Choosing between the Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot? Both are easy to cross-shop because they share a similar Honda SUV foundation. The real decision is not which one is “better” on paper. It’s whether you need the Pilot’s three-row flexibility or the Passport’s simpler two-row SUV setup.
On This Page
Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot: Should You Buy the Passport or the Pilot?
Buy the 2026 Honda Pilot if you need a true family SUV with three rows. It is the better choice if you regularly carry more than five people, need extra seating flexibility, or want the peace of mind of having a third row, even if you only use it occasionally.
Buy the 2026 Honda Passport if you want a two-row SUV and do not want to pay attention to a third row you will rarely use. The Passport is better for shoppers who want a spacious five-seat Honda SUV with a more rugged feel and a simpler daily-use layout.
Choose the 2026 Honda Pilot If
- You are worried you may regret giving up the third row later
- You need seating for seven or eight, depending on trim
- You carry more than five people often enough that a third row matters
- You want more total cargo flexibility for family trips, school gear, pets, or luggage
- You want the option of 2WD on some lower trims or AWD on others
Choose the 2026 Honda Passport If
- You are confident that five seats are enough
- You prefer a two-row SUV with a more rugged, adventure-oriented feel
- You want AWD positioning from the listed entry trims in this comparison
- You like the TrailSport direction but do not need the Pilot’s extra row
- You want a spacious rear seat and cargo area without moving up to a larger three-row SUV
The pricing decision can be closer than many shoppers expect. Some Passport and Pilot trims sit close in MSRP, so the smarter move is to compare the exact trim, drivetrain, features, and invoice pricing before choosing.
You can always check the full Honda lineup if neither the Passport nor the Pilot ends up being the right fit.
Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot: Third Row vs. Two-Row SUV
The most important difference between the Passport and the Pilot is not horsepower. It is not the transmission, either. Both models use a 3.5-liter V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The decision usually comes down to seating and how much flexibility you want from the vehicle.
The Pilot is a three-row SUV. Depending on trim, it seats seven or eight people, and that third row gives it a major advantage for families, carpools, road trips, and anyone who occasionally needs more than five seats. Even if the third row is not used every day, it can reduce remorse because the extra seating is there when life gets busier.
The Passport is a two-row SUV. It seats five, and its value lies in not trying to be a family hauler for eight. For many buyers, that is exactly the point. If you do not need a third row, the Passport offers a more straightforward layout with ample cargo space behind the second row and a more rugged SUV personality.
Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot: 2026 Specs Compared
The spec sheet shows why these two SUVs feel closely related. The Passport and Pilot both use a V6 engine with the same rated horsepower and torque. MPG, seating, cargo layout, towing configuration, and trim strategy are what separate them.
| Spec | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2026 Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $42,195 | $42,400 |
| Seating | 7 or 8, depending on trim | 5 |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 285 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | 2WD or AWD, depending on trim | AWD in listed Passport trims |
| EPA MPG | 19/27/22 for 2WD; 19/25/21 for most AWD; 18/23/20 for TrailSport AWD | 19/25/21 for RTL; 18/23/20 for TrailSport and TrailSport Elite |
| Max Towing | 3,500 lbs for 2WD; 5,000 lbs for AWD | 5,000 lbs |
| Max Cargo Behind First Row | Up to 113.7 cu ft | Up to 104.6 cu ft |
| Best For | Families, three-row flexibility, maximum people/cargo use | Two-row buyers, rugged style, five-seat SUV practicality |
MPG and towing can vary by trim and drivetrain. For example, the Pilot TrailSport AWD has a lower EPA rating than 2WD Pilot trims, while Passport TrailSport models are rated differently from the Passport RTL. Neither model is a fuel-economy-first SUV; both are V6 midsize SUVs built around space, strength, and versatility.
Seating, Cargo, and Everyday Practicality
For most shoppers, this section should decide the comparison before pricing even enters the conversation. The Passport and the Pilot may be mechanically similar, but they solve different daily problems.
The Pilot Is Better If People-Carrying Matters
The Pilot’s biggest advantage is its third row. If your household already has more than five people, or if you regularly carry extra people, the Pilot is the safer choice. It is also the better long-term bet if your needs may change over the next few years.
