2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport bore a striking resemblance to the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform that Honda also used for the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot three-row SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seat, with distinct styling. Honda's design updates gave the Passport a more assertive and rugged appearance, particularly in the TrailSport trim, which was aimed at appealing to off-road enthusiasts. Despite its off-road-inspired looks, the TrailSport was more about aesthetics than actual capability, although it did offer some off-pavement prowess with its 20.5 centimetres of ground clearance and traction management modes.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia was impossible to ignore with its bold styling that combined the look of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a newly designed SUV body. The Sequoia's design had a more substantial presence than its predecessor, with a traditional grille and front bumper that differentiated it from the Tundra's unique appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared many elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale materials in the Capstone trim. The Capstone's interior was luxurious, with a massive 14-inch infotainment system and a two-tone colour scheme, although some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each offering different levels of luxury and off-road capability.

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 felt more powerful than its ratings suggested, delivering satisfying acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its handling on twisty roads. However, the Passport's brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern given its 2,268-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 4,137 kilograms. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the regenerative braking system could feel unresponsive, and the steering was slow, requiring more effort in tight spaces.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Inside, it featured spacious and comfortable seating with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample storage options and generous cargo space, measuring 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the back seat folded down. The Passport's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised overall utility, reducing maximum cargo capacity compared to its predecessor.

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 premium audio system. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base trim.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. However, the system had some quirks, such as issues with Bluetooth pairing and glare on the display. The Capstone trim included a head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, although it had some areas for improvement.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia's safety tech was effective, with only minor annoyances like the lane-departure warning beep. While crash test results were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra received high ratings from the IIHS.