Honda vs Toyota?
Posted by kkmm523@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 35 comments
Hello!
I am looking for a new SUV.
I’m currently torn between the 2026Toyota 4Runner and the 2026 Honda Passport.
What do you guys think? Or are both awful??
The most important things to me are long term reliability, safety.
I appreciate any opinions you might have! 🤍
Love2FlyBalloons@reddit
Wow that’s a LOT of money. Do you make enough to pay it off in 5 years? Maybe better to get a 4 year old car after depreciation hit.
kkmm523@reddit (OP)
I also tend to keep vehicles a good while. My last car I had for 15 years.
Love2FlyBalloons@reddit
I’ve had Toyotas go 20 years +
kkmm523@reddit (OP)
I do.
No-Exchange8035@reddit
I'm pretty sure the passport is awd, and the 4runner is 4wd.
Any-Investment5692@reddit
Toyota is better. For some reason Honda has direct injection for their engine on the passport. Carbon buildup on the intake valves will cause issues. Honda quality has dropped off a cliff since 2011. Idk what happened to that company.. They lost their minds when they put a CVT in their cars. However they are still 2nd best in my mind. Toyota is still the best if you wish to drive that car 300K miles or more. Old Honda's can do 400K miles but only pre 2011 if they were properly maintained. Toyota and Honda are still the best on the planet. However if you only want to drive the passport for 100k miles. Then go for it. If you want to drive it 300K miles.. Maybe Toyota is better. If you live in a region that salts the roads. Buy either cause they will rust out before they wear out. 20-25 years from now.
SuzeFabulous@reddit
I’ve always preferred Hondas over Toyotas mostly because of looks. For reliability and safety, you are good with either one.
Alorow_Jordan@reddit
I was at a Honda dealership recently. Repair techs swore up and down the small hrv. That thing is awesome.
Almost bought a new Civic hybrid but was warned about warning lights and errors are unknown on 2026 models.
Bulocoo@reddit
I had a 4runner and my buddy had a passport. Older models but 4runner hands downmfir me.
kelpat14@reddit
They’re both garbage. Why do you think you need a SUV? Most people waste money on a SUV just to use it as a more expensive and less safe minivan.
kkmm523@reddit (OP)
I’ve had a minivan in the past. I just didn’t care much for it.
I want to use it as my daily driver, hauling a small trailer, hauling my dogs, to take camping and to the hiking trails. If I want to drive through my farm land I want it to sit up off the ground a bit. The mini van was too low and didn’t do well not on actual roads. So I decided on an SUV. I do have a 4x4 pickup truck as well. Which I love but when I do want to pick up my nieces or nephews I don’t quite have the cab space.
bfrogsworstnightmare@reddit
I say 4runner just because I think it looks better and no other real reason.
parker_db15@reddit
I would buy passport over Toyota
PossibilityFlat6237@reddit
Very different vehicles. Grand Highlander is a better comparison from the Toyota side.
KaleidoscopeRound721@reddit
I disagree - the new for ‘26 Passport is a modern take on a 4Runner. With a V6 standard. The older Passports- yes.
Hersbird@reddit
But for some reason Honda has been having problems with the 3.5 of late. Toyota has also been having more issues with the redesign trucks and suvs compared to the very reliable previous versions.
I think you will be OK with either, but I also think you would be just as OK with a Kia or Hyundai.
As far as 4 runner vs Passport. They both are fine inroads, but the 4 runner is clearly still superior off road even base vs trailsport
PossibilityFlat6237@reddit
If by “modern take” you mean “doesn’t compete with”, then I agree. Honda doesn’t make any body on frame or 4x4 vehicles.
KaleidoscopeRound721@reddit
In 2026 why would you need a body on frame SUV unless you’re rock climbing? Passport has superior torque vectoring AWD, more interior room, V6 instead of Turbo 4, better ride and handling. IMO no comparison.
PossibilityFlat6237@reddit
I’m not sure what your point is, I already said OP should be cross shopping the Grand Highlander instead of the 4Runner if they’re even considering a Passport.
KaleidoscopeRound721@reddit
Ok, gotcha.
kkmm523@reddit (OP)
I don’t care for the grand Highlander unfortunately.
Interesting_Rub9393@reddit
They're very different. The 4Runner is much more truck-like than the Passport, it is body on frame and has a low range.
I really like both, but if you're asking this question the Passport is probably a better option for you. Drive both.
Fire1777@reddit
4Runner for the win
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
I'd rather have a VCM V6 (which I can disable) than a turbo-4 in something as heavy as a 4runner.
ArctcMnkyBshLickr@reddit
4Runner will have less room, lower mpg, and have a worse ride than the passport due to the body on frame construction.
4Runner will tow more, be more reliable, and will get you to more campsites, hiking trails, and scenic views off road than the passport however.
If you’re not doing any actual off-roading I don’t see why you would go 4Runner over passport unless you simply think it looks cooler which is also a valid reason to buy a car
I asked the same question for the last year in my car research. I went with the 4Runner because it genuinely offroads well and I trek mud, rocks, and sand every month. The passport to me looks cooler, drives smoother, and seems to be as reliable, but my use case required more ruggedness and durability.
This year I got a 2017 4Runner sr5 with 30k miles and I don’t regret it at all. No upgrades other than AT tires and I’ve already gone up some of the more hard offroad trails in california and Utah.
If I had kids I’d probably go with the passport tho. Highlanders are ugly to me.
kkmm523@reddit (OP)
I appreciate this feedback.
I don’t think I will be doing much true off roading. I do like to camp, hike, hunt but I don’t typically go off road with my vehicles when I do.
Astramael@reddit
Long term reliability is probably Toyota. It is newer, but we know that the J series has problems. The T24 doesn’t have known problems yet.
Creativity_mountain@reddit
I was not aware of the issues with the J series but that sounds worth taking under consideration.
x_ceej@reddit
Do your research on the issues these models are having before you choose.
Monster51915@reddit
The Honda is much better, unless you intend to do extreme off-roading the Honda is better in every way. The price alone for what you are getting is much better in the Honda.
Creativity_mountain@reddit
The new look for the passport looks cool, I can see why you would cross-shop.with a 4runner even if it is unibody. Do you value potential off-road capability? Like not just driving on a snowy gravel road, but actual 4x4 trails? That would be the 4runner. The passport could handle a lot, especially with the right tires. The Honda passport has an older drivetrain with less question about its reliability, from what I've have heard Honda's automatic transmissions paired with V6's seem to have been improved.
kkmm523@reddit (OP)
I don’t really plan on true off roading. I do live out in the country and have some very steep hills to get up to my farm As long as I have AWD or 4wd we are usually just fine.
sleder@reddit
Buy the one you like better
Sp00nD00d@reddit
Your use case matters here. Their similarities are skin deep.
readanon44@reddit
Both would be good choices. Drive them both and see what you like better that fits your budget. The 4Runner is a unique vehicle that Honda doesn’t really have a competitor to, as the other commenter sorta mentioned. I love 4Runners but am currently on my 3rd Honda.