If you’re comparing the 2026 Honda Pilot and 2026 Honda Passport, the biggest difference is not the engine. Both use a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower. The real difference is how each SUV uses its space and capability. The Pilot is a three-row family SUV designed to carry up to eight people, while the Passport is a two-row SUV designed around five-passenger comfort, cargo space, standard AWD, and a more adventure-oriented character.
In simple terms, choose the Pilot if you regularly need extra seats. Choose the Passport if you do not need a third row and would rather have a two-row SUV with a stronger trail-ready focus.
Quick Answer
The main difference between the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport is their layout and purpose.
The Honda Pilot is a three-row SUV with seating for up to eight people, making it better suited to larger families, carpools, and situations where passenger flexibility matters.
The Honda Passport is a two-row, five-passenger SUV with standard AWD and a stronger emphasis on adventure and off-road capability.
Both use a 285-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission, but their priorities are different.
Honda Pilot vs Passport at a Glance
| Feature | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2026 Honda Passport |
| Basic layout | Three-row SUV | Two-row SUV |
| Seating | Up to 8 | 5 |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 285 hp |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| AWD | Available | Standard |
| Maximum towing | Up to 5,000 lb with AWD | Up to 5,000 lb |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 18.6 cu. ft. with all rows in use | 44.0 cu. ft. |
| Maximum cargo | Up to 111.8+ cu. ft., depending on configuration | Up to 104.6 cu. ft. |
| Starting MSRP | $42,395 | $44,950 |
| Best suited to | Families and passenger flexibility | Adventure, cargo, and five-passenger use |
Specifications can vary by trim and drivetrain, so the exact numbers should be checked against the configuration being considered. Honda lists the 2026 Pilot from $42,395 and the Passport from $44,950 in the U.S.
What Is the Honda Pilot?
The 2026 Honda Pilot is Honda’s three-row family SUV. It can accommodate up to eight passengers, depending on configuration, and provides a third row that gives families additional seating flexibility.
Its 3.5-liter V6 produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is available on some versions, while Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system is available on applicable trims.
The Pilot makes the most sense when passenger capacity is one of your main priorities.
For example, it can be useful for:
- Large families
- Carpooling
- Carrying children and friends
- Long family road trips
- Buyers who occasionally need a third row
- Drivers who want both passenger and cargo flexibility
The Pilot is therefore more of a people-and-family utility SUV.
What Is the Honda Passport?
The 2026 Honda Passport is a two-row, five-passenger SUV. Instead of using space for a third row, Honda gives the Passport a larger cargo area behind the second row and a more adventure-focused design.
The Passport comes with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Its i-VTM4 AWD system is standard, and Honda emphasizes its trail-ready suspension, ground clearance, approach angles, and TrailSport capability.
That makes the Passport particularly appealing to buyers who regularly carry:
- Camping equipment
- Sports gear
- Outdoor equipment
- Luggage
- Large everyday loads
without needing a third row.
What Is the Main Difference Between the Honda Pilot and Passport?
The simplest distinction is:
Pilot = more passenger flexibility. Passport = more two-row adventure focus.
The Pilot has three rows and can seat up to eight, while the Passport has two rows and seats five.
That difference affects almost everything else.
If you frequently carry six, seven, or eight people, the Passport cannot replace the Pilot’s third row.
On the other hand, if you almost never carry more than five people, the Passport’s two-row layout can be more convenient because you get a large cargo area immediately behind the rear seats.
Seating and Interior Space
Honda Pilot
The Pilot’s biggest advantage is its third row. Depending on configuration, it seats seven or eight passengers. Honda also offers a removable second-row center seat on applicable versions, giving owners additional flexibility.
The third row is particularly useful for children, occasional passengers, or carpooling.
Honda Passport
The Passport seats five people across two rows. Honda’s specifications list 40.9 inches of second-row legroom, while cargo space behind the second row measures 44.0 cubic feet.
So the Passport sacrifices passenger capacity in exchange for a simpler two-row interior and a large cargo area.
Cargo Space: Which Has More?
This comparison needs some context.
The Passport provides 44.0 cubic feet behind its second row and up to 83.8 cubic feet with the second row folded in many configurations.
The Pilot, however, can offer more total maximum cargo volume when both rear rows are folded. Honda lists 87.0 cubic feet behind the first row in several configurations, with configuration-dependent maximum figures exceeding 111 cubic feet in its specification table.
