Should you drive the Honda Pilot or Honda Passport? The size of your family could be a deciding factor, but other considerations might also take precedence.
Honda has built enjoyable, drivable, and useful SUVs for decades. The Pilot is several generations into its production run, while the Passport is much newer and only hit the market a few years ago. Despite strong similarities, these Honda SUVs have some significant differences that you should be aware of when shopping for the right SUV.
Should you drive the Honda Pilot or Passport? Let’s explore.
The same powertrain
Honda leans hard into the use of a single powertrain, which is present in the Pilot, Passport, and Ridgeline. This powertrain consists of a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission in the Pilot and a 9-speed automatic for the Passport. The engine produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, giving these vehicles enough power to handle the drive with relative efficiency. It is set up with either FWD or AWD to give you the desired driving layout and is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, giving these Honda SUVs the desired capability for most driving situations.
The slight differences in the powertrain allow the Pilot to feel more refined on the road. That said, the shorter wheelbase and build of the Passport allow it to steer better than the larger sibling.
The greatest difference
Although the Honda Pilot and Passport share a platform, there is a significant difference in terms of seating and size between these two SUVs. The Pilot has three rows and is one of the most comfortable midsize three-row SUVs available. In fact, it earns high marks for the spaciousness of the third row seating area, which is larger than the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander.
The Honda Passport only has two rows of seats, which means you can only fit five people inside this SUV at any time. There’s a lot more space behind the second row than in other similar SUVs, giving you 41.2 cubic feet of cargo room, which is more than the Ford Edge and Toyota Venza.
On a side note, if you fold down the third row of the Pilot, you’ll have 48.5 cubic feet of space, which could put the Pilot ahead in this comparison.
Are these Honda SUVs safe?
Of course, the Honda SUVs are safe, but do they have modern safety packages? Both SUVs come with the Honda Safety Sense package of features to provide you with a comprehensive list of items that will keep you out of trouble on the road. In these Honda SUVs, you’ll have the benefits of automatic emergency braking, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. All but the lowest trims also have blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Which SUV is more comfortable?
The Honda Passport and Pilot both have comfortable seats to ensure all-day driving comfort, but the Pilot is much more versatile. You can seat up to eight people across three rows in the Pilot and enjoy the option of second-row captain’s chairs, which improve comfort and versatility. This makes it easier to have the desired configuration when it’s time to get behind the wheel and go for a drive.
Does one have a better interior?
The Passport leans toward functionality with comfortable and enjoyable interior features, but when it comes to a higher-quality cabin, the Pilot is the clear winner. The well-crafted cabin featuring high-quality cabin materials makes it easy to enjoy the ride in the Pilot. There’s nothing wrong with the Passport’s cabin; the Pilot simply has a better look and improved finishes compared to the Passport. The Pilot also has better sound insulation, giving you a quiet cabin when you head out on the highway.
Which Honda SUV drives better?
Driving manners is a subjective quality. If you want a smooth, composed ride with predictable handling that can keep your family comfortable on every road, the Honda Pilot is ahead of the Passport. The Pilot is an excellent choice for family driving.
On the other hand, if you want an SUV that is sportier, more fun, and packed with the comfort and stability to handle some more spirited driving, the Passport is the better choice. The shorter wheelbase makes the Passport more athletic.
If you want the right Honda SUV for family experiences, the Honda Pilot outshines the Honda Passport. Still, when you only need room for five and want the more engaging vehicle to drive, the Passport is hard to beat.
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