2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Honda Passport

In 2022, the Honda Passport showcased a renewed styling that closely mirrored the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, particularly forward of the doors and windshield. This similarity was no coincidence, as both models shared a vehicle platform with other Honda vehicles like the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot three-row SUV. Essentially, the Passport was a shorter, two-row version of the Pilot without the third-row seat and with some unique design tweaks. Honda imbued the Passport's new nose with a more rugged, assertive look, though opinions on its success varied among consumers.

The 2022 Passport came in three trim levels: the base EX-L, the adventurous TrailSport, and the upscale Elite. Each of these trims featured new wheel designs, and the TrailSport trim was a new addition, reflecting Honda's intention to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. Though more cosmetic in its off-road aspirations, the TrailSport, with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel-drive system, provided some genuine off-road capability.

From pricing of $37,870 to $45,430 (excluding a $1,225 destination charge), the Passport offered value across its trims. The TrailSport model we tested came with a Sonic Gray Pearl paint, bringing its MSRP to $44,095. This trim sported unique 18-inch wheels with all-season tires that mimicked all-terrain ones, a sturdy roof rack, and front and rear skid plate simulations. The interior, particularly spacious for a two-row midsize SUV, featured quality materials and thoughtful assembly. The TrailSport added special touches like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to distance itself from the conventional minivan aesthetics that often deterred family shoppers. Drawing inspiration from Japanese bullet trains, the Sienna’s front-end styling aimed to break the mold of the classic minivan image, an effort seen across its various trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, upper-class Limited, and top-shelf Platinum, along with the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim.

The Sienna XLE, expected to be popular among value-conscious shoppers, added practical features like standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Our test car, a Platinum trim, featured luxurious brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents, enhancing its premium appeal. The Sienna excelled with its seating flexibility, allowing configurations for seven or eight passengers, with options for three-across car seats in the middle row in the LE and XLE trims.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in either front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions, the V6 was notably smooth and robust. The Passport's EPA fuel economy ratings were 22 mpg in combined driving for FWD models and 21 mpg for AWD models, with our AWD TrailSport test vehicle averaging 21.3 mpg in varied driving conditions.

Only the EX-L trim offered FWD, while the TrailSport and Elite trims came with Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system as standard. This system could deliver up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed, proving effective on twisty roads but less so off-road. Despite some wheel articulation limitations, the Passport managed moderate off-road trails competently.

The Passport’s strong points included satisfying acceleration, firm and communicative ride quality, and surprisingly agile handling for an SUV. It excelled on highways and winding roads alike, though the brakes showed some weakness on steep descents, with noticeable pedal vibration under load.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna went all hybrid, ditching traditional gasoline engines in favor of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front electric motors, and a third rear motor for AWD models. This setup delivered a combined 245 horsepower, which fell short of its rivals in terms of power, with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) producing less engaging acceleration and noise.

While acceleration was not a strong suit, the Sienna shined in chassis and steering dynamics. The minivan's platform offered nimble handling and a manageable driving experience, making it enjoyable even in urban settings. Various drive modes were available, though the practicality of EV mode was limited, and Eco mode often felt sluggish. Overall, Normal mode provided the best balance for typical minivan use.

The 2022 Honda Passport impressed with its user-friendly design, featuring large doors and a low step-in height for easy entry and exit. The front seats were large and comfortable, with adjustable armrests and supportive cushions. Leather upholstery and heated seats were standard across trims, with ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats available in the Elite trim. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, headroom, and a slightly elevated seating position, contributing to a spacious and airy feel.

Storage solutions in the Passport were abundant, from the large center console bin to the numerous door panel shelves and rear cupholders. Cargo space was equally impressive, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota Sienna capitalized on the minivan’s inherent design strengths, featuring ample cubbies, shelves, and bins. The center console offered a large open cubby perfect for a bag, and a long shelf across the dash provided additional storage, including a space equipped with a wireless charging pad in higher trims. With plenty of cupholders and a spacious center console bin, the Sienna catered well to family needs.

The Sienna's minivan platform maximized interior space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. Total cargo space reached 101 cubic feet, though this fell short of some competitors due to the non-removable second row. However, the middle-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, featuring extending ottomans and long slide tracks for optimal legroom, allowing even the third row to comfortably seat adults.

The 2022 Honda Passport’s infotainment system, although meeting basic modern standards, was due for an update. Every trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport added a navigation system, and the Elite trim included a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services with a WiFi hotspot. However, the system's user experience was mixed, with clunky navigation and a lack of a tuning knob, making smartphone integration a preferred choice.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but requiring a wired connection for smartphone integration. The system had physical buttons, which aided usability, but the interface felt outdated and occasionally cumbersome. The 9-inch touchscreen sufficed in size, and the optional 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams, along with rear-seat and seatbelt reminders.

While effective, the driver-assist functions sometimes felt intrusive, particularly the lane-departure warning’s steering wheel wobble and the lane-centering assist’s frequent, unwelcome adjustments. Adaptive cruise control also tended to overreact in slower traffic. Nevertheless, the Passport earned strong safety ratings, scoring five stars in most NHTSA tests and top ratings from IIHS, albeit with an Acceptable score for front-passenger protection in small overlap collisions.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in safety, featuring standard advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were particularly valuable for a family vehicle.

The Sienna earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA, and the 2022 model, identical mechanically to the 2023, received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. Toyota’s focus on essential safety features over gimmicks like Honda’s CabinTalk and Chrysler’s FamCam showed a clear priority on practical family safety.