2026 Toyota 4Runner vs 2027 Honda Passport: Which Off-Road SUV Fits NYC Drivers?
Published October 6, 2026 · Last updated October 6, 2026
The Toyota 4Runner vs Honda Passport matchup pits two rugged midsize SUVs with very different personalities against each other. The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a body-on-frame off-roader with a turbocharged engine or a 326-hp i-FORCE MAX hybrid, 6,000 pounds of towing and an optional third row. The 2027 Honda Passport is a unibody SUV with a 285-hp V6, all-wheel drive on every trim, more cargo space and a TrailSport that now sits 9.65 inches off the ground. The short answer: 4Runner for hard-core trails and towing, Passport for everyday comfort with weekend capability.
4Runner or Passport: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2026 Toyota 4Runner if you want body-on-frame toughness, a hybrid option with 465 lb-ft of torque, 6,000 pounds of towing, an optional third row and the TRD Pro or Trailhunter for serious trails.
- Choose the 2027 Honda Passport if you want a smoother ride for city streets, standard all-wheel drive, 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space and a TrailSport with 9.65 inches of ground clearance.
- Bottom line for NYC: daily commuters who head upstate on weekends lean Passport; drivers who tow, overland or want the most capable trail rig lean 4Runner.
Model-year timing: The 2026 Toyota 4Runner carries over from its all-new 2025 redesign. The 2027 Honda Passport updates the TrailSport with a reengineered suspension, 9.65 inches of ground clearance, new amber hood lights and a standard TrailWatch camera system. Read more about the 2027 Honda Passport for NYC drivers.
Toyota 4Runner vs Honda Passport Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 2027 Honda Passport | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $41,570 (SR5 RWD). Destination $1,495 | $45,195 (RTL AWD). Destination $1,595 | 4Runner |
| Construction | Body-on-frame | Unibody | 4Runner (trail) / Passport (ride) |
| Engines | 2.4L turbo, 278 hp, 317 lb-ft; i-FORCE MAX hybrid, 326 hp, 465 lb-ft | 3.5L V6, 285 hp; 10-speed automatic | 4Runner |
| Drivetrain | RWD on SR5, TRD Sport and Limited (4WD +$2,000); 4WD standard on other trims | i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, standard | Passport (standard AWD) |
| EPA mpg (combined) | 21–22 gas; 23 i-FORCE MAX | About 21 RTL; 20 TrailSport | 4Runner |
| Max towing | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 4Runner |
| Seating | 5; optional third row (7) on SR5 and Limited | 5 | 4Runner |
| Cargo (seats up) | About 48.4 cu ft (two-row gas models) | 41.2 cu ft; 83.0 cu ft folded | 4Runner |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (SR5) to 10.1 in (TRD Pro, Trailhunter) | 9.65 in (TrailSport) | Passport (for the price) |
| Touchscreen | 8-inch on SR5; 14-inch on all other trims | 12.3-inch; 10.2-inch digital cluster; Google built-in | 4Runner (upper trims) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain; 10 yr/150,000 mi hybrid battery | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 4Runner (hybrid) |
Price and Value
The 4Runner starts lower, but the comparison depends on drivetrain. The 2026 4Runner SR5 begins at $41,570 with rear-wheel drive, or $43,570 with four-wheel drive, while every 2027 Passport comes with all-wheel drive from $45,195. The off-road trims line up closely: the Passport TrailSport costs $49,995 and the 4Runner TRD Off-Road $49,990.
2026 Toyota 4Runner trims
SR5 $41,570, TRD Sport $48,050, TRD Off-Road $49,990, TRD Sport Premium $53,410, TRD Off-Road Premium $55,770, Limited $56,200, Platinum $63,660, Trailhunter $67,700 and TRD Pro $67,900, plus a $1,495 destination charge. Four-wheel drive adds $2,000 on the SR5, TRD Sport and Limited, and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid adds $2,800 where optional. Browse the Plaza Toyota new 4Runner inventory.
2027 Honda Passport trims
RTL $45,195, RTL Towing $45,895, TrailSport $49,995, TrailSport Blackout $51,495, TrailSport Elite $53,695 and TrailSport Elite Blackout $55,195, plus a $1,595 destination charge. All-wheel drive is standard. Browse the Plaza Honda new Passport inventory.
Lease specials are updated every month, so check the current Toyota lease specials (updated monthly) and Toyota manufacturer incentives and rebates, plus the current Honda lease specials (updated monthly) and Honda manufacturer incentives and rebates. Trading in? Get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your current car before you visit.
Performance, Towing and Off-Road Ability
The 4Runner has the stronger numbers. Its turbocharged 2.4-liter i-FORCE engine makes 278 hp and 317 lb-ft, and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid makes 326 hp and 465 lb-ft while earning 23 mpg combined. Every 4Runner tows up to 6,000 pounds. The Passport uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with 285 hp and a 10-speed automatic, rated about 21 mpg combined, and tows up to 5,000 pounds.
