2021 Toyota Venza vs. Honda Passport Comparison
Safety
- The 2021 Venza comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0). The Passport has Honda Sensing® Technologies.
- You get Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) on the Venza LE. To get this same feature on the Passport you'd have to upgrade to the Passport EX-L or higher.
- You'll be driving with confidence knowing that both SUVs received 5-Star Overall Safety Ratings by the NHTSA.
Safety is important no matter what vehicle you pick. That's why many drivers give extra attention to driver-assistive technology offerings when choosing their next car.
Standard Safety Features
With the 2021 Venza you get Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) Automatic High Beams (AHB), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Road Sign Assist (RSA).
The Venza LE base model also comes standard with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). For Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Cross Traffic Monitor for the Passport, you'd have to upgrade to the Passport EX-L or higher.
Honda's comparable safety system includes Honda Sensing® Technologies. The similar standard features listed are a Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Auto High-Beam Headlights, and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
To avoid backward rolling on steep inclines, the Venza and Passport both have standard Hill Start Assist Control (HAC).
Only the Venza, which starts at $32,470, has standard AWD for more driving confidence in many adverse road conditions and Active Cornering Assist (ACA) to add control during tight turns. To get standard AWD on the Honda Passport, you'd need to upgrade to the Passport Elite which starts at $44,180.
Additionally, both the 2021 Venza and Passport received 5-Star Overall Safety Ratings by the NHTSA.
Performance
- The Venza has a hybrid engine that really packs a performance punch with an EPA-estimated 40/37/39 (city/highway/combined) MPG rating. The Passport lacks a hybrid trim.
- The Venza has the availability to switch between Sport, ECO, Normal, and EV Modes. The Passport doesn't mention these driving options on their specs page.
- With the Venza's Active Cornering Assist (ACA) you'll also have more control over your drive.
If you want the utility that an SUV provides with excellent fuel economy, the Venza offers a mix of both but with significantly better EPA-estimated MPG ratings than the Passport. For its part, the Passport has more horsepower.
Fuel Economy
The Venza, powered by a hybrid engine, has an EPA-estimated 40/37/39 (city/highway/combined) MPG rating on all trim levels. The Passport offers only gas-engine configurations which means it falls behind in fuel economy. With an EPA-estimated 20/25/22 (city/highway/combined) for the Passport FWD and 19/24/21 (city/highway/combined) for the AWD models, none of the Passport models come close.
In the 2021 Venza, you can also switch between Sport, ECO, Normal, and EV Modes depending on your driving needs. The Passport does not advertise having the ability to switch driving modes despite having better power under the hood.
Plus, you gain even more control with Active Cornering Assist (ACA) in the Venza which helps improve handling.
One slight advantage the Passport does have is horsepower. With a standard V6 engine, the Passport has 280 horsepower. The Venza's Hybrid System produces a combined net horsepower of 219.
To keep your vehicle in top shape, Toyota has the ToyotaCare plan which includes factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first plus 24/7 Roadside Assistance for 2 years, unlimited mileage. The Passport has Honda Roadside Assistance lasting for 3 years/36,000 miles. Honda Care Maintenance, is a prepaid maintenance plan that will cost extra.
Interior
- The 2021 Venza comes standard with a lot of media features like Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®. To get those features standard on the Passport you'd need the EX-L trim or higher.
- If you're wanting a simple way to charge your phone, the Venza has Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging.
- The Toyota Venza has an available 12.3-in. touchscreen. The Passport only has an available 8-in. touchscreen.
Multimedia can be what completes any ride. With the standard audio options in the Venza you can take a simple trip to the store and make it an adventure.
Multimedia Features
Play your favorite tunes with Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa compatibility standard on the Venza. Plus, get hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth®. The Passport has standard Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and Streaming Audio. But, to get Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® Integration you'd have to spend a starting MSRP of $36,810 for the EX-L or higher. The Venza has these features and more standard for a starting MSRP of $32,470.
The Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® audio package which includes a 12.3-in. touchscreen and nine JBL® speakers is standard on the Venza Limited which starts at $39,800. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic is standard starting on the Passport Touring which starts at $39,680. Comparatively, the Premium Audio System for the Honda Passport comes with an 8-in. touchscreen and 10 Speakers.
To its advantage, the Passport offers more cargo and legroom. With 77.9 cu. ft. behind the 1st-row and 40.9 in./39.6 in. (front/rear) legroom, the Passport is slightly larger. The Venza has 55.1 cu. ft. of cargo behind the front row and a similar amount of legroom with 40.9 in./37.8 in. (front/rear) of space.
For an added tech touch, the Venza has Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging and four USB charge ports. The Passport only has two USB ports standard and no mention of wireless charging capabilities.
Conclusion: Venza vs. Passport
A matchup between the 2021 Venza and the Passport reveals two smaller SUVs that have great safety and reliability features. However, only one can come out ahead in the comparison and that's the Venza. It wins for its standard safety features, performance and fuel economy, plus its multimedia features.
- The Venza comes with several helpful standard safety features, like Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).
- The ToyotaCare factory-scheduled maintenance plan. comes standard with the Venza, but you have to pay extra to get Honda's scheduled maintenance program.
- A 12.3-in. touchscreen is available in the Venza, but the largest available in the Passport is only an 8-in. touchscreen.
- The Venza comes with a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging station to keep your devices fully charged.
- Multimedia features like Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® come standard with the Venza.
- The Venza easily wins for fuel economy with its hybrid engine delivering an EPA-estimated 40/37/39 (city/highway/combined) MPG rating.