Honda Passport TrailSport vs Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport · RWD

Honda Passport TrailSport vs Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport · RWD

Which vehicles are we comparing?

vs
Passport TrailSport — $48,650 · 285 hp · 20 mpg4Runner TRD Sport — $48,750 · 278 hp · 22 mpg

Before you compare

What this matchup really means

TrailSport and TRD Sport sit a tier apart — features on one side, price on the other.

MatchupFeatures vs Price

Passport TrailSport

  • Available all-wheel drive
  • 12.3-inch touchscreen
  • More horsepower
  • Balanced everyday pick

4Runner TRD Sport

  • Better fuel economy
  • Balanced everyday pick
  • More cargo space
Read the full breakdown

These trims sit a tier apart. The TrailSport is a Passport trim and the TRD Sport is a 4Runner trim. The higher trim adds equipment; the lower trim answers with a lower price. The question is whether the added content is worth the difference. The TrailSport and TRD Sport start at roughly the same price.

Because these two trims sit at different points in their lineups, the category winners below reflect trim level as much as brand. Read them as evidence — the more equipped trim will tend to win on features and comfort, while the lower trim answers on price — and weigh that against the equipment you will actually use. Use the verified specifications as the basis for the recommendation, not marketing claims.

Who each is for: the TrailSport suits buyers who prioritize a balance of price and features, while the TRD Sport suits buyers who prioritize a balance of price and features. If those priorities are clear to you, the right choice usually follows directly from them.

At a glance

The quick decision

Best overall

Passport TrailSport

If you're shopping for the right balance of features and price, the Passport TrailSport is the stronger choice here — it leads where it counts most for this matchup, while the 4Runner TRD Sport still makes its case on more cargo space and everyday practicality.

Best value

Passport TrailSport

Passport TrailSport starts at $48,650 vs $48,750.

Best performance

Passport TrailSport

Passport TrailSport makes 285 hp vs 278 hp.

Best efficiency

4Runner TRD Sport

4Runner TRD Sport returns 22 mpg combined vs 20 mpg.

Head to head

Who wins what

The verified differences most likely to decide it — each shown side by side, with the winner called out.

Technology

WinnerPassport TrailSport

An easier, more modern infotainment experience, supported by a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen — where the 4Runner TRD Sport has a smaller 8-inch screen.

Cargo & Daily Use

Winner4Runner TRD Sport
90.2 cu ftvs83.8 cu ft

The 4Runner TRD Sport makes everyday hauling and road trips easier with more cargo room.

Price & Value

WinnerPassport TrailSport
$48,650vs48750 USD

The Passport TrailSport lowers your cost of entry with a lower starting price.

Fuel Economy

Winner4Runner TRD Sport
22 mpgvs20 mpg

The 4Runner TRD Sport delivers lower fuel costs and fewer stops at the pump.

Performance

WinnerPassport TrailSport
285 hpvs278 hp

The Passport TrailSport gives you stronger acceleration and easier passing.

Read the full breakdown

The TrailSport and the TRD Sport are a tier apart, so the higher trim brings more content and the lower trim brings a lower price. Decide whether the extra equipment earns the premium for how you actually drive. The TrailSport and TRD Sport start at roughly the same price.

On verified numbers, the TrailSport leads in horsepower; the TRD Sport leads in torque, combined mpg, and cargo volume. What the numbers actually mean for you: a fuel-economy edge translates into fewer stops at the pump and lower running costs over years of ownership, not just a better sticker; a horsepower advantage shows up most when merging and passing rather than in daily commuting; and cargo or passenger volume is what decides how each car handles road trips, gear, and family duty. Read each category winner alongside the size of its margin — a few mpg or a fraction of a cubic foot rarely changes daily life, while a wide gap genuinely does.

When it matters most: if your commute is long, weight the efficiency result heavily; if you rarely carry more than passengers, a practicality gap may not affect you; and if winters are harsh, all-wheel-drive availability can outweigh a modest power difference. Because the TrailSport and TRD Sport sit at different price points, decide which category wins above actually justify the gap for how you drive — that, more than any single spec, is the real decision here.

Visual comparison

See them side by side

Exterior

Passport TrailSport
Passport TrailSport
4Runner TRD Sport
4Runner TRD Sport

Standout features

Passport TrailSport

  • Available AWD
  • Leatherette seats
  • 12.3-inch touchscreen
  • Moonroof

4Runner TRD Sport

  • Leatherette seats
  • 8-inch touchscreen

Interior

Passport TrailSport
Passport TrailSport

Available colors

Passport TrailSport

Passport TrailSport — Crystal Black Pearl
Crystal Black Pearl
Passport TrailSport — Obsidian Blue Pearl
Obsidian Blue Pearl
Passport TrailSport — Sonic Gray Pearl
Sonic Gray Pearl
Passport TrailSport — Ash Green Metallic
Ash Green Metallic
Passport TrailSport — Modern Steel Metallic
Modern Steel Metallic
Passport TrailSport — Sunset Orange
Sunset Orange
Passport TrailSport — Radiant Red Metallic II
Radiant Red Metallic II
Passport TrailSport — Platinum White Pearl
Platinum White Pearl

