Honda Passport vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Honda Passport was a striking presence on the road, characterized by its extra-large proportions and blocky dimensions. Its design was a modern take on a rugged SUV, with a long 113.6-inch wheelbase and a nearly flat hood that ended abruptly at the lower bumper, enhancing its approach angle. The Passport's front was adorned with bracket-shaped amber running lights framing the upper grille and a standard thin hood scoop above the Honda emblem. Its wider and visually stronger stance made it resemble competitors like the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee, while still retaining a distinct Honda identity. The profile view, with a blacked-out D-pillar and large tinted rear-quarter window, drew inspiration from a backpack, though it also echoed designs from the Chevrolet Traverse and Land Rover Discovery. Fun features included nearly invisible rock sliders and a scratch-resistant roof panel for leaning equipment. The rear showcased a blocky tailgate with a two-tone design and a trailer hitch for protection. Inside, the Passport offered three trim levels with a focus on practicality and comfort, featuring synthetic leather and cloth upholstery in the TrailSport and genuine leather in the TrailSport Elite.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades, maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but added buffer bumpers for increased length. The RAV4 embraced a boxy, truck-like presence with squared-off features, consistent with Toyota's new SUV lineup. The Woodland trim accentuated the boxiness with a wide front fascia and solid panels replacing fog lights, while the GR Sport trim showcased racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. The RAV4's charge port location varied by trim, and the interior featured mild differentiation with accents like red stitching on the GR Sport. All trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system, with the GR Sport offering a sportier ride thanks to its lower stance and performance tires. Despite its 4,500-pound weight, the RAV4 PHEV delivered a spirited ride with seamless power transitions and a strengthened chassis for improved comfort.

The 2026 Honda Passport, particularly in TrailSport trims, was engineered for both on-road and off-road performance. It featured improved approach and departure angles, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels for better ride comfort and off-road traction. The Passport was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system was standard, along with seven drive modes, including new Sport, Trail, and Tow modes. The Passport's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and it excelled in off-road environments with its powerful V6 engine and outstanding steering. However, the all-terrain tires on the TrailSport generated noticeable noise on highways. Despite a cleaner engine, the Passport's fuel economy remained modest, with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined in RTL trim.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, and a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's power output increased to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The RAV4 PHEV offered an estimated range of 52 miles in EV mode, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control. The GR Sport trim, with its lower stance and performance tires, delivered a sportier ride with improved handling over rough terrain. Despite its 4,500-pound weight, the RAV4 PHEV maintained comfort and structural rigidity, though it was heavier than the standard RAV4.

The 2026 Honda Passport boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen with physical controls, emphasizing simplicity in its design. It excelled in cargo space, offering 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 83.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it the most capacious in its segment. The Passport also provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom and ample storage options, catering to family road trips. TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims featured a panoramic moonroof and ventilated front seats, with post-production options like the Adventure Package for added versatility.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid retained its dimensions from the previous generation but optimized interior space with clever storage features. The base SE trim offered conveniences like a power driver's seat and heated front seats, while higher trims added synthetic leather upholstery and ventilated seats. The RAV4's interior included multiple storage shelves and deep door pockets, though it fell short of larger models in rear legroom. The PHEV's cargo area was slightly reduced to 33.6 cubic feet, with 63.5 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. A temporary spare tire was included under the cargo floor.

The 2026 Honda Passport featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also standard, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB-C charging ports, and a 10.2-inch digital driver information display. The TrailSport Elite trim added a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and the TrailWatch camera system for enhanced visibility.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu, while the new Arene operating system improved responsiveness. The Voice Assistant responded to "Hey Toyota" prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras. The RAV4 PHEV also offered a range map and charging schedules for the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2026 Honda Passport was equipped with Honda Safety Sense, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The Passport had eight standard airbags, though previous crash test results were less than stellar, and updated ratings were awaited.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection. The suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a safe-exit alert. A surround-view camera system was available on higher trims. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with updated crash test results pending.