With the rise in popularity of SUVs, Honda has become a major player in the segment with its lineup of capable and versatile vehicles. Two of the brand’s most popular offerings in the midsize SUV category are the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot. Both vehicles offer spacious interiors, advanced safety features, and impressive performance capabilities. In this article, we will compare the Honda Passport versus the Honda Pilot to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
Exterior Design
The Honda Passport and Honda Pilot share many design elements, including a bold front grille, sleek headlights, and a rugged stance. However, there are some key differences in their exterior styling. The Passport is slightly smaller and more compact than the Pilot, giving it a sportier and more aggressive look. The Passport features 20-inch wheels, black trim accents, and a raised ride height, giving it a more off-road-ready appearance.
On the other hand, the Honda Pilot is larger and more family-friendly, with a more traditional SUV design. The Pilot features 18-inch wheels, chrome trim accents, and a longer wheelbase, giving it a more mature and refined look. Both vehicles are available in a range of color options, including modern metallic finishes and classic solid colors.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Both the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot offer spacious and comfortable interiors, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Passport seats five passengers, while the Pilot can seat up to eight passengers with an available third-row seat. The Passport offers slightly less legroom and headroom in the second row compared to the Pilot, but both vehicles provide a comfortable and quiet ride.
In terms of technology, both vehicles come equipped with a range of standard and available features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera. The Passport offers a more rugged and utilitarian interior design, with durable materials and easy-to-clean surfaces, while the Pilot features a more upscale and luxurious cabin with premium materials and refined finishes.
Performance and Handling
When it comes to performance, both the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot offer capable and efficient powertrains. The Passport comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the Pilot offers the same engine with slightly lower output at 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles come with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission and the option of all-wheel drive for enhanced traction and stability.
In terms of handling, the Passport has a more athletic and sporty feel, with responsive steering and a firmer suspension setup that provides a more engaging driving experience. The Pilot, on the other hand, is more comfortable and composed on the road, with a softer suspension that absorbs bumps and imperfections with ease. Both vehicles offer a smooth and refined ride, with minimal noise and vibration in the cabin.
Safety Features
One of the key advantages of choosing a Honda vehicle is the brand’s commitment to safety. Both the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot come equipped with a range of advanced safety features as standard, including Honda Sensing, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Passport and Pilot also come with a range of available safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a multi-angle rearview camera.
In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), both the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot have received excellent scores, with top ratings in all categories. Both vehicles offer a high level of protection for passengers in the event of a collision, thanks to their advanced safety systems and robust construction.
Price and Value
When it comes to price, the Honda Passport is slightly more affordable than the Honda Pilot, with a starting MSRP of around $32,000 compared to the Pilot’s starting MSRP of around $34,000. Both vehicles offer good value for money, with a range of standard and available features that make them competitive in the midsize SUV segment. The Passport is a great option for buyers who want a more compact and agile SUV, while the Pilot is ideal for larger families who need additional seating capacity.
Overall, both the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot are excellent choices in the midsize SUV category, offering a winning combination of style, performance, technology, and safety. The Passport is a sporty and versatile SUV with a focus on off-road capability, while the Pilot is a spacious and family-friendly SUV with seating for up to eight passengers. Whichever model you choose, you can’t go wrong with a Honda SUV.