4Runner TRD Sport

4Runner TRD Sport — Wind Chill Pearl
Wind Chill Pearl
4Runner TRD Sport — Cutting Edge
Cutting Edge
4Runner TRD Sport — Underground
Underground
4Runner TRD Sport — Black
Black
4Runner TRD Sport — Supersonic Red
Supersonic Red
4Runner TRD Sport — Heritage Blue
Heritage Blue
4Runner TRD Sport — Wind Chill Pearl
Wind Chill Pearl
4Runner TRD Sport — Cutting Edge
Cutting Edge

The bottom line

The verdict

Editor's pick

Passport TrailSport

If you're shopping for the right balance of features and price, the Passport TrailSport is the stronger choice here — it leads where it counts most for this matchup, while the 4Runner TRD Sport still makes its case on more cargo space and everyday practicality.

Why we landed here

  • This is a features-vs-price matchup, so the categories that matter most to the right balance of features and price carry the most weight — not a raw tally of category wins.
  • The Passport TrailSport leads on technology, price, and performance.
  • The 4Runner TRD Sport counters with cargo space and fuel economy.

What could change this: If more cargo space and everyday practicality becomes your top priority, the 4Runner TRD Sport moves ahead — the recommendation tracks your intent, not a fixed scorecard.

Passport TrailSport: lower starting price22 mpg combined4Runner TRD Sport: more cargo room
Read the full verdict

The TrailSport and the TRD Sport trade features for price across one tier — the verdict is whether the extra equipment is worth the difference for you.

On verified numbers, the TrailSport leads in horsepower; the TRD Sport leads in torque, combined mpg, and cargo volume.

That recommendation is a starting point, not a rule. The case for the other vehicle is real, and for some drivers it is the better buy: if you regularly face snow or rain and want all-wheel-drive traction, value stronger acceleration and a sportier feel, or simply prefer how it looks and drives, the runner-up here may suit you better than the categories alone suggest. We reached this verdict by tallying the verified head-to-head categories above — price, efficiency, space, and power — and favoring the vehicle that wins the ones most shoppers rank first, while noting where the margins are slim enough that personal preference should decide. We encourage you to test-drive both, weigh each vehicle's strengths against your own priorities, and let your daily reality — your commute, your climate, and your budget — guide the final decision. Between two choices this capable, the right answer is simply the one that best fits the way you live and drive.

The full picture

What to know before you decide

Living with the Passport TrailSport

  • Leather-trimmed, upscale cabin
  • Available all-wheel drive
  • Lower price of entry

Living with the 4Runner TRD Sport

  • Leather-trimmed, upscale cabin

Daily commuting

  • 4Runner TRD Sport: 22 mpg mpg — fewer fill-ups
  • Quiet and composed in stop-and-go
  • Comfortable, supportive seats for the daily drive

Long road trips

  • 4Runner TRD Sport: more cargo for luggage & gear
  • 4Runner TRD Sport: fewer fuel stops between cities
  • Relaxed, refined highway cruisers

Winter ownership

  • Winter tires matter most for cold-weather grip

By the numbers

Specs that matter

These are the figures most shoppers weigh first — price, power, efficiency, and room — with the full specification table below.

Starting price
Passport TrailSport$48,650
4Runner TRD Sport$48,750
Best value
Horsepower
Passport TrailSport285 hp
4Runner TRD Sport278 hp
Most power
Combined MPG
Passport TrailSport20 mpg
4Runner TRD Sport22 mpg
Most efficient
Cargo volume
Passport TrailSport83.8 cu ft
4Runner TRD Sport90.2 cu ft
Most cargo space
AWD availability
Passport TrailSportYes
4Runner TRD SportNo
Available AWD
Full specificationsevidence — quiet by design
SpecificationPassport TrailSport4Runner TRD Sport
Starting MSRP$48,65048750 USD
Horsepower285 hp278 hp
Torque262 lb-ft317 lb-ft
Combined MPG20 mpg22 mpg
City MPG18 mpg20 mpg
Highway MPG23 mpg26 mpg
Cargo volume83.8 cu ft90.2 cu ft
Seating55
DrivetrainAll Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Transmission10-Speed Automatic8-Speed Automatic

Make the call

Which one is right for you?

