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2026 Honda Pilot vs. Passport: Which SUV Should You Choose?

The 2026 Pilot adds a third row and costs less to start; the two-row Passport brings standard AWD and a trail-focused trim lineup. Compare their space, prices and published specifications.
Entry507 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team
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Choose the 2026 Honda Pilot if you need a third row, room for up to eight, or a lower starting MSRP. Choose the two-row 2026 Honda Passport if you do not need that extra row and want a more trail-focused trim lineup with standard all-wheel drive. Honda lists the Pilot at $42,395 to start and the Passport at $44,950; those are manufacturer starting MSRPs, not guaranteed transaction prices.

Honda Pilot vs. Passport at a glance

What matters most Better starting point Why
Third-row seating Pilot Honda lists seven- or eight-seat configurations depending on trim; Passport is a two-row SUV. Honda specifications
Lower starting MSRP Pilot Honda lists a $42,395 starting MSRP for Pilot and $44,950 for Passport. Charges and dealer pricing affect the amount paid. Pilot; Passport
Passenger and cargo flexibility Pilot It adds a third row and lists 18.6 cu. ft. behind that row and 48.5 cu. ft. behind the second row. Passport lists 44.0 cu. ft. behind its second row and about 83 cu. ft. behind the first. Row position matters when comparing these figures. Pilot specifications; Passport specifications
Published fuel economy Pilot, on Honda’s headline comparison figures Honda’s 2026 comparison lists 19/27 mpg city/highway for Pilot and 19/25 mpg for Passport. Check the exact trim and configuration. Honda comparison
Trail-oriented equipment Compare TrailSport trims Both offer TrailSport versions with off-road-oriented equipment; Passport TrailSport adds items such as recovery hooks and skid plates. Equipment descriptions are not independent off-road test results. Pilot; Passport
Towing Passport, based on the published figure Honda lists 5,000 lb for Passport. Verify the limit for the exact Pilot trim and configuration before comparing. Passport specifications

Does the Honda Pilot have a third row?

Yes. The 2026 Pilot is the choice here for shoppers who need three rows. Honda lists seating for eight on most trims and seven on TrailSport. The Passport has two seating rows, so it cannot provide the Pilot’s extra row when you need to carry more passengers.

That difference is more consequential than the similar overall size and shared SUV role: decide whether a third row is a regular requirement, an occasional convenience, or unnecessary. If you routinely carry more than five people, start with the Pilot. If you only need two rows, the Passport avoids paying for a seating arrangement you will not use.

How much cargo space does each have?

The Pilot’s published cargo figures are 18.6 cu. ft. behind the third row and 48.5 cu. ft. behind the second row. The Passport lists 44.0 cu. ft. behind its second row and about 83 cu. ft. behind the first row. These are not like-for-like numbers: the Pilot figures include space with more rows in use, while the Passport figures reflect a two-row cabin. Compare the measurements that match how you will load the vehicle.

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#1 Best Overall
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JLQP Center Console Storage Tray for 2023-2026 Honda Pilot & 2026 Passport
  • Applicable Vehicle Models: The center console organizer tray fit for 2023 2024 2025 2026 Pilot ( Including : LX, Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, Black Edition ) and 2026 Passport. (NOTE: NOT FIT 2023-2025 Passport and 2017-2025 Ridgeline!!!)
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The Pilot is more flexible when people and luggage need to travel together because its third row can be occupied or folded. The Passport gives a two-row cargo area and a published maximum of about 83 cu. ft. with the first row in use and the rear seating folded. Trim-specific configurations can affect maximum volume, so check the specification for the exact vehicle.

What do the 2026 Pilot and Passport cost?

Honda lists seven trims for each model. The following are manufacturer starting MSRPs; Honda notes that taxes, title and registration, destination, accessories, dealer pricing, and premium paint can affect the final amount. Confirm current figures and availability with Honda or a dealer.

