Honda Passport vs. Honda Pilot: Which SUV is Right for You?

When you’re shopping for the best SUV for families near Ventura, CA, there’s no shortage of options. However, if you want the most dependable midsize SUVs, it’s hard to beat a Honda for their versatility, power, and interior space.

If you’ve narrowed it down to a Honda SUV, there’s still one important decision to make—do you want the Passport or the Pilot? Both have unique features that make them well-suited to a variety of shoppers, but they also have some key distinctions to be aware of.

Here’s our breakdown of the differences between the 2025 Honda Passport and 2025 Honda Pilot.

Passport vs. Pilot Size and Dimensions

First, let’s tackle the most obvious—and for many, the most important—difference between the two.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of their dimensions:

The Passport is a two-row SUV that seats 5, while the larger Pilot is a three-row SUV that seats up to 8. This will make a huge impact on the decision of which SUV to buy, because many will need that third row to fit the whole crew, or any extra passengers and cargo, so the Pilot is likely to be the best SUV for large families.

However, they have very similar dimensions in their first and second rows, and the Passport still has excellent cargo capacity for its class. If you don’t need three rows of seating, you may prefer its smaller and slightly more maneuverable body style.

Passport vs. Pilot Performance and Power

Both have similar powertrains and capabilities, but they also have some important differences that can affect performance. These are some of the main points to consider:

·       The Pilot and Passport are both powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and they both put out 262 pound-feet of torque, but the Pilot has slightly more horsepower, with 285 compared to the Passport’s 280.

·       The Pilot gets 22 MPG combined with front-wheel drive and 21 MPG combined with AWD, and the Passport gets 21 MPG combined, so they have very similar fuel economies in general.

·       The Pilot has a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Passport has a 9-speed automatic.

·       The Passport comes standard with the Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4®) AWD System. This system is available in the Pilot as well, but most trims come with front-wheel drive as standard equipment.

·       Both come standard with features like Active Noise Cancellation, Hill Start Assist, and Variable Cylinder Management.

·       The Passport has Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes.

·       The Pilot has up to seven selectable drive modes, including Normal, ECON, Sport, Tow, and Snow as standard, plus additional Trail and Sand modes in AWD models.

·       Both have an identical maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

While neither are well-suited to do much serious off-roading, the Passport and Pilot are both quite capable, and they also provide a much smoother ride on pavement than more rugged midsize SUVs, making them the perfect happy medium for folks who like to get off the beaten track without sacrificing daily drivability.

Passport vs. Pilot Features

All Passport trims come with an 8.0-inch color touch screen, as well as standard HondaLink®, Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, SiriusXM®, HD Radio™, four USB ports, and wireless phone charging. The top-level trim also includes a premium audio system and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The base-level Pilot comes with a 7.0-inch color touch screen, while all other trims get a 9.0-inch center touch screen display. Standard features include HondaLink®, Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and four USB ports, and available features include wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™, SiriusXM®, CabinTalk® in-car PA system, Bose premium stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Both are quite well-equipped in terms of comfort and technological features, but they aren’t on exactly equal footing. The Passport provides more standard features, while the Pilot has more upscale tech in its higher trims. Shoppers will simply have to weigh which features are most important to them when they make a decision.

Passport vs. Pilot Safety

Both come with an extensive selection of standard driver assistance features, including:

·       Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

·       Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)

·       Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)

·       Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

·       Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

·       Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

·       Blind Spot Information System (BSI)

·       Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM)

·       Auto High-Beam Headlights

The 2025 Pilot has a few extra standard features, including Driver Attention Monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR). Meanwhile, the 2025 Passport has standard front and rear Parking Sensors, while the base trim Pilot does not.

Despite some minor differences, drivers can drive either one with confidence knowing that they have one of the safest midsize SUVs on the road.

Passport vs. Pilot Price and Trims

Now that we’ve covered all the major differences and similarities between the Pilot and Passport, let’s take a look at their price ranges.

2025 Honda Passport price:

·       EX-L: $42,400

·       TrailSport: $45,000

·       Black Edition: $48,470

2025 Honda Pilot price:

·       Sport: $40,200

·       EX-L: $43,500

·       Touring: $47,500

·       TrailSport: $49,400

·       Elite: $53,080

·       Black Edition: $54,580

When you compare trim-to-trim, the Passport is a bit less expensive due to being smaller than its counterpart. However, the Pilot has double the available trims, so it sees a lower price floor and a higher price ceiling.

But the main takeaway is that both maintain Honda’s reputation for offering the most affordable SUVs in their class, and they both have solid resale value, which makes them both excellent options for shoppers in Southern California.

Honda Midsize SUVs for Sale in Goleta, CA

Still unsure whether the Pilot or Passport is the perfect SUV for you? Why not try both out? We have an extensive inventory of both models, along with plenty of other Honda SUVs to choose from. No matter which one you decide on, don’t forget to ask us about our finance specials and lease deals to get the absolute lowest monthly payment.

Get ahold of the friendly team at Santa Barbara Honda today—contact us online or give us a call at (805) 755-4648 when you’re ready to start shopping.