Honda Pilot Vs. Passport: Choosing The Best SUV For Your Lifestyle
2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2026 Honda Passport at a Glance
- The Honda Pilot stretches around eight inches longer than the Passport and adds a third row of seating, making it a better fit for larger families, while the Honda Passport is more maneuverable on crowded streets.
- With up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity,1 both SUVs are ready to bring along your family's gear on any adventure.
- Both models have nearly identical passenger dimensions in the first and second rows, ensuring a comfortable ride for you and your passengers whether you opt for two or three rows.
- Each model comes standard with the Honda Sensing Driver-Assistive suite of safety features and other modern technology.
Two Rows or Three: Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport
So, you're here to learn more about the Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport? The team at Pecheles Honda put together this guide to help you compare these versatile SUVs so you can decide if the two- or three-row model is right for you. They share a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and plenty of creature comforts. Beyond their performance and appointment similarities, these models cater to different lifestyles – the Pilot gives you more seating for your growing family, while the Passport prioritizes extra trunk space for your exploration gear.
Use this guide to compare amenities, specs, dimensions, and more. It's important to note that this comparison will look at the 2025 Honda Pilot and the newly released 2026 Honda Passport – be sure to ask us if you want more info about the 2025 Passport. Learn more below.
Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport Specs & Performance
When it comes to performance, you won't find many differences between these two SUVs. The most obvious is that the Passport comes standard with AWD, while the Pilot gives you a choice between 2WD and AWD – this lets the Pilot remain competitive with the Passport for maximum MPG ratings.
Other than that, you'll find the same engine: a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. They can both also tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, though the Pilot's hauling power is a bit lower – 3,500 pounds1 – when it's equipped with 2WD.
Instead, as we'll see later, these sport-utes differ more in who they cater to, with the Pilot designed with family priorities in mind and the Passport leaning more into the nature-loving segment of the auto industry.
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| 2025 Honda Pilot | 2026 Honda Passport | |
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 | 3.5L V-6 |
| Horsepower | 285 | 285 |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | 2WD or AWD | AWD |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto | 10-speed auto |
| Max. EPA-Est. MPG (Cty / Hwy / Comb) |
| 19 / 25 / 21 MPG2 |
| Towing Capacity |
| 5,000 lbs1 |
| Pricing | Lower | Higher |
| Seating Capacity | 7 or 8 | 5 |
| Length | 199.9 - 200.2 in | 191.5 in |
| Width | 78.5 in | 79.4 in |
| Height | 70.9 - 72 in | 73.1 in |
| Ground Clearance |
| 8.3 in |
| Headroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) W/O Moonroof | 40.5 / 40.2 / 39.3 in | 40.5 / 40.7 / N/Ain |
| Headroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) W/ Moonroof | 39.1 / 39.2 / 39.3 in | 39.1 / 39.6 / N/A in |
| Legroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 41 / 40.8 / 32.5 in | 41.1 / 40.9 / N/A in |
| Shoulder Room (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 61.9 / 61.7 / 59.5 in | 61.9 / 61.7 / N/A in |
| Hip Room (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 58.4 / 57.4 / 44.6 in | 58.3 / 57.4 / N/A in |
| Cargo Space (Min. / Max.) | 18.6 / 87 cu ft | 44 / 83.8 cu ft |
Honda Passport vs. Honda Pilot Dimensions
We won't spend much time on dimensions because both models provide supreme comfort for everyone in the cabin. As you can see from the chart above, they have nearly identical legroom, headroom, shoulder room, and hip room measurements in the first and second rows. The larger Pilot has an extra row that delivers cozy legroom measurements suited to children and young adults. It also has more maximum cargo volume, but both models offer similar load space when only five seats are in use.