Even when the third row is folded, the Pilot’s interior layout gives you more flexibility. You can use it as a three-row SUV when needed and as a large cargo hauler when the seats are down. That flexibility is why the Pilot should be the default choice for buyers who are unsure whether five seats will be enough.
The Passport Is Better If Five Seats Are Enough
The Passport makes the most sense when you know you do not need a third row. Its two-row layout keeps the decision simple: five seats, strong cargo space, AWD positioning, and a more rugged personality than a typical family-first SUV.
It is not the best choice for a growing household that may need extra seating. But for buyers who want room for people, pets, gear, and weekend trips without moving into a larger three-row SUV, the Passport can feel like the cleaner fit.
Cargo Space: Pilot Has the Flexibility Advantage
The Pilot offers greater cargo flexibility because it has three rows that can be folded in various combinations. Its maximum cargo capacity reaches up to 113.7 cubic feet behind the first row, depending on trim. The Passport offers up to 104.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row and 44.0 cubic feet behind the second row.
That means the Passport is still very useful as a two-row SUV, but the Pilot gives you more total flexibility if you need to move both people and cargo.
Engine, AWD, Towing, and MPG
The Passport and Pilot are more similar here than many buyers expect. Both use the same engine and automatic transmission. That means the choice is not about one model being dramatically more powerful than the other.
AWD and Towing
The Passport is positioned around the AWD, reinforcing its rugged two-row SUV identity. The Pilot offers 2WD on some trims and AWD on others, giving buyers a wider range of price points and drivetrain options.
For towing, the Passport is rated at 5,000 pounds. The Pilot is rated at 3,500 pounds with 2WD and 5,000 pounds with AWD. If towing is central to your purchase, compare the exact trim and equipment before assuming the lower MSRP is the better deal.
MPG
Fuel economy is not a huge separator, but it still belongs in the decision. The Pilot gets up to 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG in 2WD form. Most Pilot AWD trims are rated at 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined, while the Pilot TrailSport AWD is rated at 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined.
The Passport is rated at 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG for RTL and 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG for TrailSport and TrailSport Elite. In practical terms, buyers choosing rugged TrailSport-style trims should expect slightly lower MPG than the most efficient versions of either SUV.
MSRP Comparison by Buyer Type
The Passport and Pilot are close enough in price that MSRP alone may not settle the decision. The better choice depends on whether you need the Pilot’s third row, prefer the Passport’s two-row AWD setup, or are comparing similar trims before asking a dealer for a quote.
The MSRP figures below are meant to help frame your shopping decision, not to replace a quote or an invoice price check for the exact trim you want.
| Buyer Type | Passport Option | Pilot Option | How to Think About It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest listed MSRP | EX-L / RTL AWD, $42,400 | Sport 2WD, $42,195 | The Pilot starts slightly lower, but the Passport gives you an AWD two-row setup from the listed entry point. |
| Entry AWD comparison | EX-L / RTL AWD, $42,400 | Sport AWD, $44,295 | If AWD matters, the Passport starts lower in this comparison. |
| Mid-range value | RTL Towing AWD, $45,650 | EX-L AWD, $46,595 | Close enough that invoice pricing could affect which one is the better deal. |
| Rugged / TrailSport | TrailSport AWD, $48,650 | TrailSport AWD, $50,395 | Passport is the more focused two-row rugged SUV; Pilot adds three-row flexibility. |
| Premium | TrailSport Elite AWD, $52,650 | Elite AWD, $53,495 | Very close; compare exact features and invoice pricing. |
| Top listed trim | TrailSport Elite Blackout AWD, $53,850 | Black Edition AWD, $54,995 | Both are premium feature/appearance choices, so the final decision should not be based on MSRP alone. |
This is where the comparison gets interesting. If you only look at the starting MSRP, the Pilot appears slightly lower. But if you want AWD, the Passport can look more compelling in the entry AWD comparison. If you are comparing mid-range, TrailSport, or premium trims, the two SUVs can be close enough that invoice pricing becomes a more useful next step.
MSRP Is Helpful, But Invoice Pricing Gives You the Better Comparison
MSRP is the sticker price starting point. It helps you compare the Passport and Pilot on paper, but it does not show the dealer invoice price or the room that may exist between MSRP and a real buying offer.
