2022 Toyota Venza 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 with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured a more rugged design. Honda's updated styling aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. The TrailSport trim added unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates, enhancing its SUV appearance. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious interior with quality materials, and the TrailSport trim added distinctive touches like orange stitching and amber lighting.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced after a hiatus, was built on the TGNA-K platform, shared with several other Toyota and Lexus models. It featured a sleek, modern design with a scalloped body side and LED lighting on the tailgate, giving it a Lexus-like appearance. The Venza's design was more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures. Inside, the Venza offered an elegant and high-quality interior, with a layered dashboard and well-placed touchscreen displays. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats provided ample space for three adults. The Venza's cabin was designed to be a quiet and serene space, with sound-blocking materials used throughout.

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 drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter being standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims. The Passport's V6 engine was smooth and provided satisfying acceleration, while the i-VTM4 AWD system enhanced its handling on twisty roads. However, the Passport's brakes could become less confidence-inspiring on mountain descents. The SUV was capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, but its fuel economy was modest, with an average of 21.3 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. The Venza's hybrid system offered a balance of electric and gasoline power, with options for electric-only driving for short distances. It provided a smooth and efficient driving experience, with regenerative braking to recharge the battery. The Venza's handling was agile, thanks to its shared wheelbase with the Camry, but it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. The hybrid setup allowed for impressive fuel efficiency, with a range of over 500 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated seats. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position, with large windows providing an open feel. The Passport boasted generous cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior featured numerous storage options, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Venza accommodated five passengers in two rows, with comfortable seating and good headroom and legroom. The second row offered 45.2 inches of hip room, suitable for three adults. The cabin felt spacious, especially with the available Star Gaze panoramic glass roof. The Venza's interior included convenience features like an overhead console, power-adjustable front seats, and an electric parking brake. The cabin was equipped with cupholders and bottle holders for all passengers. The Venza's cargo space was slightly smaller, with 28.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cabin was designed to be quiet, with sound-blocking materials used throughout.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The Passport's navigation system was clunky, leading users to prefer Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the overall technology was not cutting-edge.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid system required no special attention, offering a seamless driving experience without the need for charging infrastructure. The Venza featured an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models, with a 12.3-inch screen on the Limited trim. The infotainment system supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, with multiple USB ports and a JBL audio system on the Limited trim. Toyota Connected Services were included, with options for a head-up display and digital rearview mirror. The Venza's technology was advanced and user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal collision, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2022 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Star Safety System, with features like stability control, traction control, and a rearview camera. It had eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The Venza also had blind-spot monitoring and parking assist on higher trims. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.