Head-to-head
2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Mazda CX-90
The Honda Pilot edges it, 94.9 to 89.6, on tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Mazda CX-90 is ahead on price and safety.
A
2026 Honda Pilot
The 2026 Honda Pilot is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pilot FWD, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg c…
vs
A2026 Mazda CX-90
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and hybrid large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-90 4WD, is…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Honda Pilot
Slight edgeThe Honda Pilot edges it, 94.9 to 89.6, on tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Mazda CX-90 is ahead on price and safety.
Tech & comfort 2026 Honda Pilot leads by 43.1
Price 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads by 7.3
Space & cargo 2026 Honda Pilot leads by 11.2
| Category · weight | 2026 Honda Pilotoverall 94.9 | 2026 Mazda CX-90overall 89.6 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 92.7 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 94.9 | 97.9 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 91 | 94.6 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 88.8 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 94.7 | 96.1 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 56.9 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 94.9 | 89.6 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Honda Pilot: base trim Sport FWD · Mazda CX-90: base trim 3.3 Turbo Select AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Honda Pilot wins
- It lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 21.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (51 points against 29 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It holds 48.5 cu ft behind the second row against 40.
Where the 2026 Mazda CX-90 answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (15 against 29 filed with NHTSA).
- It is rated 26 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 8 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
53 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $42,395 | $39,300 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 3,471 cc | 3,283 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | V6 | e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged |
| Fuel injection system | Fuel Injection | Electrically Controlled Fuel Injection |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 19 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 27 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.167 | 3.692 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | manual |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 8 in |
| Overall height | 71 in | 68.3 in |
| Overall length | 200 in | 201 in |
| Overall width | 78.5 in | 78.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | 123 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 87 cu-ft | 74.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.5 cu-ft | 40 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 18.6 cu-ft | 14.9 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 158 cu-ft | 142 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.5 in | 39.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in | 39.3 in |
| Third-row headroom | 39.3 in | 36.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41 in | 41.7 in |
| Second-row legroom | 40.8 in | 39.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | 32.5 in | 30.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,336 lbs | 4,846 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,336 lbs | 4,846 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 6,854 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson Strut | Double-Wishbone |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion | Rack and Pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 37.8 ft | 38.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 351 mm | 328 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electronic | Electric parking brake |
| Rear brake diameter | 330 mm | 350 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | ventilated disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 20 in | 19 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 8.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 255/50 R20 | 265/55 R19 M+S |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.5 gal | 18.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | HondaLink | Mazda Connected Services |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 61.9 in | 59.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 61.7 in | 58.1 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 59.5 in | 53.3 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
181 features · differences first, then sharedSafety34 differ · 46 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | std | — |
| Advanced Front Airbags | std | — |
| Rear View Monitor (dynamic guide lines) | std | — |
| SmartVent® Front Side Airbags | std | — |
| Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | std | — |
| Driver Attention Monitor | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | — | std |
| 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions | std | — |
| Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure | std | — |
| Auto-hold Function | — | std |
| Blind Spot Information System (BSI) | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning | — | std |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| Child-Proof Rear Door Locks | std | — |
| Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | std |
| Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake | std | — |