Off road, the two take different paths. The 4Runner's body-on-frame design and true four-wheel-drive system suit rock crawling and overlanding, especially in TRD Pro and Trailhunter form. The 2027 Passport TrailSport answers with a reengineered suspension, 9.65 inches of ground clearance and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, which Honda says gives it more clearance than a 4Runner TRD Off-Road. To beat it, you need a 4Runner TRD Pro or Trailhunter, at 10.1 inches and about $67,700. On city streets and the Belt Parkway, the Passport's unibody platform rides more smoothly.
Space and Seating
Both seat five as standard. The 4Runner adds an optional third row on the SR5 and Limited, raising capacity to seven, and two-row gas models offer about 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Passport is a two-row SUV with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 83.0 cubic feet with them folded. Need three full rows? See our Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander comparison.
Interior and Technology
The 4Runner SR5 starts with an 8-inch touchscreen, and every other trim gets a 14-inch touchscreen, one of the largest in the class. Every Passport gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in, and for 2027 every TrailSport adds a heated steering wheel and the TrailWatch camera system with a 360-degree view, which helps in tight Brooklyn parking garages as much as on the trail.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
Both carry 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties, and Toyota covers the i-FORCE MAX hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles. Both models have strong reputations for durability and resale value; the 4Runner in particular is known for holding its value for many years.
Which One Should You Buy?
Towing and overlanding
6,000 pounds of towing and body-on-frame toughness for campers and long trail trips.
Occasional third row
An optional third row on the SR5 and Limited seats up to seven.
Daily commuting
A smoother unibody ride and standard all-wheel drive for city streets and snowy days.
Weekend trails on a budget
The TrailSport offers 9.65 inches of clearance for about the price of a 4Runner TRD Off-Road.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | 4Runner | $41,570 (RWD) vs $45,195 (AWD) |
| Power and towing | 4Runner | Up to 326 hp; 6,000 vs 5,000 lb |
| Standard AWD | Passport | AWD on every trim |
| Ground clearance | Passport (for the price) | 9.65 in on the $49,995 TrailSport; 4Runner needs a $67,700+ TRD Pro or Trailhunter for 10.1 in |
| Seating options | 4Runner | Optional third row |
| Overall for NYC drivers | Split | Passport for daily comfort; 4Runner for towing and hard-core trails |
Still deciding? If you need three rows, read Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander. For a smaller Honda vs Toyota SUV, see Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4, or compare the pickups built on similar foundations in Honda Ridgeline vs Toyota Tacoma.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Auto Mall delivers your new or pre-owned vehicle to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Farther away? Delivery is available on request.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryToyota 4Runner vs Honda Passport: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Toyota 4Runner or Honda Passport better for New York City drivers?
It depends on how you drive. The 2027 Honda Passport rides on a unibody platform, so it feels smoother and quieter on city streets, and it comes with all-wheel drive and more cargo space as standard. The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV built for serious off-roading, with a hybrid option and 6,000 pounds of towing.
Which is cheaper, the 4Runner or the Passport?
The Toyota 4Runner, to start. The 2026 4Runner SR5 begins at $41,570 MSRP with rear-wheel drive, while the 2027 Honda Passport RTL starts at $45,195 with all-wheel drive standard. A four-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5 costs $43,570. Destination is $1,495 for the Toyota and $1,595 for the Honda.
Which tows more, the 4Runner or the Passport?
The Toyota 4Runner. Every 2026 4Runner is rated to tow up to 6,000 pounds, whether it has the turbocharged i-FORCE engine or the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. The 2027 Honda Passport is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which still covers most small campers and boats.
Does the 4Runner or Passport come as a hybrid?
Only the 4Runner. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid pairs a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor for 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, rated 23 mpg combined. It is optional on the TRD Off-Road and Limited and standard on the Platinum, Trailhunter and TRD Pro. Every Passport uses a 285-hp V6.
Which has more ground clearance, the 4Runner or the Passport?
For 2027, the Honda Passport TrailSport gains a reengineered suspension that raises ground clearance to 9.65 inches, more than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road. The 4Runner TRD Pro and Trailhunter reach 10.1 inches, but they start at about $67,700, roughly $17,700 more than a Passport TrailSport.
Does the 4Runner have a third row?
It can. An optional third-row seat is available on the 2026 4Runner SR5 and Limited, raising capacity to seven passengers. Other 4Runner trims seat five. The 2027 Honda Passport is a two-row SUV that seats five, with 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 83.0 cubic feet with them folded.
Test-Drive the 4Runner and Passport at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Toyota (2721 Nostrand Ave) and Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave) are a short walk apart on Nostrand Avenue, so you can drive the 2026 Toyota 4Runner and 2027 Honda Passport back to back in one visit. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves drivers from Queens, Staten Island and Long Island, with free delivery within 25 miles. See the full Plaza Toyota inventory and Plaza Honda inventory, or call Plaza Toyota at (855) 529-1806 or Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785.
*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information available as of October 6, 2026 and are subject to change. Towing varies by configuration. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
