8 Top Honda Pilot Competitors
How does the Honda Pilot hold up in the competitive 2022 landscape for midsize three-row SUVs? Find out here.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The competition field for three-row SUVs like the Honda Pilot is loaded with heavy hitters from top to bottom.
Tenured models of the segment, like the Dodge Durango and Nissan Pathfinder, look to hold on to their established market share. While newcomers, like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, look to take their piece of the pie.
So how does the Honda Pilot hold up in 2022? Does it rise to the top or fumble the bag? Well, the team at
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison app, has run a competitive analysis on the midsize three-row SUV segment to get answers to these hot-button questions. (We can also show you how to find a better Honda Pilot insurance cost
down below.)1. Dodge Durango
Starting price: $39,355 to $68,195
Selling points: Power, power, and more POWER!
Weak spot: Efficiency tradeoff
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! For over 20 years, the
Dodge Durango
has dominated its specific niche: a midsize SUV that drives and feels like a muscle car.The 2022 model is no different. Under the hood, you’ll find a 295-hp V6 or a midsize SUV exclusive 360-hp V8 engine. This unique capacity for power allows the Durango to tow upwards of 8,700 pounds, blowing away the competition.
But brute force doesn’t come without its drawbacks. To supplement the beefy engine, the Durango does lose about one to five miles of combined fuel efficiency compared to the field.
When comparing the Dodge Durango to the Honda Pilot, it’s a bit subjective since the price points are pretty close. Do you want the masculinity of the Durango? Or the conservative nature of the Pilot? Depends on who you ask.
2. GMC Acadia
Starting price: $34,800 to $48,600
Selling points: Unique truck like style (if you’re into that)
Weak spot: Almost everything (sorry)
The
GMC Acadia
is another model that should probably attend a style seminar with the Honda Pilot because there isn’t much here to flaunt. While its boxy truck like looks appeal to some, most buyers in this segment want something sleeker.And honestly, there isn’t much to brag about at all with the 2022 model of the GMC Acadia: the interior materials feel cheap, the third-row seat is cramped, the cargo space is below average, and the fuel efficiency is subpar.
And since the Honda Pilot scores out better in all those mentioned categories, this competition isn’t very competitive at all.
3. Hyundai Palisade
Starting price: $34,895 to $48,585
Selling points: Comfort, convenience, and family-friendly luxury on a budget
Weak spot: If you find one, let us know
While it may seem surprising in such a crowded segment, there was a slight gap for a luxurious, affordable, and sizeable midsize three-row SUV to step into. Since its introduction in 2020, the
Hyundai Palisade
has seized the moment.Most SUVs that go the upscale route often sacrifice either space or power—not the Palisade. Its spacious eight seats and 86.4 cubic ft of max cargo space are pushed around seamlessly by its spunky 291 hp V6 engine.
To top it all off, you can get the Palisade at a highly competitive starting price of $34,895. And somehow, the “economical” Honda Pilot is still more expensive—it’s a bit of a head scratcher how Hyundai packed so much value into this impressive vehicle. But hey, we’re not complaining!
4. Kia Telluride
Starting price: $34,725 to $44,625
Selling points: Incredible value, striking design & features
Weak spot: Rigid driving experience
The
Kia Telluride
may be the new kid on the block (introduced in 2020), but it is gunning for the crown—both J.D Power and Edmunds rank the Telluride as their top midsize three-row SUV for 2022. We’re not here to give rankings, but it’s hard to argue with the facts. The 2022 Telluride simply offers things that the Honda Pilot can’t keep pace with—like its upscale design, high-tech features, and comprehensive safety system. Oh, and did we mention it’s about $5,000 cheaper?
The Honda Pilot has been around for over 20 years, but it better step up its game before it gets forced out by the competition. However, some critics do complain about the Telluride’s rigid driving experience. And since the Honda Pilot is known for its swift maneuverability, this may be an area of leverage for future competitiveness.
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5. Mazda CX-9
Starting price: $35,630 to $47,560
Selling points: Best-in-class style
Weak spot: Poor passenger space
Now, this may be a deal breaker for some buyers who need the passenger space. But if it’s not an absolute priority, the Mazda CX-9 does have some of the most unique, sharp, and elegant styling of the entire segment.
