01On-Road Comfort: The Daily Drive
This is where the differences are most stark.
- Toyota 4Runner: The 4Runner is built like a truck (body-on-frame). While this makes it durable, it also means it drives like a truck. You feel the bumps on LaGrange Road more intensely, the steering can feel heavy, and it leans noticeably in corners.
- Honda Passport: The Passport uses unibody construction (similar to the Pilot). This gives it the refined road manners of a car. It absorbs potholes smoothly, stays planted in corners, and is significantly quieter on the highway at 70 mph.
- Winner for Orland Park: Honda Passport. Unless you are climbing literal rocks, the Passport's superior ride quality makes it infinitely more livable for the 95% of the time you spend on pavement.
02Power and Performance: V6 vs. Turbo 4
For 2026, Toyota has replaced the 4Runner's old V6 with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Honda, however, has stuck to its guns.
- Honda Passport: It retains the proven 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower. It is paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The result is smooth, linear power that feels confident enough to pass on I-80 without the "lag" sometimes found in turbo engines.
- Toyota 4Runner: The new 4-cylinder engine is powerful (278 hp), but many long-time SUV owners prefer the natural feel and proven longevity of a naturally aspirated V6.
03Interior Space and Versatility
Because the 4Runner sits on a high truck frame, the interior floor is high, which can eat into headroom and make the cabin feel tighter than it looks from the outside.
The 2026 Honda Passport, by contrast, is a masterclass in space efficiency.
- Passenger Room: The Passport is wider, giving rear-seat passengers significantly more shoulder and hip room. Three adults can actually sit comfortably in the back, which is a squeeze in the 4Runner.
- Cargo Space: The Passport offers a massive 83.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with a flat load floor. It easily swallows camping gear, hockey bags, and Home Depot runs.
04Off-Road Capability: TrailSport vs. TRD
Can the Passport actually handle the trails? Yes. The 2026 Passport TrailSport is the most capable SUV Honda has ever built.
- The Gear: It comes standard with General Grabber™ A/T all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and an off-road tuned suspension.
- The Tech: The i-VTM4® All-Wheel Drive system is sophisticated enough to send up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels, and then 100% of that torque to a single wheel if the others lose traction.
- Verdict: The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is undeniably better for extreme technical rock crawling. But for the muddy trails, snowy driveways, and gravel paths that 99% of "adventure drivers" actually encounter, the Passport TrailSport is more than capable—and it doesn't punish you with a harsh ride on the way home.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
No. The 3.5L V6 is designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline, which helps keep your running costs down compared to some turbocharged competitors that recommend premium for maximum performance.
The Passport typically offers better value. For 2026, every Passport comes standard with AWD, leather-trimmed seats, and a power tailgate. To get similar features on a 4Runner, you often have to pay extra for 4WD and climb up to expensive trim levels like the Limited.
Yes. The 2026 Passport can tow up to 5,000 lbs, which is perfect for a small boat, a pair of jet skis, or a pop-up camper. While the 4Runner is rated slightly higher (6,000 lbs), the Passport covers the needs of most recreational towers.
The Best of Both Worlds
The Toyota 4Runner is a legendary specialized tool. But the 2026 Honda Passport is the ultimate multi-tool. It offers enough rugged capability to get you to the campsite, but it wraps it in a package that is comfortable, spacious, and sophisticated enough for your daily life.
You don't have to compromise comfort for adventure. Visit Community Honda of Orland Park to test drive the new Passport TrailSport.
Schedule Your Test Drive Online TodaySee why the Passport is the SUV that truly does it all.