That matters because the Passport and Pilot can be close in price depending on the trims you are comparing. A buyer looking at a Passport TrailSport and a Pilot TrailSport should not make the final call based only on MSRP. The right question is: what is the invoice price for each exact trim, and how does that change the value comparison?
This is especially important if you are flexible. If you could be happy with either SUV, invoice pricing can help you decide which one gives you the stronger buying opportunity.
Which One Is Better for Different Buyers?
| Buyer Type | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family with three or more kids | Pilot | The third row gives you flexibility that the Passport cannot match. |
| Buyer who regularly carries more than five people | Pilot | The Passport seats five; the Pilot is the safer fit for people-carrying. |
| Buyer who almost never needs more than five seats | Passport | You avoid paying attention to a third row you may not use. |
| Outdoor / adventure-focused buyer | Passport | Its two-row layout and rugged positioning make more sense if seating is not the priority. |
| Buyer comparing TrailSport trims | Depends | Passport is more focused; Pilot adds a third row. Compare features and invoice pricing. |
| Buyer prioritizing maximum cargo flexibility | Pilot | The Pilot offers more total seating/cargo configurations. |
| Buyer who wants AWD at the lowest listed comparison point | Passport | The Passport’s listed entry AWD comparison undercuts the Pilot Sport AWD in the provided MSRP data. |
| Buyer choosing based on the deal | Depends | Get invoice pricing for both exact trims before deciding. |
Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot: Final Verdict
The Pilot is the better buy if the third row could matter at all. Even if you use it only occasionally, the extra seating gives the Pilot a practical advantage that the Passport cannot match. It is the better fit for families, frequent people-carrying needs, and buyers who want the most flexibility in one SUV.
The Passport is the better buy if you are confident that five seats are enough. It gives you a strong V6, AWD positioning, useful cargo space, and a more rugged two-row identity. It is not trying to be the family SUV with a third row, and that is exactly why some buyers will prefer it.
If the decision is close, do not stop at MSRP. Compare invoice pricing for the exact Passport and Pilot trims you are considering. When two SUVs are this close in purpose and price, invoice pricing can help you see which one makes more sense before you visit the dealer.
For a deeper look at trims, features, and driving impressions, read our full 2026 Honda Passport review or our full 2026 Honda Pilot review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot?
The main difference is seating and overall purpose. The Pilot is a three-row SUV with seating for seven or eight, depending on trim. The Passport is a two-row SUV with seating for five and a more rugged, adventure-focused personality.
Does the Honda Passport have a third row?
No. The 2026 Honda Passport is a two-row SUV with five seats. If you need a third row, the Honda Pilot is the better choice.
Is the Honda Pilot bigger than the Honda Passport?
Yes. The Pilot is the larger and more flexible SUV, especially because it has a third row and more total passenger volume. The Passport is still spacious, but it is designed as a five-seat SUV.
Do the Honda Passport and Honda Pilot have the same engine?
Both the 2026 Passport and 2026 Pilot use a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Which gets better MPG, the Passport or the Pilot?
The best Pilot 2WD MPG rating is higher than the Passport’s rating, but the difference narrows when you compare AWD and TrailSport-style trims. Pilot 2WD is rated at 19/27/22 MPG, most Pilot AWD trims are rated at 19/25/21 MPG, and Pilot TrailSport AWD is rated at 18/23/20 MPG. Passport RTL is rated at 19/25/21 MPG, while Passport TrailSport and TrailSport Elite are rated at 18/23/20 MPG.
Which is better for towing, the Passport or the Pilot?
The Passport is rated at 5,000 pounds. The Pilot is rated at 3,500 pounds with 2WD and 5,000 pounds with AWD. If towing matters, compare the exact trim and drivetrain before choosing.
Is the Passport cheaper than the Pilot?
Not always. In the MSRP data used for this comparison, the Pilot has the slightly lower lowest listed MSRP, while the Passport looks stronger in the entry AWD comparison. Because many trims are close, invoice pricing can be more useful than MSRP alone.
Should I compare the MSRP or the invoice price before buying?
Use MSRP as a starting point, but compare invoice pricing and multiple dealer quotes before making a final decision, especially on trims where the Passport and Pilot are close in price.
