Returning a nameplate from the 1990s and early 2000s, Honda announced the Passport SUV would be returning a few years back, slotting in between the CR-V and the Pilot in its SUV lineup. Since then it has served as a popular vehicle for loyal buyers looking to trade up to larger vehicles within the Honda brand.

To keep things fresh, with the arrival of the 2022 Passport, an upgrade to the exterior design has been applied. But the biggest news is the offering of a new TrailSport trim level — which both looks more aggressive and performs more impressively in light off-road conditions.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport, and I’m back with a full report. 

Among the sea of available compact SUVs, every entry has its strong points.
And when we’re talking about Jeep, one word comes to mind: Rugged.

I recently tested a 2020 Jeep Cherokee, a compact SUV that offers an edge in off-road capability over the competition — which includes the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and many more.

LOOKS
For 2020, there are few major changes, and much of the Cherokee design dates back several years. It’s still a sharp exterior look though, with an attractive side view and the usual seven-slot grille up front, complemented by nicely-shaped headlamps.

The interior is very welcoming and comfortable, and more upscale than you would expect from a Jeep. My test vehicle featured premium leather-trimmed bucket seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

Spacewise, keep in mind this is a compact SUV, so the rear will be a bit tight for passengers in terms of leg room. Front seats are very comfortable and you get good head space all around. Cargo space is decent but less than some competitors.

Looking at the Toyota vehicle lineup, most of it is pretty tame and domesticated. 

But there’s one item that dramatically departs from this model — The off-road star known as the Toyota 4Runner. There are few true direct rivals to the 4Runner, making it almost in a class of its own and filling a unique niche.

Amazingly, this vehicle has not been updated since 2010, an eternity in car years. Read on for a full review of how it holds up as we enter the 2020s.