Is the Honda Passport better than the Toyota Highlander for road trips?

Which SUV is better for a road trip depends entirely on your passenger count, your destination, and how much you value fuel budget over cargo space.

• Choose the Honda Passport if your road trips involve up to 4 or 5 people and a mountain of outdoor gear. Because it lacks a third row, it prioritizes massive, boxy cargo capacity and class-leading second-row legroom. Its higher ground clearance and robust AWD system also make it the superior choice if your road trips involve national parks, unpaved roads, or light trail driving.
• Choose the Toyota Highlander if you want a quiet, plush highway cruiser, need to occasionally carry up to 7 or 8 passengers, or want to minimize fuel stops. The Highlander is slightly longer and offers a standard (though tight) third row. Most importantly, its optional Hybrid powertrain delivers up to 35-36 mpg, which can dramatically lower your fuel costs on multi-thousand-mile journeys.

The Verdict: For a classic, gear-heavy outdoor adventure road trip, the Honda Passport is more comfortable and practical. For budget-conscious highway cruising with the family, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is tough to beat.