| Front & Mid Row Outer 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System | std | — |
| Front Knee Airbags | std | — |
| LATCH system - rear seat (2nd row) child safety seat lower anchors & upper tethers | — | std |
| LATCH system - rear seat (3rd row) child safety anchor top upper tethers | — | std |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row Passenger-Side), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row All) | std | — |
| Post-Collision Braking System | std | — |
| Rear View Monitor (static guide lines) | — | std |
| Rearview Camera Washer | std | — |
| Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) | std | — |
| Roll Stability Control | — | std |
| Seat Belt Reminder for all Seating Positions | std | — |
| Smart Brake Support (Automatic Emergency Braking) | — | std |
| Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | std | — |
| Traffic Jam Assist | std | — |
| Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist and Location and Pressure Indicators | std | — |
| Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go | std | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | std |
| Lane Departure Warning System | std | std |
| Lane-keep Assist | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) w/ Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) | std | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | std |
| High Beam Control (HBC) | std | std |
| Hill Descent Control | std | std |
| Hill Launch Assist | std | std |
| Rear Seat Alert | std | std |
| Engine immobilizer anti-theft system | std | std |
Infotainment23 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi® Hotspot Capability | std | — |
| 10.2-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster | std | — |
| 10.25" Full Color Center Display | — | std |
| 12.3-Inch Color Touchscreen | std | — |
| 245-Watt Audio System with 9 Speakers, including Subwoofer | std | — |
| 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - 2nd Row (2 Ports) | std | — |
| 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - Front Console (1 Port) | std | — |
| 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Smartphone / Audio Interface - Front Console (1 Port) | std | — |
| 8-speaker sound system | — | std |
| Alexa Built-In | — | std |
| Android Auto™ integration (wired) | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay™ integration (wired) | — | std |
| CabinTalk® In-Car PA System | std | — |
| Google built-in (includes 3-Years Unlimited Data Plan for In-Vehicle Apps) | std | — |
| HD Radio™ | std | — |
| HondaLink® | std | — |
| HondaLink® Subscription Services | std | — |
| Mazda Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi powered by AT&T | — | std |
| Radio Data System (RDS) | std | — |
| Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation (SVC) | std | — |
| USB Inputs - Center Console Type C x 4 (Front x 2 and Rear x 2) | — | std |
| Wireless Android Auto™ Compatibility | std | — |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® Compatibility | std | — |
| Paddle Shifters | std | std |
Convenience10 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Key Fob Activated Remote Engine Start | std | — |
| 12-Volt Power Outlet (Front) | std | — |
| Capless Fuel Filler | std | — |
| One-Touch Turn Indicators | std | — |
| Power Door and Tailgate Locks | std | — |
| Power Lift Tailgate | std | — |
| Power Rear Liftgate with programmable height adjustment | — | std |
| Programmable Remote Entry | std | — |
| Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock® (Front Door and Tailgate) | std | — |
| 12V power outlet | — | std |
| Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System | std | std |
| Power Windows with one-touch auto up/down feature (4) | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Row AC vents | — | std |
| Rear-Seat Heater Ducts | std | — |
| Air conditioning - automatic climate control operation with three zones | std | std |
Seating16 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-row bench seats with 60/40 split fold-down reclining | — | std |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support and 2-position memory | — | std |
| Heated front seats with 3 level adjustments | std | — |
| 3rd row seats - 3 seats (60/40 split fold-down) | — | std |
| 4-way manual front passenger seat | — | std |
| 40 / 20 / 40 Split, Flat-Folding 2nd-Row Seats | std | — |
| 60/40 Split, Flat-Folding 3rd-Row Bench Seat | std | — |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support (without memory) | — | std |
| Adjustable Seat-Belt Anchors (Front Row) | std | — |
| Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including 2-Way Power Lumbar Support | std | — |
| Front Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment | std | — |
| Head Restraints at all Seating Positions | std | — |
| Max Seating Capacity | — | std |
| On-Demand In-Trunk Seat Storage | std | — |
| One-Touch Flat-Folding 2nd-Row Seats | std | — |
| Seat Material - Leatherette | — | std |
Interior19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 7-inch TFT LCD meter display | — | std |
| Beverage Holders (Front Row-4 / 2nd-Row-6 / 3rd-Row-4) | std | — |
| Cargo Area Light (LED) | std | — |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Seatback Pockets | std | — |
| Floor Mats | std | — |
| Garment Hooks (2nd row, 2 total) | std | — |
| Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls | std | — |
| Interior Ambient LED Lighting | std | — |
| Interior Mid Panel - Hard Black | — | std |
| Lockable Glove Compartment | std | — |
| Multi-Functional Center Console Storage | std | — |
| Sliding Sunvisors | std | — |
