Honda Pilot vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Pilot: 24 comparisons against 18 rivals across the 2016–2026 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
By rival
18 rivals · verdicts at default weightsJeep Grand CherokeePilot leads 2–0
Toyota HighlanderHighlander leads 2–0
Ford ExplorerPilot leads 1–0
Kia TellurideTelluride leads 1–0
Mazda CX-90Pilot leads 1–0
Toyota 4Runnerlevel 1–1
Toyota SequoiaSequoia leads 2–0
Toyota Grand Highlanderlevel 1–1
Nissan PathfinderPathfinder leads 1–0
Chevrolet TahoePilot leads 1–0
Kia EV9EV9 leads 1–0
Ford ExpeditionPilot leads 1–0
Jeep WagoneerWagoneer leads 1–0
Clear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the Pilot wins and loses
24 scored head-to-headsThe Pilot leads on tech & comfort in 6 of 6, space & cargo in 6 of 9, performance in 9 of 16; it trails on price in 3 of 3, fuel & range in 15 of 24, safety in 13 of 24. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the Pilot scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | Pilot leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 0 of 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel & range | 5 of 24 | 15 | 4 |
| Safety | 11 of 24 | 13 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 6 of 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Performance | 9 of 16 | 7 | 0 |
| Tech & comfort | 6 of 6 | 0 | 0 |
Common questions about the Honda Pilot head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Honda Pilot wins clearly, 97.7 to 58.9, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is ahead on fuel & range and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Honda Pilot comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 91.4 to 84, on fuel & range, safety. The Honda Pilot is ahead on performance and space & cargo. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 4.4 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Highlander comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Toyota Highlander). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Honda Pilot or the Ford Explorer?
The Honda Pilot wins clearly, 96.2 to 74.3, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Honda Pilot comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Ford Explorer). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Honda Pilot or the Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride wins clearly, 94.9 to 87.9, on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Telluride comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Kia Telluride). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Honda Pilot or the Hyundai Palisade?
Too close to call: Hyundai Palisade 93.8 vs Honda Pilot 91.9 with these weights. The Honda Pilot is ahead on safety and tech & comfort. Too close to call at default weights: the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is nominally ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Honda Pilot). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the Honda Pilot win and lose against its rivals?
The Pilot leads on tech & comfort in 6 of 6, space & cargo in 6 of 9, performance in 9 of 16; it trails on price in 3 of 3, fuel & range in 15 of 24, safety in 13 of 24. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.