New 2025 Toyota 4Runner, 2026 Honda Passport Are Here to Play

Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda have both something to please fans of rugged SUVs and off-road driving with their next-generation 4Runner and Passport, respectively. The two vehicles mark a significant departure from their predecessors, and while the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco will remain the benchmarks in this niche segment, they need to be taken pretty seriously by Canadian shoppers.

Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

2025 Toyota 4Runner: Now Available as a Hybrid

The sixth-generation 4Runner is the first that can be specified with an electrified powertrain, following the lead of every other Toyota SUV and pickup. What’s more, it’s by far the most powerful 4Runner ever with 326 horsepower and as much as 465 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that the hybrid system is built around also powers other models, marking a beautiful upgrade from the old 4.0-litre V6 with 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. A new eight-speed transmission is part of the mix, too.

Riding on Toyota’s TNGA-F truck platform, which is shared with the Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser and Sequoia, the latest iteration of the Japanese off-roader is more rigid yet more comfortable. Inside, look for a much more modern and practical cabin highlighted by the automaker’s new multimedia system. Furthermore, all 4Runners now feature Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the most advanced and most comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance technologies Toyota has to offer.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner went on sale in March and starts at an all-inclusive price of $57,200. Watch out: the fearsome TRD Pro, now exclusively available as a hybrid, costs nearly $13,000 more than it did for 2024, which can be quite a shock for existing owners.

Oh, and the first-ever Trailhunter—the most expensive 4Runner in the lineup at just over $87,000—is the backcountry specialist with a high-mount air intake, roof rack, rock rails, hot-stamped steel skid plates and onboard air compressor, not to mention Old Man Emu shock absorbers and stabilizer bar with disconnection mechanism. Who’s ready for an overlanding trip?

2026 Honda Passport: All About TrailSport

Hailed as the most adventurous and most off-road capable Honda SUV ever built, the second-generation Passport will offer Canadians a choice of two trim levels including TrailSport and TrailSport Touring when it goes on sale later in 2025. Honda’s development team in California started with the concept of “Born Wild,” looking to give their two-row midsize SUV a more rugged and more aggressive appearance.

Highlights include beefier tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, new front recovery hooks, stronger roof rails and a unique matte black finish on the rear section enabling owners to lean skis, fishing poles and other adventure equipment against the vehicle without damage. Under the hood is the same 3.5-litre V6, except that power is increased from 280 hp to 285 hp, a new 10-speed automatic transmission is mated to the engine, and the all-wheel drive system features a stronger rear drive unit that provides 30 percent faster response.

Inside, the 2026 Passport offers increased cargo capacity, newly designed seats that reduce fatigue, as well as a completely redesigned cockpit featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. Don’t miss the available new TrailWatch system that shows four camera views (front, rear, side and 360 degrees) along with convenient tire placement graphics to help drivers navigate obstacles outside their natural line of sight.

Honda has yet to announce timing and pricing details for this new Passport, which is made in the U.S. (unlike the 4Runner) and therefore subject to Canadian countertariffs imposed in retaliation to those of President Donald Trump. If you’re waiting for it, keep your fingers crossed!