2026 Toyota 4Runner vs. Honda Passport in Houston, TX
Shopping for a rugged midsize SUV near Houston, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress, or Magnolia? The 2026 Toyota 4Runner and 2026 Honda Passport are both designed for drivers who want more than a basic daily SUV. Both offer bold styling, useful cargo room, strong safety features, and adventure-ready trims. However, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner stands out for shoppers who want more powertrain choices, an available hybrid option, available seating for up to seven, and a trim lineup built for many different driving needs.
At Fred Haas Toyota Country, our team is here to help Houston-area SUV shoppers compare the 2026 Toyota 4Runner vs. the Honda Passport in a clear and simple way. Whether you need a family SUV, a trail-ready vehicle, or a flexible model for weekend trips, the new Toyota 4Runner gives you a strong mix of capability, technology, safety, and everyday comfort.
The 2026 Honda Passport is a strong SUV with a standard 3.5L V6 engine, 5-passenger seating, and up to 104.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume behind the first row. Still, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner gives shoppers more variety. It is redesigned, offers gas and hybrid trims, provides available 2WD, part-time 4WD, or full-time 4WD, and offers up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque with the available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain.
What’s New for the 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner continues the redesigned 4Runner lineup with a bold mix of rugged design, useful technology, and expanded powertrain options. For drivers near Houston who want an SUV that feels ready for the road, the trail, and family life, the 2026 4Runner offers a wide range of trims and features.
Highlights include:
- Redesigned 2026 Toyota 4Runner lineup
- Starting price of $42,070
- Available i-FORCE engine with 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque
- Available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain with up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque
- Available 2WD, part-time 4WD, or full-time 4WD
- EPA-estimated 23 city / 24 highway / 23 combined MPG rating
- Available seating for up to seven
- Up to 90.2 cubic feet of cargo space
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
- Available 14-inch touchscreen
- Available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Available 3D Multi-Terrain and Panoramic View Monitors
- Available Tow Technology Package
Toyota 4Runner Model Advantage: The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers something the 2026 Honda Passport does not list in the provided model details: a hybrid option. For shoppers comparing power, torque, and long-term flexibility, the available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain is a major reason to choose the 4Runner.
2026 Toyota 4Runner Trim Levels
What trim levels are available for the new Toyota 4Runner? The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers 12 trims total, including six gas trims and six hybrid trims. This gives Houston-area drivers more room to choose the right SUV for daily driving, off-road use, family needs, or premium comfort.
2026 Toyota 4Runner gas trims include:
- SR5
- TRD Sport
- TRD Sport Premium
- TRD Off-Road
- TRD Off-Road Premium
- Limited
2026 Toyota 4Runner hybrid trims include:
- TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX
- TRD Off-Road Premium i-FORCE MAX
- Limited i-FORCE MAX
- Platinum
- Trailhunter
- TRD Pro
The SR5 starts at $42,070 and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, and available third-row seating. This makes it a smart choice for shoppers who want a capable 4Runner without moving into a higher trim.
The TRD Sport adds 20-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, a honeycomb grille, color-keyed overfenders, and a gloss-black hood scoop. The TRD Sport Premium adds comfort and tech upgrades such as SofTex-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, a power rear window, and a 14-inch touchscreen.
For more rugged SUV shoppers, the TRD Off-Road adds 18-inch alloy wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires, Bilstein monotube shocks with remote reservoirs, and Multi-Terrain Select with Crawl Control. The TRD Off-Road Premium adds more comfort with SofTex-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and a 14-inch touchscreen.
The Limited trim adds a more premium feel with 20-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, and available third-row seating.
For shoppers interested in the 2026 Toyota 4Runner hybrid lineup, the TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX brings the available hybrid powertrain into a rugged trim. The TRD Off-Road Premium i-FORCE MAX adds features such as Multi-Terrain Monitor with selectable views and a 14-inch touchscreen. The Limited i-FORCE MAX and Platinum trims add more premium design and comfort. The Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims are built for drivers who want serious adventure-focused hardware, including features such as 33-inch Toyo all-terrain tires on both trims.
Toyota 4Runner Model Advantage: The Honda Passport offers seven gas trims, while the Toyota 4Runner offers 12 total trims with both gas and hybrid choices. That gives 4Runner shoppers more ways to match their SUV to their lifestyle.
2026 Toyota 4Runner vs. Honda Passport Performance
Performance is one of the biggest differences between the 2026 Toyota 4Runner and the 2026 Honda Passport.
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers two powertrain choices. The i-FORCE engine delivers 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain delivers up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
The 2026 Honda Passport uses a 3.5L V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It also includes a 10-speed automatic transmission with Shift-By-Wire and paddle shifters. The Passport offers a 2nd-Gen Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD system with Trail Torque Logic.
The Passport offers solid power, but the 4Runner’s available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain gives it a clear advantage in both horsepower and torque. That can matter for shoppers who want stronger response, more confidence on demanding drives, and more power from a rugged SUV.
2026 Toyota 4Runner:
- i-FORCE engine
- 278 horsepower
- 317 lb-ft of torque
- Available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid engine
- Up to 326 horsepower
- 465 lb-ft of torque
- Available 2WD
- Available part-time 4WD
- Available full-time 4WD
2026 Honda Passport:
- 3.5L V6 engine
- 285 horsepower
- 262 lb-ft of torque
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- i-VTM4 AWD system
- Trail Torque Logic
Toyota 4Runner Model Advantage: The 2026 Honda Passport has a strong V6, but the 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers more torque with both the i-FORCE engine and the available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain. The 4Runner hybrid also delivers more horsepower than the Passport.