Therefore:
Need cargo space while five people are still seated? → Passport
Need maximum possible cargo volume after folding the rear rows? → Pilot can provide more overall capacity.
This is an important distinction that a simple “Passport has more cargo” statement misses.
Performance and Engine
The two SUVs are surprisingly similar mechanically.
Both use a 3.5-liter V6, both produce 285 horsepower, and both use a 10-speed automatic transmission.
That means the decision is not primarily about choosing one SUV because it has a substantially more powerful engine.
Instead, you’re choosing between two different vehicle layouts and purposes.
The Pilot emphasizes family versatility, while the Passport places more emphasis on two-row utility and adventure capability.
Towing: Pilot vs Passport
Both SUVs can reach a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, but there is an important difference.
The 2026 Pilot is rated for up to 5,000 pounds with AWD, while its 2WD versions are rated at 3,500 pounds.
The 2026 Passport is rated at 5,000 pounds across its listed configurations.
So if towing is important, the Passport has a straightforward advantage in standard capability, while a Pilot buyer should pay attention to drivetrain and trim.
AWD and Off-Road Capability
This is where the Passport becomes especially interesting.
Honda gives the 2026 Passport standard i-VTM4 AWD and markets it as its most rugged SUV, with an off-road-tuned suspension and features designed for difficult terrain.
Honda lists up to 8.3 inches of ground clearance for the Passport and highlights its approach angles, Trail Info, Hill Descent Control, and TrailSport equipment.
The Pilot also offers AWD and has a TrailSport version designed for more demanding terrain. Honda’s Pilot TrailSport provides 8.3 inches of ground clearance and additional trail-oriented equipment.
The difference is therefore not “Pilot is for roads and Passport is for off-road.” Both can handle more than ordinary pavement.
The more useful distinction is:
Passport → adventure-focused two-row SUV
Pilot TrailSport → adventure capability while retaining three-row practicality
Fuel Economy
Neither SUV is a fuel-economy leader because both use a naturally aspirated V6.
The 2026 Pilot’s EPA ratings vary by drivetrain and trim. Honda lists 19/27 mpg city/highway for its 2WD versions and 19/25 mpg for many AWD versions, while the TrailSport is rated lower at 18/23 mpg.
Consumer Reports notes that the 2026 Passport and Pilot are both rated around 21 mpg combined in comparable configurations, with TrailSport versions rated at 20 mpg combined.
Therefore, fuel economy should not be the primary reason to choose one over the other.
Price Difference
The 2026 Honda Pilot starts at $42,395 MSRP, while the 2026 Honda Passport starts at $44,950 MSRP in the U.S.
That makes the Passport’s starting price higher.
However, the price difference should be considered alongside equipment, drivetrain, trim level, and intended use rather than looking only at the base MSRP.
Which Is Better for Families?
Choose the Honda Pilot if:
- You regularly carry more than five people.
- You need a third row.
- You have children and want additional seating flexibility.
- You frequently carpool.
- You want a family road-trip vehicle.
- You want maximum passenger versatility.
The Pilot’s three-row layout is its defining advantage.
Choose the Honda Passport if:
- Five seats are enough.
- You rarely or never use a third row.
- You want a large cargo area behind the second row.
- You prefer a more adventure-oriented SUV.
- Standard AWD is important.
- You want a simpler two-row configuration.
Which Is Better for Adventure and Off-Road Use?
For buyers who prioritize outdoor activities, the Passport is the more natural fit.
Its standard AWD, trail-oriented engineering, available TrailSport equipment, and two-row configuration give it a clear adventure-oriented identity.
However, the Pilot TrailSport is the better choice if you want similar trail-oriented features while retaining three-row seating. Honda specifically equips the Pilot TrailSport with AWD, trail modes, increased ground clearance, and other off-road-oriented hardware.
Common Mistakes When Comparing the Pilot and Passport
Mistake 1: Assuming the Passport is simply a smaller Pilot
They are closely related Honda SUVs, but they are designed around different priorities.
The Passport is a two-row SUV, whereas the Pilot is a three-row SUV.
Mistake 2: Assuming the Pilot always has more useful cargo space
The Pilot can have greater maximum cargo capacity, but the Passport offers 44 cubic feet behind its second row, which can be more useful when you want to carry five passengers and luggage simultaneously.
