2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. Its styling closely resembled the Ridgeline, especially from the doors forward, with a new nose that aimed to give it a tougher look. The Passport was available in three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite, each featuring new wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, introduced in 2022, targeted off-road enthusiasts with its rugged appearance, although its capabilities were more aesthetic than functional. The interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange stitching and ambient lighting in the TrailSport.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma, featuring a rugged trapezoidal grille. However, its design felt disjointed compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride. Inside, the Highlander had an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element and a high-mounted infotainment screen. The Bronze Edition introduced a unique fabric pattern that was less practical for families. While the Softex synthetic leather was standard, genuine leather was reserved for higher trims. The third row was less accommodating, with limited headroom and legroom, making it suitable for short trips only.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, with the latter featuring Honda's i-VTM4 system for improved traction. The Passport delivered a smooth ride and athletic handling, though its brakes could vibrate under stress. It averaged 21.3 mpg with AWD, slightly below its EPA rating.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT. It offered standard front-wheel drive, with an optional AWD system powered by an electric motor. The Highlander Hybrid accelerated to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds. Its ride was comfortable, with a soft suspension that handled bumps well. The hybrid powertrain provided a quiet cabin, except when the engine was pushed hard, resulting in a droning noise.

The Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Its interior featured comfortable leather seats, standard heated front seats, and a spacious rear area. The Passport provided ample storage, including a large center console and generous cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with them folded.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of storage options, including trays and a large center armrest bin. The second row was spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite offered a premium sound system and WiFi hotspot. The system was functional but not advanced, with some users preferring smartphone integration over the built-in navigation.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and climate controls. Higher trims offered navigation and a JBL audio system.

The Honda Passport came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features were less refined, with lane-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control needing improvement. It received five-star NHTSA ratings, except for a four-star frontal impact rating.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star NHTSA rating and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. While effective, some systems needed fine-tuning, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.