2026 Toyota 4Runner vs. Honda Passport MPG and Hybrid Options
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner has an EPA-estimated 23 city / 24 highway / 23 combined MPG rating. It also offers a hybrid powertrain option.
The 2026 Honda Passport does not list a hybrid or EV option in the provided model details. Passport MPG ratings vary by trim. RTL, RTL Towing, and RTL Blackout trims are rated at 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG. TrailSport, TrailSport Blackout, and TrailSport Elite trims are rated at 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG.
For shoppers looking for a rugged SUV with a hybrid option, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner is the stronger choice.
Toyota 4Runner Model Advantage: The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers an available hybrid powertrain. The 2026 Honda Passport does not list a hybrid or EV option in the provided model details.
2026 Toyota 4Runner vs. Honda Passport Interior and Cargo Space
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers seating for up to seven, while the 2026 Honda Passport seats five. That gives the 4Runner an important advantage for shoppers who may need more passenger flexibility.
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner also offers up to 90.2 cubic feet of cargo space. This gives drivers useful room for road trip gear, sports equipment, outdoor supplies, and daily errands around Houston.
The 2026 Honda Passport offers up to 104.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume behind the first row with the rear seats folded down. Behind the second row, the Passport provides 44.0 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Passport also offers up to 119.1 cubic feet of passenger volume on RTL models.
The Passport has a strong cargo space, but the 4Runner offers something the Passport does not: available seating for up to seven. For many families, that added seating flexibility can be more important than maximum cargo volume.
2026 Toyota 4Runner:
- Seating for up to seven
- Up to 90.2 cubic feet of cargo space
- Available third-row seating on select trims
- Available leather-trimmed seating on select trims
- Available heated and ventilated front seats on select trims
2026 Honda Passport:
- Seating for five
- Up to 104.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume
- 44.0 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row
- Up to 119.1 cubic feet of passenger volume on RTL models
- 60/40 split rear seatback
Toyota 4Runner Model Advantage: The Honda Passport offers more maximum cargo volume in the provided data, but the Toyota 4Runner offers seating for up to seven. That makes the 4Runner a stronger fit for shoppers who need more passenger flexibility.
2026 Toyota 4Runner Safety Features Near Houston, TX
What are the safety features of the new Toyota 4Runner? The 2026 Toyota 4Runner includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and a strong list of safety and driver-assist features. For families and commuters near Houston, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress, and Magnolia, these features can help add confidence to everyday driving.
2026 Toyota 4Runner safety features include:
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
- 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions
- Panoramic View Monitor
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Trailer Sway Control
- Anti-theft system
- Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
- Nine airbags
- Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature
- Child-protector rear door locks
- Power window lockout control
- LATCH system
The 2026 Honda Passport also includes many safety features, including Collision Mitigation Braking System with Advanced Pedestrian Detection, Road Departure Mitigation System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Traffic Sign Recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Information with Lane Change Assist, Cross Traffic Monitor, Low Speed Braking Control, Driver Attention Monitor, Auto High-Beam Headlights, Parking Sensors, and more.
Both SUVs offer strong safety equipment. However, Toyota 4Runner shoppers also get the confidence of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and available camera technology such as Panoramic View Monitor and 3D Multi-Terrain and Panoramic View Monitors.
2026 Toyota 4Runner Technology Features
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers the kind of technology shoppers expect in a modern SUV. Depending on the trim, available features include a 14-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 3D Multi-Terrain and Panoramic View Monitors, and a Tow Technology Package. These features help the 4Runner feel easier to use on daily drives, road trips, and outdoor adventures. The available 14-inch touchscreen gives drivers a larger display for key controls, while the available digital gauge cluster gives the cabin a modern look and feel. Available Multi-Terrain and Panoramic View Monitor technology can also help drivers see more around the SUV.
The 2026 Honda Passport includes a 12.3-inch color touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, Google built-in, Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless phone charger, an available Multi-View Camera System with TrailWatch, and an available Bose Premium Sound System with 12 speakers.
Both models offer modern technology, but the Toyota 4Runner stands out with available trail-focused camera systems and a broad trim lineup that lets shoppers choose the right mix of comfort, technology, and capability.
New Toyota 4Runner FAQs Near Houston, TX
How much does the 2026 Toyota 4Runner cost?
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner starts at $42,070. The 2026 Honda Passport starts at $44,950.
How much horsepower does the 2026 Toyota 4Runner have?
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE engine delivers 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The available i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain delivers up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
How many people can the 2026 Toyota 4Runner seat?
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers seating for up to seven.
2026 Toyota 4Runner Test Drive in Houston, TX
Ready to compare the 2026 Toyota 4Runner vs. Honda Passport in person? Visit Fred Haas Toyota Country at 22435 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77070. Our Toyota dealership proudly serves drivers from Houston, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress, and Magnolia.
Whether you are interested in a 2026 Toyota 4Runner SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, TRD Pro, or an i-FORCE MAX Hybrid trim, our team can help you explore available Toyota inventory, compare trims, value your trade, and start the finance process. Call Fred Haas Toyota Country at (281) 357-4000, or visit our Houston Toyota dealership to test drive a new Toyota 4Runner near you.