Mistake 3: Assuming only the Passport can go off-road
The Pilot TrailSport also provides genuine trail-oriented equipment and capability.
Mistake 4: Assuming both have identical towing capability in every configuration
They do not. The Pilot’s towing capacity depends on drivetrain, with 2WD versions rated at 3,500 pounds and AWD versions reaching 5,000 pounds.
Can the Honda Pilot and Passport Be Used Interchangeably?
Sometimes, but not completely.
They overlap as midsize Honda SUVs and both can serve as comfortable daily drivers, family vehicles, and road-trip SUVs.
However, their layouts create a meaningful difference.
If you need six or more passengers, the Pilot is the obvious choice because the Passport only seats five.
If you need five or fewer passengers and want a large two-row cargo area with standard AWD and a stronger adventure emphasis, the Passport may make more sense.
How to Remember the Difference
Use this simple rule:
Pilot = people. Passport = personal space and adventure.
Think of the Pilot as the Honda SUV you choose when you need to move more people.
Think of the Passport as the Honda SUV you choose when you want two rows, cargo room, and trail-oriented capability.
Which One Should I Use?
If you need a third row → choose the Pilot.
If you need seating for up to seven or eight → choose the Pilot.
If you regularly carpool → choose the Pilot.
If five seats are enough → consider the Passport.
If you want more cargo space behind the second row → choose the Passport.
If standard AWD matters → choose the Passport.
If adventure and trail driving are major priorities → strongly consider the Passport.
If you want adventure capability plus three rows → consider the Pilot TrailSport.
Pilot or Passport? Practice Examples
1. You have three children and regularly drive with grandparents.
Answer: Pilot
The third row gives you substantially more passenger flexibility.
2. You usually travel with two other people and carry camping equipment.
Answer: Passport
Its two-row design leaves 44.0 cubic feet behind the rear seats.
3. You need to carry seven passengers.
Answer: Pilot
The Passport seats five, while the Pilot can seat up to eight depending on configuration.
4. You want an adventure-oriented SUV but still need three rows.
Answer: Pilot TrailSport
It combines three-row practicality with additional trail-oriented equipment.
5. You want standard AWD and do not need a third row.
Answer: Passport
The 2026 Passport comes with standard i-VTM4 AWD.
Answers
- Pilot
- Passport
- Pilot
- Pilot TrailSport
- Passport
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Honda Pilot and Passport?
The Pilot is a three-row SUV that can seat up to eight, while the Passport is a two-row SUV with seating for five. The Passport has a stronger adventure-oriented identity and standard AWD.
Is the Honda Pilot bigger than the Passport?
The Pilot is longer overall. Honda lists the 2026 Pilot at about 200.1 inches long, while the Passport is about 191.5 inches long.
Does the Passport have more cargo space than the Pilot?
It depends on how you measure it. The Passport offers 44.0 cubic feet behind its second row, making it useful for carrying cargo while five people remain seated. The Pilot can provide greater maximum cargo capacity when its rear rows are folded.
Which has more seats, the Pilot or Passport?
The Pilot has more seats. It can seat up to eight depending on configuration, while the Passport seats five.
Which is better for a family?
The Pilot is generally the better choice for larger families because of its third row and greater passenger flexibility.
Which is better for off-road driving?
The Passport is the more adventure-focused choice, particularly because standard AWD and trail-oriented engineering are central to its design. The Pilot TrailSport is also designed for more demanding terrain and offers the advantage of three-row seating.
Do the Pilot and Passport have the same engine?
Yes. The 2026 versions use a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower.
Can the Pilot tow 5,000 pounds?
Yes, but the 5,000-pound maximum applies to AWD Pilot configurations. 2WD versions are rated at 3,500 pounds.
Can the Passport tow 5,000 pounds?
Yes. Honda’s 2026 Passport specifications list a 5,000-pound towing capacity across the lineup.
Conclusion
The difference between the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport comes down primarily to passenger capacity and purpose. The Pilot is the better fit when you need three rows, family flexibility, or seating for up to eight. The Passport is the better fit when five seats are enough and you prefer a two-row SUV with substantial cargo space, standard AWD, and a stronger adventure focus.
Sajid Ali is an English language educator and content specialist with 7+ years of teaching experience. He holds master’s degrees in Information Technology and Education from the Virtual University of Pakistan and writes SEO-optimized, learner-friendly vocabulary content for diffari.com.
