by a straightforward centre stack. The interior design included unique geometric patterns that tied various cabin elements together. The RAV4's design and build quality reflected Toyota's attention to detail, making it a popular choice among drivers.

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 and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and powerful, offering a satisfying driving experience. The Passport's fuel economy was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the TrailSport trim averaging 11.0 L/100 km. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. While the Passport excelled on paved roads, its off-road capabilities were limited. The SUV offered a firm, communicative ride and agile handling, although the brakes could become less reliable on mountain descents.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for FWD models was 7.9 L/100 km combined, while AWD models ranged from 7.9 to 8.5 L/100 km. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 217 horsepower and achieving 6.0 L/100 km combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivered 302 horsepower and could run up to 68 kilometres on electricity alone, with a combined efficiency rating of 2.5 Le/100 km. The RAV4's handling was car-like, with a four-wheel independent suspension and dynamic torque vectoring for improved cornering. AWD models featured Multi-Terrain Select for various road conditions.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim included heated rear seats, while the Touring trim added ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers. Storage options were plentiful, including a large centre console and door panel shelving. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded down. The Passport's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while classified as a small SUV, offered substantial cargo space. It could hold up to 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the seats folded flat. The RAV4's payload capacity ranged from 499 to 511 kilograms, depending on the configuration. Towing capacity varied by model, with Trail and TRD Off-Road models capable of towing up to 1,588 kilograms. Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable for four passengers, with ample legroom and headroom. The front seats featured dual-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver's seat in the XLE grade. Storage options included cupholders, bottle holders, and a spacious glove compartment.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Satellite radio was available on the TrailSport trim, while the Touring trim added a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system featured shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim. The Passport's technology was functional but not cutting-edge, with some users preferring smartphone integration over the built-in navigation system.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a robust technology suite, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, and smartphone compatibility. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker JBL audio system, and navigation. The RAV4 Prime included five USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, and blue ambient lighting. Top trims offered a wireless charging pad, bird's-eye view camera, and head-up display. The RAV4's technology was comprehensive, with smartphone integration reducing the need for factory navigation systems.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. However, some driver aids were less refined, with lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist drawing criticism. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for four stars in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 included the Star Safety System, with stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. It also featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard in Canada. The RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid five-star ratings.