Honda Passport vs. Pilot: Which Honda SUV Is Right for You?

Cross-shopping the Honda Passport and Pilot at Napleton Honda of Morton Grove? The two share the same engine and a lot of the same DNA, but they’re built for different jobs. Here’s how the Passport and Pilot compare, so you can decide which one fits your family.

Seating: The Biggest Difference

The Honda Passport is a two-row SUV built for up to five passengers. The Honda Pilot adds a third row, seating up to seven on the off-road-tuned TrailSport trim or eight on every other trim. If you regularly carry more than five people, that alone settles the decision in the Pilot’s favor.

Engine & Drivetrain

Both the 2026 Passport and Pilot share the same 3.5-liter V6, making 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque with a 10-speed automatic. Where they differ is drivetrain: the Passport comes with all-wheel drive standard on every trim, while the Pilot offers front-wheel drive standard on its Sport and EX-L trims (with AWD available), and all-wheel drive standard on TrailSport, Touring, Touring Blackout, Elite, and Black Edition.

Towing & Fuel Economy

The 2026 Passport tows up to 5,000 pounds across its entire AWD-only lineup and is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. The 2026 Pilot tows up to 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive or 5,000 pounds with AWD, and gets up to 22 mpg combined on the FWD Sport and EX-L trims, dropping to 21 mpg combined on most AWD trims and 20 mpg combined on the AWD-only TrailSport.

Cargo Space

As the larger of the two, the Pilot offers more max cargo space — up to roughly 112 cubic feet with every row folded, depending on trim — compared to the Passport’s 104.6 cubic feet max with its second row folded. The Passport still holds its own for a two-row SUV, with 83.8 cubic feet of standard cargo room behind the front row.

Trims & Pricing

The 2026 Passport is offered in seven trims, all AWD, starting at RTL ($44,950) and topping out around TrailSport Elite Blackout. The 2026 Pilot is also offered in seven trims, starting at Sport ($42,395) and topping out at Black Edition ($55,195) — a wider spread from value-focused to luxury-focused. Despite being the smaller vehicle, the Passport starts about $2,555 higher than the Pilot, reflecting its standard AWD and off-road-leaning lineup. All prices are MSRP and don’t include destination and delivery. The team at Napleton Honda of Morton Grove can confirm current pricing and incentives on both.

Which Honda SUV Is Right for You?

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