| Sunglasses Holder | std | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column | std | — |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | — | std |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors w/ illumination | — | std |
| Floor mats - carpeted front, 2nd-row and 3rd-row | — | std |
| Storage - overhead console with sunglasses holder | — | std |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B | — | std |
| Steering wheel - leather-wrapped w/ bright ring decoration | std | std |
Exterior32 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 19X8.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | — | std |
| 265/55 R19 tires w/ Alloy - Silver | — | std |
| Acoustic Laminate Windshield | std | — |
| Active Shutter Grille | std | — |
| Badging - AWD | — | std |
| Badging - Inline6 - Chrome | — | std |
| Compact Spare Tire | std | — |
| Dual Gloss Black Exhaust Finishers | std | — |
| Fin-Type Roof-Mounted Antenna | std | — |
| Front Grill Mesh - Honeycomb - with Black Finish | — | std |
| Gloss Black Roof Rails | std | — |
| Headlights - LED with Auto-Leveling | — | std |
| Intermittent Rear Window Wiper/Washer | std | — |
| LED Brake and Taillights | std | — |
| LED Fog Lights | std | — |
| LED Headlights with Auto-On / Off | std | — |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Power Side Mirrors | std | — |
| Push-to-Release Fuel Filler Door | std | — |
| Rear Privacy Glass | std | — |
| Rear window defogger with timer | — | std |
| Roof Rails - aluminum with satin chrome finish | — | std |
| Security System | std | — |
| Side mirrors - driver and passenger heated | — | std |
| Signature Wing - Chrome | — | std |
| Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers | std | — |
| Wheel arch Molding - Black | — | std |
| Windshield Wipers - Rain-Sensing, Variable-Intermittent | — | std |
| Privacy glass - rear side windows and rear liftgate glass | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster with Timer | std | — |
| Rear Roof Spoiler - Body Color | — | std |
| Spare Tire Type - Temporary | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lamp | std | std |
Powertrain16 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive | opt | std |
| Front-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Integrated Drive Modes | std | — |
| 10-Speed Automatic Transmission (10AT) with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) and Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| Active Control Engine Mount System (ACM) | std | — |
| Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) | std | — |
| e-SKYACTIV® G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged engine | — | std |
| Eco Assist™ System | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) | — | std |
| Idle-Stop | std | — |
| Integrated Drive Modes | std | — |
| M Hybrid Boost (48V Mild Hybrid) | — | std |
| Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive): Sports/Off Road | — | std |
| Off-Road Traction Assist | — | std |
| Transmission, SKYACTIV®-Drive 8-Speed AT with manual-shift mode | — | std |
| Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) | std | — |
Chassis7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS) | std | — |
| Front Double Wishbone Suspension | — | std |
| Independent rear multi-link suspension with stabilizer bar | — | std |
| Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) | — | std |
| MacPherson Strut Front Suspension | std | — |
| Multi-Link Rear Suspension | std | — |
| Unit-Body Construction | std | — |
Cargo4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Area Bag Hooks | std | — |
| Cargo Area Tie-Down Anchors (4 Total) | std | — |
| Storage - cargo area storage boxes and under floor storage | — | std |
| Towing Capacity up to 3,500 lbs. | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPHonda Pilot
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 29 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Steering (15), Unspecified (7), Seat Belts (5)
Top recalls
- high Suspension 26V424000 · 3,933 vehicles
Mazda CX-90
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 15 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (9), Unspecified (3), Steering (3)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Honda PilotSport FWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $42,395 (base trim) | $39,300 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $42,395 – $55,195 8 trims | $39,300 – $58,700 9 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | PHEV, HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Pilot FWD | CX-90 4WD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 26 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,050 | $3,150 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
The Honda Pilot edges it, 94.9 to 89.6, on tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Mazda CX-90 is ahead on price and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Honda Pilot scores 94.9 and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 89.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 starts lower — $39,300 against $42,395, a gap of $3,095 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
2026 Honda Pilot: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2026 Mazda CX-90: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
Where the 2026 Honda Pilot wins: it lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 21, lists more comfort and tech equipment (51 points against 29 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and holds 48.5 cu ft behind the second row against 40. Where the 2026 Mazda CX-90 answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (15 against 29 filed with NHTSA) and is rated 26 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 8 seats.