Honda Passport vs Pilot: Which SUV Reigns Supreme?
Discover the Ultimate Honda SUV for Your Needs
Choosing between the 2024 Honda Passport and the 2024 Honda Pilot can be challenging, especially given their distinct features and capabilities. Both models exemplify Honda’s commitment to quality, performance, and innovation. In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore everything you need to know about these two SUVs to help you make an informed decision.
Introduction
The Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot are two of Honda’s most popular SUVs, each catering to different needs and preferences. Whether you need ample seating for a large family or a rugged, off-road capable vehicle, this comparison will highlight the strengths and differences of each model to help you choose the perfect SUV for your lifestyle.
Overview of Honda Passport vs Pilot
Honda Passport:
- Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
- Cargo Space: 50.5 cu. ft. behind the second row
- Fuel Economy: 19/24 mpg (city/highway)
- Price: Starting at $42,445
Honda Pilot:
- Seating Capacity: Up to 8 passengers
- Cargo Space: 55.9 cu. ft. behind the second row
- Fuel Economy: 19/27 mpg (city/highway)
- Price: Starting at $37,295
Exterior and Interior Design
Honda Passport
The Honda Passport is designed for adventurers. Its rugged exterior, shorter wheelbase, and higher ground clearance make it ideal for off-road excursions. Inside, the Passport offers a spacious cabin with comfortable seating for five. The quality of materials and the intuitive layout of the dashboard contribute to a pleasant driving experience.
Honda Pilot
In contrast, the Honda Pilot is built with families in mind. It boasts a larger, more spacious interior that comfortably accommodates up to eight passengers across three rows. The Pilot’s design emphasizes practicality and comfort, with ample legroom and headroom in all seating areas. Its exterior design is more refined and suitable for urban environments as well as family road trips.
Performance and Handling
Engine and Power
The Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot have a 3.5L V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower, providing robust performance for various driving conditions.
- Honda Passport: The Passport excels in off-road capabilities thanks to its higher ground clearance and shorter wheelbase, which provide better maneuverability on rugged terrain. It also features a slightly better steering response, making it agile and responsive.
- Honda Pilot: The Pilot offers a smoother ride with superior powertrain refinement. It’s designed for comfort and stability, making it an excellent choice for long-distance travel and daily commuting. Its larger size and longer wheelbase create a more planted and stable driving experience.
Fuel Economy and Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a critical factor for many SUV buyers. Despite being the larger vehicle, the Honda Pilot surprisingly offers better fuel economy in its front-wheel-drive version, achieving up to 19/27 mpg city/highway. The Passport, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, has a fuel economy of 19/24 mpg city/highway.
Cargo and Storage
Honda Passport
The Passport provides 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which can expand significantly when the rear seats are folded down. This makes it an excellent choice for those needing substantial cargo capacity without needing a third row of seats.
Honda Pilot
The Pilot, with its three-row seating configuration, offers 55.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and even more when the third row is folded. This additional space is a significant advantage for larger families or those who frequently carry a lot of gear.
Safety Features
Both the Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot come equipped with the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, which include:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
- Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
The Passport and Pilot also feature standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert on all but the base trims, ensuring high safety standards across both models.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Honda Passport
The Passport has an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It includes a seven-speaker audio system and multiple USB ports for connectivity.
Honda Pilot
The Pilot offers a more advanced infotainment system with a 7.0-inch display in the base models, expanding to a 9.0-inch touchscreen in higher trims. It also features a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster in top-tier models. The Pilot’s infotainment system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it offers an optional 12-speaker Bose audio system for premium sound quality.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Passport and the Pilot offer a TrailSport trim for enhanced off-road capabilities. However, the Pilot’s TrailSport trim includes more comprehensive off-road enhancements such as a raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and skid plates, making it better suited for serious off-road adventures.
Price and Value
Regarding pricing, the Honda Pilot starts at a lower base price of $37,295, compared to the Passport’s starting price of $42,445. Despite the larger size and more features, the Pilot offers better value for families needing extra space and seating capacity.
Conclusion: Which SUV Should You Choose?
The choice between the Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
- Choose the Honda Passport if:
- It would help if you had a mid-size SUV with excellent off-road capabilities.
- You prefer a more compact SUV with ample cargo space for five passengers.
- You value a rugged design and agile handling.
- Choose the Honda Pilot if:
- It would help to have a more extensive SUV seating up to eight passengers.
- You prioritize a smooth, comfortable ride with advanced infotainment and safety features.
- You need more cargo space and family-friendly features.
The Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot are excellent choices within their respective categories. They offer a blend of performance, comfort, and reliability, making them stand out in the crowded SUV market. Whether you opt for the rugged and adventurous Passport or the spacious and versatile Pilot, you’ll drive a vehicle that embodies Honda’s commitment to quality and innovation.