  • Choose the TrailSport if you prefer the TrailSport's balance of equipment and price.
  • Choose the TRD Sport if you prefer the TRD Sport's balance of equipment and price.
Passport TrailSport buyer

Best for:

  • Its verified category wins above match your priorities
  • You weigh everyday practicality and running costs first

This side fits shoppers whose week centers on commuting, errands, and family logistics rather than performance driving. Judge it by the verified category wins above — the prices, economy, and space figures on this page are the evidence — and weigh them against how you actually drive.

4Runner TRD Sport buyer

Best for:

  • Better fuel economy
  • More cargo and passenger room
  • Its verified category wins above match your priorities
  • You want to weigh this matchup from the other side

This side fits shoppers drawn to what this vehicle verifiably wins above. Use those category results — not brand impressions — as the evidence, then let a back-to-back test drive settle how each one actually feels to you.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

The questions shoppers ask most when weighing these two — answered with the verified facts.

It comes down to how much you value what the extra money buys. The Passport TrailSport sits higher in its lineup, so it adds equipment over the 4Runner TRD Sport — typically the comfort, technology, and convenience features you touch every day, such as leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, and a moonroof. The TrailSport and TRD Sport start at roughly the same price. If those upgrades match how you actually use a car — long commutes, frequent passengers, a love of the little luxuries — the premium is easy to justify and you'll appreciate it daily. If you mostly need dependable, well-equipped transportation and would rather keep the monthly payment down, the 4Runner TRD Sport covers the fundamentals just as capably and is the smarter value. Price comparably equipped examples at your local dealers, because incentives and financing often move the real-world gap more than the sticker suggests.

"Nicer every day" is about the things you touch on every drive — the seats, the controls, and the screen. Both cabins are comfortable and well laid out, so daily feel is close. The Passport TrailSport also offers a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which keeps navigation and music easy to use at a glance. Comfort is personal, though: seat shape, driving position, and how intuitive the controls feel to you matter more than any feature list. Spend ten minutes in each on a route like your real commute — that test drive will tell you more about daily livability than any spec comparison.

Yes — a few things worth knowing before you decide. The 4Runner TRD Sport brings stronger fuel economy that the Passport TrailSport doesn't match in this pairing. None of these automatically make it the better car for you, but if any one lines up with how you drive, it's a genuine reason to give the TRD Sport a serious look. Weigh those advantages against where the TrailSport leads — and the verdict above — rather than treating any single feature as the whole decision.

High annual mileage puts the spotlight on running costs, and that's mostly about fuel. Here, the 4Runner TRD Sport returns the better EPA-estimated economy (22 mpg combined) — over 15,000 miles a year that adds up to noticeably fewer fill-ups and real money saved versus the alternative. Beyond fuel, a high-mileage driver should weigh seat comfort for all those hours and each model's reliability record — worth checking current ratings for the specific trims, since it matters most when you're piling on miles. If your year is mostly highway commuting, lean toward the more efficient, more comfortable choice; the small differences compound over 15,000 miles in a way they wouldn't for a light-use second car.

Both should serve a five-year owner dependably with routine maintenance — check each model's current reliability ratings and warranty terms for a clearer read on long-term durability. We don't publish a crystal ball on resale for this exact pairing, so treat long-term value as a tie-breaker rather than a deciding factor — check current residual estimates and warranty terms for the specific trims when you're close to buying. What you can control is fit: the Passport TrailSport's cabin and the features you use daily are what make a car easy to keep happily for five years, so choose the one that suits your routine and have it serviced on schedule.

On materials, the TrailSport and TRD Sport are closely matched — both use quality finishes appropriate to their price. On space, expect more cargo room in the 4Runner TRD Sport. Interior preference is partly personal — dashboard layout, seat shape, and where the controls fall all factor in — so the best test is to sit in both. If a richer, more feature-laden cabin matters to you, the Passport TrailSport is the one to start with; if you mainly want a comfortable, sensibly-arranged space, either will serve you well day to day.

The Passport TrailSport has the stronger tech story in this matchup, offering a 12.3-inch touchscreen. A larger, crisper central screen makes maps and media easier to read and operate at a glance, and extras like a head-up display or premium audio add genuine day-to-day polish. The other car still covers the essentials — both include smartphone integration and the safety-tech basics expected in the class — so you're not going without; the Passport TrailSport simply pushes further on screen size and features. If a big, modern display and the latest in-cabin tech rank high for you, start with the Passport TrailSport; if you mostly mirror your phone for navigation and music, either handles daily use comfortably.

For most shoppers, the right pick follows your priorities rather than a single score. Buyers who prioritize a balance of price and features tend to be happiest in the Passport TrailSport, while those who prioritize a balance of price and features lean toward the 4Runner TRD Sport. if running costs lead, the 4Runner TRD Sport's efficiency is the draw. Both are genuinely good midsize suvs, so this isn't about one being a mistake — it's about which set of strengths fits your life. Use the verdict above as the starting recommendation, then confirm it with a back-to-back test drive of the exact trims you're considering.

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