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SINGARO Car Cup Holder Coaster, Silicone Cup Holder Insert, Universal Non-Slip Cup Holders, Car Accessories Interior for Women and Man Interior Sets 4 Pack Black
  • High Quality Material: The coaster is made of environmentally friendly silicone, safe, non-toxic and odorless. Soft with toughness, easily embedded in the cup holder. Very durable, wear-resistant, long service life. High temperature resistance, can withstand 100 ℃ high temperature water cups.
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2026 Honda Pilot trim Starting MSRP 2026 Honda Passport trim Starting MSRP
Sport $42,395 RTL $44,950
EX-L $44,695 RTL Towing $45,650
TrailSport $50,595 RTL Blackout $46,150
Touring $51,295 TrailSport $48,650
Touring Blackout $52,495 TrailSport Blackout $49,850
Elite $53,695 TrailSport Elite $52,650
Black Edition $55,195 TrailSport Elite Blackout $53,850

The Pilot’s entry price is lower, but the trim ladder does not map neatly to the Passport’s: Passport’s lineup is weighted toward TrailSport variants, while Pilot spans more conventional family-oriented trims. Compare equipment and exact vehicle pricing rather than assuming similarly priced trims have identical features.

Fuel economy and powertrain

Honda’s 2026 model comparison lists 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for Pilot, versus 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for Passport. These are manufacturer-published comparison figures; ratings can vary by trim and configuration, so use the rating for the vehicle you are considering. The available sources do not establish independent real-world fuel economy.

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Rank #3
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PIMCAR 2-Piece Center Console Organizer & Armrest Divider Set for 2023-2026 Honda Pilot, 2024-2026 Honda Passport/Ridgeline, Custom Fit Durable ABS Plastic Storage Tray
  • Perfect Fit: Precisely engineered for 2023-2026 Honda Pilot, 2024-2026 Honda Ridgeline, 2024-2026 Passport. This 2-Piece set (armrest divider + center console tray) seamlessly integrates with the factory interior, creating a clutter-free cabin.
  • Armrest Divider: Divides armrest box into 4 deep compartments at the base designed specifically for bulky essentials (sunglasses, cables), eliminating wasted vertical space while keeping items securely separated and visible at a glance.
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  • Tool-Free Installation: Put the tray and divider directly into the center console. No adhesives or modifications. Fully removable for effortless cleaning or layout changes.

Honda describes the Passport with a 285-hp 3.5-liter V-6, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive. The published Passport RTL rating is 19/25 mpg city/highway. Confirm specifications for the precise trim rather than assuming every configuration has an identical rating.

Which is better for towing or trails?

Towing

Honda lists a 5,000-lb towing capacity for the 2026 Passport. The RTL Towing trim includes an integrated Class III hitch and harness. The Pilot specification information cited here does not establish a directly comparable towing limit for every trim, so there is no sound basis for naming a towing winner across the lineup. Check Honda’s tow guidance for the exact Pilot or Passport configuration, and account for the trailer and vehicle loading limits.

Rank #4
EcoNour Windshield Sunshade Compatible for Honda Pilot 2016-2024 2025 2026
  • Compatible for Honda Pilot 2016-2026 Windshield Sun Shade: Precisely designed windshield sunshade fit for Honda Pilot - 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 to provide full windshield coverage with 100% light blocker.
  • Maximum Heat & UV Blocking Windshield Sunshade: Reflective windshield sun shade with a 4-layer cover blocks 99.89% of UVA & 99.95% of UVB and offers SPF 100 & UPF 80+ protection, reducing harmful UV rays and extreme heat, keeping the car’s interior cooler while protecting the dashboard, seats, and steering wheel.
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Trail use

Passport TrailSport is the more explicitly trail-focused path in the lineup. Honda lists all-terrain tires, off-road-tuned suspension, recovery hooks, and skid plates for the 2026 Passport TrailSport; its specifications also list seven drive modes, including Tow, Trail, and Sand. Pilot TrailSport also brings all-terrain tires and off-road-tuned suspension. These are equipment distinctions, not evidence that one model performs better on a trail: that would require comparable independent testing.

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Which SUV should you choose?

  • Choose the Pilot if you need a third row, want the option of seating up to eight, or prioritize the lower published starting MSRP.
  • Choose the Passport if two rows meet your passenger needs and you want standard i-VTM4 AWD with a lineup that includes more trail-oriented TrailSport choices.
  • Compare the exact trims if fuel economy, towing equipment, or trail features will decide the purchase. Published headline figures do not resolve every trim-specific difference.

Ride comfort, reliability, crash-test performance, long-term ownership cost, and real-world fuel use are not established by these specifications. Treat them as separate questions requiring evidence beyond the manufacturer comparison.

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Drop Stop – 2 Original Car Seat Gap Fillers (Shark Tank) + Dash Pad + Light
  • DROP STOP: Provides 100% Gap Coverage in front of, surrounding & behind seat belt catch. Drop Stop attaches to the seat belt catch via built in slot. Moves with seat, no need to readjust or reinstall
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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