Considering the Honda Pilot is often referred to as a “lifted minivan,” the CX-9 is a refreshing and sporty alternative. However, if having seven passengers is a non-negotiable and style is simply an afterthought, the Honda Pilot is happy to oblige.
6. Nissan Pathfinder
Starting price: $35,970 to $48,435
Selling points: Camping capable and rugged styling
Weak spot: Clumsy handling
The
Nissan Pathfinder
, as its name implies, is the off-road darling of the bunch. Its seven all-terrain driving modes help it conquer anything in front of it, including sand, mud, rut, and more!In addition, its eight-person cabin, handy storage cubbies/bins, and 6000 lb maximum towing capacity make it an ideal SUV to take the whole family on a camping trip. And while many of these midsize three-row SUVs have gone with upscale designs, the Pathfinder maintains a rugged style that makes it look like it belongs on the campsite.
Some drivers note some clumsy handling on city streets. If that is a major turn-off for you, it may be best to go with the Honda Pilot.
MORE: The 10 best SUVs for towing
7. Toyota Highlander
Starting price: $37,070 to $50,725
Selling points: Hybrid powertrain
Weak spot: Outdated styling
It’s easy to be swooned by the new Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride, but the
Toyota Highlander
has been perfecting the midsize three-row SUV formula for years. It may be a bit of an old-head when it comes to styling, but one thing they’ve definitely cracked the code on is fuel efficiency! It’s the only Honda Pilot competitor on this list that offers an optional hybrid powertrain—which can achieve upwards of 35 mpg. That’s a heck of an upgrade from other midsize three-row SUVs on this list that average 23ish combined mpg.
8. Volkswagen Atlas
Starting price: $35,630 to $52,800
Selling points: Best-in-class cargo space
Weak spot: Joyless driving experience
As you’ve noticed thus far, just about every vehicle has some sort of competitive advantage to help set it apart in the crowded midsize three-row SUV segment.
And for the
Volkswagen Atlas
, it’s the impressive cargo space—measuring 96.8 cubic feet when all seats are folded down. This is a whopping 10 to 20 cubic feet bigger than any other vehicle mentioned on this list, including a 14 cubic foot differential on the Honda Pilot.However, every competitive advantage seems to have a flip side compromise (except for the Hyundai Palisade, we’re still looking for that one). For the Atlas, it’s the forgettable overall experience. Its appearance lacks inspiration, and the handling simply does not thrill.
Honda Pilot vs. the competition
For a midsize three-row SUV to stand out in this crowded field, it needs a balanced combo of space, power, efficiency, style, and price. And the fact of the matter is: the 2022 Honda Pilot is middle-of-the-row (if not towards the lower end) for its hefty price point.
Check out the side-by-side comparison of all the vehicles we’ve discussed in this article to visualize each of their competitive advantages
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$39,060 to $50,620 | V6 | 7 seats | 82.1 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 19/26/22 mpg | |
$39,355 to $68,195 | V6 or V8 | 7 seats | 85.1 cubic ft | 8700 lb | 19/26/21 mpg | |
$34,800 to $48,600 | Turbocharged 4-cylinder or V6 | 6 seats | 79 cubic ft | 4000 lb | 18/25/21 mpg | |
$34,895 to $48,585 | V6 | 8 seats | 86.4 cubic ft | 5000 lb | 19/26/22 mpg | |
$34,725 to $44,625 | V6 | 8 seats | 87 cubic ft | 5000 lb | 20/26/23 mpg | |
$35,630 to $47,560 | Turbocharged 4-cylinder | 6 seats | 84.9 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 20/26/23 mpg | |
$35,970 to $48,435 | V6 | 8 seats | 80.5 cubic ft | 6000 lbs | 21/27/23 mpg | |
$37,070 to $50,725 | V6 or hybrid | 8 seats | 84.3 cubic ft | 5000 lbs | 21/29/24 mpg | |
$35,630 to $52,800 | Four-cylinder or V6 | 7 seats | 96.8 cubic ft | 5000 lbs | 21/25/23 mpg |
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