How These Two SUVs Differ in Size, Seating, and Purpose
The Honda Passport and Toyota Highlander are both three-row SUVs, but they serve different buyers. The Passport is a body-on-frame truck-based vehicle designed for off-road capability and towing, while the Highlander is a car-based crossover built for passenger comfort and fuel economy. If you prioritize rough terrain and hauling, the Passport's truck foundation gives it an advantage. If you want a smoother ride, better gas mileage, and easier entry to the third row, the Highlander is the stronger choice.
Size matters here. The Passport is about 190 inches long and sits higher off the ground with more ground clearance. The Highlander is roughly 195 inches long but sits lower, making it easier to load cargo and children. Both seat up to eight passengers, but the Highlander's third row is more spacious for actual adults on longer trips.
Key Takeaways
- The Passport is truck-based with a body-on-frame design, while the Highlander is a car-based crossover, making the Passport better for off-road use and the Highlander better for daily comfort.
- The Highlander gets better fuel economy (around 21–28 mpg combined depending on engine choice) compared to the Passport (around 17–20 mpg combined).
- The Passport offers more towing capacity (around 5,000 pounds) than the Highlander (around 3,500 pounds), though both can handle moderate trailers.
- The Highlander has a lower step-in height and easier third-row access, while the Passport sits higher and requires more effort to board, especially for children and older passengers.
- The Passport starts lower in price than the Highlander, but the Highlander typically holds resale value better and has lower maintenance costs.
Engine Options and Fuel Economy
The Honda Passport comes with a single 3.5-liter V6 engine producing around 280 horsepower. It pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivers solid power but drinks fuel at a rate of roughly 17–20 mpg combined, depending on whether you choose two-wheel or four-wheel drive.
The Toyota Highlander offers two engine choices. The standard 3.5-liter V6 produces 295 horsepower and achieves around 21–24 mpg combined. The hybrid version uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with electric motors, delivering 243 total horsepower and reaching 28–34 mpg combined. If fuel costs matter to your budget, the Highlander hybrid cuts your gas spending roughly in half compared to the Passport.
Neither vehicle is designed for extreme fuel economy, but the Highlander's hybrid option gives it a clear advantage for buyers who drive mostly on highways and city streets. The Passport's single engine option means you cannot trade power for efficiency.
Towing Capacity and Cargo Space
The Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it suitable for small boat trailers, utility trailers, and light construction equipment. Its truck-based frame is engineered to handle this load with less strain than a crossover design.
The Highlander maxes out at around 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, which covers smaller trailers and light loads but falls short if you plan to haul a larger boat or enclosed trailer regularly. However, the Highlander offers more interior cargo space when seats are folded—around 84 cubic feet compared to the Passport's 76 cubic feet.
If towing is a primary use case, the Passport wins. If you need to haul passengers and cargo together without a trailer, the Highlander's layout is more practical.
Off-Road Capability and Driving Dynamics
The Passport's truck-based platform, higher ground clearance (around 8.6 inches), and available all-terrain tires make it genuinely capable on unpaved roads, rocky terrain, and light trails. It has a locking rear differential available on higher trims, which improves traction in difficult conditions. The steering is heavier, and the ride is firmer—characteristics that translate to better control when driving off-road.
The Highlander is a crossover designed for paved surfaces. Its ground clearance is lower (around 8.3 inches), and its all-wheel-drive system is optimized for snow and slippery pavement, not rocks and ruts. It rides more smoothly on highways and city streets, but it is not built to handle serious off-road use.
If your driving stays on roads, the Highlander's smoother ride and better handling feel more refined. If you spend weekends on forest roads or rough terrain, the Passport is the only realistic choice between these two.
Interior Comfort and Third-Row Access
The Highlander's car-based design means a lower step-in height and easier access to all three rows. The third row is genuinely usable for adults on short trips, and children can climb in without information. The interior feels more spacious because the crossover design maximizes headroom and legroom. Climate control zones and available power-adjustable seats add comfort on longer drives.
The Passport sits higher, which means a bigger step up to enter—a real consideration if you have young children, elderly passengers, or mobility concerns. The third row is tighter and better suited for children or occasional use by adults. The truck-based interior feels more utilitarian, with harder plastics and fewer soft-touch surfaces.
For families with multiple children or frequent passengers, the Highlander's interior is more accommodating. For solo drivers or small families who rarely use the third row, the Passport's tighter cabin is not a drawback.
Price and Long-Term Costs
The Passport typically starts around $48,000 to $50,000 before options, while the Highlander begins around $38,000 to $40,000 for the base model. The Highlander hybrid costs more upfront but recovers that cost through fuel savings over five to seven years if you drive 12,000 miles or more annually.
Maintenance costs favor the Highlander. Toyota's reputation for reliability and lower service costs means fewer unexpected repairs. The Passport, while reliable, uses truck-based components that can be more expensive to service. Insurance rates are similar, but the Highlander's higher resale value—typically 5 to 10 percent better after five years—makes it the cheaper vehicle to own long-term for most buyers.
If you plan to keep the vehicle for 10 years or more, the Highlander's lower operating costs add up. If you keep vehicles for three to five years, the Passport's lower purchase price may offset higher fuel and maintenance costs.
Which Vehicle Should You Choose
Choose the Passport if you tow regularly, drive on unpaved roads, want a truck-like driving experience, or prioritize initial purchase price. It is the right vehicle for outdoor enthusiasts, contractors, and buyers who value capability over comfort.
Choose the Highlander if you prioritize passenger comfort, want better fuel economy, need straightforward third-row access, or plan to keep the vehicle long-term. It is the right vehicle for families, commuters, and buyers who spend most time on paved roads.
Test drive both. The difference in ride quality, seating comfort, and ease of entry becomes obvious within the first 10 minutes. Your actual driving patterns—highway versus off-road, passengers versus cargo, annual mileage—should guide the final decision more than specifications alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which gets better gas mileage, the Passport or Highlander?
The Highlander gets better fuel economy across all versions. The standard V6 Highlander achieves around 21–24 mpg combined, while the hybrid reaches 28–34 mpg combined. The Passport averages 17–20 mpg combined. The Highlander hybrid can cut fuel costs roughly in half compared to the Passport.
Can the Passport handle snow and ice as well as the Highlander?
Both handle snow adequately with all-wheel drive and winter tires. The Highlander's lower center of gravity and car-based design make it feel more stable on icy highways. The Passport's higher ground clearance and locking differential give it an edge in deep snow or off-road winter conditions, but for typical winter driving, both are competent.
Is the Highlander's third row really usable for adults?
Yes, for short trips. Adults can fit and sit upright, though legroom is tight. The Passport's third row is even tighter and better suited for children. If you regularly carry five or more adults, neither vehicle is ideal—you would want a minivan or larger SUV.
Which one holds its value better?
The Highlander typically retains 5 to 10 percent more of its purchase price after five years. Toyota's strong resale market and reputation for reliability work in its favor. The Passport depreciates faster, though it still holds value reasonably well for a truck-based vehicle.
What if I need to tow but want better fuel economy?
The Highlander can tow 3,500 pounds, which covers many small trailers and light loads. If that capacity is enough for your needs, the Highlander hybrid gives you both towing and fuel savings. If you need to tow 5,000 pounds or more regularly, the Passport is the only choice, and fuel economy becomes a secondary concern.