The 2024 Honda Pilot is among the hottest and well-rounded three-row household SUVs in the marketplace. It has intelligent storage and distinctive second-row performance, and after a full redesign a number of years in the past, not screams “child transport!” The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder appears to be usually forgotten when discussing three-row crossovers, largely as a result of its personal predecessor was an much more miserable equipment. That’s a disgrace, as a result of the Pathfinder is a well-rounded household SUV itself, and we actually dig the cool, go-anywhere vibe of its Rock Creek version.
As you’ll see beneath, Nissan additionally manages to web fairly a number of victories in our numerous classes. Now, selecting a automotive is extra sophisticated than tabulating factors like a basketball sport. Some classes are inherently weighted greater than others, so one specific win is certain to be a a lot greater deal for you and your loved ones’s wants.
Learn our full 2024 Honda Pilot Evaluate
Learn our full 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Evaluate
Which has a nicer inside?
Winner: Pathfinder
This can be a shut one, and for a lot of it is perhaps a coin flip. We in the end just like the Pathfinder’s look and supplies higher. There’s padded simulated leather-based on the sprint and throughout the middle console, and two-tone colour schemes or distinction stitching on higher trim ranges. In brief, it seems and feels “nicer.” We nonetheless just like the Pilot, although, and there’s one thing to be mentioned for its minimalist aesthetic and barely extra helpful storage up entrance.
Which has higher infotainment know-how?
Winner: Pathfinder
Each the Pathfinder and Pilot’s top-end touchscreen measures 9 inches, however the base Nissan system is 8 inches versus 7 inches within the Pilot. Furthermore, we favor Nissan’s crisper and extra colourful graphics – particularly with the smaller display screen. Each are equally consumer pleasant.
Which is safer?
Winner: Tie
Each the Pathfinder and Pilot got the Prime Security Decide+ award from the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. The Pilot bought a “Good” ranking for its headlights, whereas the Pathfinder bought an “Acceptable” ranking. Each obtained the identical marks for his or her accident prevention tech. We favor the Pathfinder’s ProPilot Help adaptive cruise management and steering help system to the comparable characteristic within the Pilot.
Which has the larger again seat?
Winner: Pilot
The Pilot has a extra comfy and spacious third row than the Pathinder’s, which is nearer to the ground. The Pathfinder’s tilting-and-sliding second-row makes it simpler to get again there from exterior, nevertheless. Area within the second row is comparable, however the Pilot gives one thing the Pathfinder and nothing else within the section does: a second-row center seat that may be eliminated (admittedly with some back-bending effort) and saved below the cargo ground. Or within the storage if you wish to preserve max cargo house. This implies you don’t have to decide on between seven- or eight passenger capability on the dealership, or somewhat, center bench or captain’s chairs. You do with the Pathfinder. Be aware, nevertheless, that the fascinating Pilot TrailSport doesn’t have this characteristic.
Pilot prime, Pathfinder backside
Which has extra cargo capability and performance
Winner: Pilot
In our baggage testing, we may match 5 suitcases within the Pilot versus 4 within the Pathfinder with a small duffel bag squished into the underfloor storage compartment. This may be in step with their official cargo volumes of 18.6 cubic-feet and 16.6 cubic-feet behind the third row. The Pilot additionally has an underfloor compartment, however it’s greater, extra useful and we favor its detachable ground panel (with carpeted and washable plastic sides) to the hinged, door-like ground of the Pathfinder. The Pilot additionally has extra most cargo capability: 87 cubic-feet versus 80.5.
Which will get higher gasoline financial system?
Winner: Pathfinder
The Pathfinder will get 23 mpg mixed in all front-wheel-drive fashions in addition to the S, SV and SL trims with all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive Platinum will get 22 mpg mixed, whereas the Rock Creek will get 21 mpg mixed resulting from its additional energy, all-terrain tires and fewer aerodynamic roof rack.
The front-wheel-drive Pilot returns 22 mpg mixed, whereas most trims get 21 mpg with all-wheel drive. The TrailSport is decrease at 20 mpg mixed.
Which is extra highly effective?
Winner: Pathfinder
Each Nissan and Honda supply just one engine of their three-row household haulers, with no hybrid or efficiency choices accessible. Their specs are additionally awfully comparable.
The Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 good for 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It has a 10-speed computerized. The Pathfinder additionally has a 3.5-liter V6, and it produces 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet in most variations. The Rock Creek produces 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. A nine-speed computerized is normal, however we wouldn’t learn something into gear depend. The Pathfinder can tow 6,000 kilos versus 5,000 within the Pilot, which looks as if a tiebreaker if there ever was one.
Which is healthier to drive?
Winner: Pilot
The Pilot has extra exact steering than most household haulers, its experience consists and comfy, and its torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system improves dry-pavement dealing with along with being useful in poor traction circumstances and off pavement. Transmission and throttle programming will be too lackadaisical on hilly stretches of freeway, although, necessitating the engagement of Sport mode (which you actually shouldn’t must do). We haven’t examined the Pathfinder in such a strategy to know if its nine-speed can be superior on this enviornment. We do know that the Pathfinder’s steering response and energy by no means feels fairly proper – it’s a tad too sluggish given the quantity of effort. The Platinum’s 20-inch wheels additionally produce an uncommon experience that mixes a agency response to harsher impacts with a relaxed response to massive bumps and undulations.
Are there variations that stand out greater than others?
Winner: Pathfinder
Each the Pilot and Pathfinder are at their most fascinating when finished up for out of doors adventures. The Pilot TrailSport impressed throughout a 2,000-mile household street journey from Southern California to Central Oregon, as we took benefit of its included trailer hitch, raised roof rails, all-terrain tires and further floor clearance. It additionally turned heads with its particular Subtle Sky Blue paint job. The Pathfinder Rock Creek seems even cooler, although, with its full rack atop a black contrasting roof, all-terrain tires wrapped round very-cool silver-ringed black rims, rugged grille and bumper, and particular Baja Storm paint choice. True, it has much less floor clearance (7.7 inches versus 8.3) and its all-wheel-drive system is much less refined, so it most likely gained’t be nearly as good off-roading. However for those who’re largely in search of a cool-looking gear hauler that may deal with a mud street, it looks as if a greater strategy to go. It’s $5,000 cheaper, too.
When was the final time they have been redesigned?
Winner: Pilot
The Pilot was final redesigned for 2023 and obtained no updates for 2024. The Pathfinder was launched for 2022 and it too was unchanged for 2024. On this case, one 12 months actually doesn’t matter.