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| 2025 Honda Pilot | 2026 Honda Passport | |
| Technology | ||
| Infotainment Color Touchscreen |
| 12.3 in |
| Digital Instrument Cluster |
| 10.2 in |
| Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ |
| Wireless |
| Standard Audio System | 7-speaker | 9-speaker |
| Available Audio Systems |
| 12-speaker Bose® |
| Alexa® Built-In | N/A | Standard |
| Google Built-In | N/A | Standard |
| Wireless Phone Charging | Available | Standard |
| CabinTalk (In-Car PA System) | Available | N/A |
| Comfort | ||
| Climate Control | 3-zone auto | 3-zone auto |
| Standard Upholstery | Cloth | Leather & cloth |
| Available Upholsteries |
|
|
| Heated Front Seats | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Available | Available |
| Heated Rear Outboard Seats | Available | Available |
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | Standard | Standard |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Available | Available |
| Panoramic Moonroof | Available | Available |
| Utility & Off-Roading | ||
| Class III Trailer Hitch | Available | Available |
| Power Tailgate | Available | Standard |
| On-Demand In-Trunk Seat Storage | Available | N/A |
| Wheels |
| 18 in |
| Tires |
|
|
| Skid Plates | Available | Available |
| Safety | ||
| Forward Collision Warning | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning | Standard | Standard |
| Collision Mitigation Braking System | Standard | Standard |
| Road Departure Mitigation System | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | Standard | Standard |
| Traffic Jam Assist | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control w/ Low-Speed Follow | Standard | Standard |
| Traffic Sign Recognition System | Standard | Standard |
| Auto High-Beam Headlights | Standard | Standard |
| Driver Attention Monitor | Standard | Standard |
| Blind Spot Information System | Standard | Standard |
| Cross Traffic Monitor | Standard | Standard |
| Low-Speed Braking Control | Available | Standard |
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | Available | Standard |
| Brake Assist | Standard | Standard |
| Rearview Camera | Standard | Standard |
| Multi-View Camera | Available | Available |
| TrailWatch | Available | Available |
Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport Interior & Features
When comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Honda Passport, you can see that both models are fairly even-keeled. As we compare the newly introduced 2026 Passport to the 2025 Honda Pilot, we see a few more key differences between the two – still, this could be an indicator of what the 2026 Pilot will look like when it hits dealerships. For now, let's evaluate current Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport trims, beginning with a detailed chart.
For the three-row Pilot, seating materials range from cloth to synthetic or genuine leather. The standard touchscreen is 7 inches, with a 9-inch upgrade available in the lineup. You'll get a seven-speaker sound system with the entry-level model – higher trims come with either a nine-speaker setup or a 12-speaker Bose® premium audio system.
Upholstery is similar, but you'll notice some distinct improvements to the new 2026 Honda Passport:
- It comes standard with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen.
- It has a standard 10.2-inch driver information display, which is available for the Pilot.
- The Passport starts you off with a nine-speaker sound system that's available for the Pilot.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard in every model.
- You won't find the Passports standard Alexa® Built-In or Google Built-In services in the Pilot lineup.
Check out our new Honda vehicles inventory to see which available features come in which trims.
Alternatively, shop our pre-owned Honda SUVs to see what previous years of these impressive vehicles had on tap.
Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport Safety & Reliability
When it comes to safety and reliability, both models come with Honda Sensing Driver Assistive technologies, including systems like Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and much more.
Both the 2025 Pilot and 2025 Passport earned a "Great" Quality & Reliability Rating of 80/100 from J.D. Power,3,4 and we expect the 2026 Passport to be similar or even higher when it's rated.
What Reddit Users Say About The Honda Pilot and Honda Passport
Are you looking for reviews of the Pilot vs. Passport? Reddit provides a platform for drivers like you to discuss their personal experiences with vehicles. See what other motorists have to say about these exceptional sport-utes. We can tell you how great they are all day long, but we also understand the value that can only be provided by real-world drivers.
CMDR_Jetsukai
"I don't know if one is superior to the other. They are similar but serve different purposes. The Pilot would be the one to go with if you need 3 rows with AWD, but don't want to drive a minivan. The Passport is about 6 inches shorter, only has 2 rows, a large rear cargo area with extra lower storage compartments, and 1 inch higher ground clearance. I bought a Passport because we are a family of 3 plus a dog. No need for the 3rd row. I've owned it for 4 years now, and it's been exceptional so far. Unfortunately, it was in an accident a few weeks ago. Still waiting to find out from insurance what we will do next."
Read MoreHonda Passport vs. Honda Pilot Verdict
You can't go wrong with either the 2025 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Honda Passport – the choice comes down to your personal preferences. If you're in the area, shop our new inventory or browse our certified pre-owned Honda vehicles for used models under seven years old with warranty coverage. We here at Pecheles Honda would love to help you get in the driver's seat of your next Honda vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between the Honda Pilot and the Honda Passport?
The main differences between the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport SUVs are their size, available seating, and lifestyle focus. The Pilot is a three-row SUV with seating for up to eight and is great for families while still offering off-road capabilities. The more rugged Passport is shorter in length, with two rows of seating for five, and is geared towards the outdoor adventurer.
Which SUV is better for families: the Pilot or the Passport?
The Honda Pilot is ideal for families because of its three rows of seating, 87 cubic feet of storage space behind the front row, CabinTalk PA system, and conversation mirror for talking to rear occupants. The Passport is geared more toward outdoor enthusiasts and lacks some of the family-oriented features, such as CabinTalk, found in the Pilot SUV. Experience both SUVs with a test drive at Pecheles Honda.
Does the Honda Passport offer better off-road capability than the Pilot?
Yes, the Honda Passport has better off-road capability than the Honda Pilot. For starters, it's shorter in length, making it more maneuverable. It has an extra inch of standard ground clearance and many trail-ready available features, like underbody skid plates, an off-road-tuned suspension, a Multi-View Camera System, all-terrain tires, LED fog lights, and much more.
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1Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
2Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.
3Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2025/honda/pilot
4Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2025/honda/passport
