Honda Passport vs Pilot: Which SUV Fits Your Needs?
Choosing the right SUV can be challenging, especially when deciding between two popular models like the Honda Passport and the Honda Pilot. Both vehicles offer distinct features and advantages, making them suitable for different types of drivers. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into various aspects of these two SUVs to help you make an informed decision.
Overview of Honda Passport and Honda Pilot
The 2024 Honda Passport and 2024 Honda Pilot are both midsize SUVs, but they cater to different needs. The Passport is designed for those who enjoy off-road adventures and need a rugged vehicle, while the Pilot is perfect for larger families requiring more passenger space and comfort.
Design and Exterior
Honda Passport Design
The Honda Passport boasts a robust and athletic design, ideal for off-road enthusiasts. It features a shorter wheelbase (111 inches) compared to the Pilot, making it more maneuverable on rough terrains. The Passport stands out with its bold grille and high ground clearance, which enhances its off-road capabilities.
Honda Pilot Design
The Honda Pilot, with a wheelbase of 114 inches, is longer and provides more interior space. Its design is more refined, suitable for family use. The Pilot’s exterior is sleek and modern, with subtle chrome accents and a slightly lower ground clearance, emphasizing comfort and stability on paved roads​.
Interior and Comfort
Honda Passport Interior
The Passport offers seating for up to five passengers, providing ample space and comfort for all. The interior is equipped with high-quality materials and advanced features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system.
Honda Pilot Interior
The Pilot can accommodate up to eight passengers, making it ideal for larger families. It features a spacious interior with a third row of seats. The interior is designed with comfort in mind, offering leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a rear-seat entertainment system​.
Performance and Handling
Honda Passport Performance
The Passport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It comes with an all-wheel-drive option, enhancing its performance on rugged terrains. The Passport also features a nine-speed automatic transmission for smooth gear shifts.
Honda Pilot Performance
The Pilot shares the same 3.5-liter V6 engine but offers slightly different tuning to prioritize smooth and quiet operation. It also comes with an all-wheel-drive option and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot’s suspension system is designed to provide a comfortable ride on highways and city roads​.
Technology and Infotainment
Honda Passport Technology
The Passport is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple USB ports for convenience.
Honda Pilot Technology
The Pilot offers a similar 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system but adds more advanced features like a rear entertainment system, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity​.
Safety Features
Honda Passport Safety
Safety is a priority for the Passport, which comes standard with Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, and road departure mitigation.
Honda Pilot Safety
The Pilot also includes the Honda Sensing® suite as standard. In addition to the features offered in the Passport, the Pilot provides additional safety options such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors​ ​.
Cargo and Utility
Honda Passport Cargo Space
The Passport offers ample cargo space with 50.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 100.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes it a versatile option for those needing substantial storage for outdoor gear, luggage, or other bulky items. Additionally, the Passport includes convenient features such as a hands-free power liftgate and underfloor storage compartments, enhancing its practicality for everyday use and adventure trips​.
Honda Pilot Cargo Space
The Pilot provides a slightly smaller cargo space with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down. Despite having less cargo space compared to the Passport, the Pilot offers numerous storage solutions throughout the cabin and a power liftgate for added convenience. The Pilot’s versatile seating configurations make it easy to balance passenger and cargo needs, which is especially beneficial for larger families​ ​.
Fuel Economy
Honda Passport Fuel Efficiency
The Passport delivers respectable fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive variant sees a slight drop in fuel efficiency but remains competitive, offering 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. This makes the Passport an efficient option for both city driving and longer road trips​.
Honda Pilot Fuel Efficiency
The Pilot’s fuel economy is comparable to the Passport’s, offering 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive version experiences a minor reduction in fuel efficiency, providing 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. This efficiency, combined with its larger passenger capacity, makes the Pilot a strong contender for family-oriented buyers​.
Pricing and Value
Honda Passport Pricing
The 2024 Honda Passport starts at an MSRP of $41,900, with higher trims like the Black Edition and TrailSport pushing the price further up. The Passport offers great value for those seeking a rugged, off-road-capable SUV without compromising on comfort and modern features​​.
Honda Pilot Pricing
The 2024 Honda Pilot has a lower starting MSRP of $37,090. Despite the lower base price, the Pilot’s higher trims can match or exceed the Passport’s price, especially with added features and options. The Pilot provides excellent value for larger families needing more passenger space and advanced safety features​​.
Off-Road Capabilities
Honda Passport Off-Road Performance
The Passport is designed for off-road adventures, featuring a higher ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive in higher trims, and an intelligent traction management system that enhances its off-road capabilities. The TrailSport trim, in particular, is equipped with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and other off-road enhancements that make it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts​.
Honda Pilot Off-Road Performance
While the Pilot is more family-oriented, it still offers decent off-road performance with the TrailSport trim. This variant includes off-road-oriented features like all-terrain tires and additional skid plates. However, it is not as rugged as the Passport, making it more suitable for light off-roading rather than serious adventures​.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
Honda Passport Customer Feedback
The Passport generally receives positive feedback for its robust performance, spacious interior, and off-road capabilities. However, some customers note that it could offer more advanced technology features and a smoother ride. The rugged design and functionality are often highlighted as significant advantages for those who frequently venture off the beaten path.
Honda Pilot Customer Feedback
The Pilot is praised for its family-friendly design, spacious interior, and smooth ride. Some customers mention that the third-row seating is a bit cramped, and the infotainment system could be more user-friendly. Overall, the Pilot is well-regarded for its versatility, safety features, and comfort, making it a preferred choice for families​​.
Maintenance and Reliability
Honda Passport Reliability
The Passport is known for its reliability, with low maintenance costs and high durability. It often receives high ratings in reliability surveys, reflecting its build quality and Honda’s reputation for producing dependable vehicles. Regular maintenance is straightforward, and the Passport’s robust design ensures it can handle tough conditions without frequent issues​.
Honda Pilot Reliability
The Pilot also enjoys a reputation for reliability and is often praised for its longevity and low maintenance costs. Regular maintenance and service intervals are designed to keep the Pilot running smoothly for many years, making it a solid investment for families looking for a dependable and long-lasting vehicle​​.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, both the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot offer excellent options depending on your needs. The Passport is ideal for those who prioritize off-road capabilities and a rugged design, while the Pilot is better suited for larger families needing more passenger space and comfort. Both SUVs come with a range of features, reliable performance, and strong safety ratings, ensuring that whichever model you choose, you’re getting a high-quality vehicle.
