For U.S. vehicles; figures from Honda's 2026 Passport specifications and 2026 Pilot specifications release, checked 2026-11-04.

The Honda Passport and Pilot share a 285-hp V6 and a 10-speed automatic, so the real choice is body size and seating. The Passport is a two-row, five-passenger SUV. The Pilot adds a third row and is 8.6 inches longer. This guide compares the published 2026 numbers side by side so you can decide whether the extra length is worth it.

Quick comparison table

2026 spec Honda Passport Honda Pilot
Seating 5 (two rows) 8; 7 on TrailSport (three rows)
Engine 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft
Transmission 10-speed automatic 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain i-VTM4 AWD on every trim FWD or AWD on Sport and EX-L; AWD on other trims
Length 191.5 in 200.1 in (200.4 in TrailSport)
Towing 5,000 lb 5,000 lb AWD; 3,500 lb 2WD
EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb.) 19/25/21 RTL; 18/23/20 TrailSport 19/27/22 2WD Sport and EX-L; 19/25/21 AWD; 18/23/20 TrailSport AWD

Size and dimensions

Honda's published figures put the Passport 8.6 inches shorter overall, on a wheelbase that is only 0.2 inch shorter. Nearly all of the difference is behind the rear axle, where the Pilot carries a third row and its cargo area.

2026 dimension Honda Passport Honda Pilot
Length 191.5 in 200.1 in (200.4 in TrailSport)
Wheelbase 113.6 in 113.8 in
Width 79.4 in 78.5 in
Height 73.1 in 70.9 to 72.0 in
Ground clearance 8.3 in 7.3 in (8.3 in TrailSport)
Curb weight 4,478 to 4,705 lb 4,334 to 4,722 lb
Turning diameter, curb to curb 38.9 ft 37.8 ft (37.7 ft TrailSport)
Two details surprise shoppers. The Passport is actually the wider vehicle, by 0.9 inch, and it sits taller. It also has more ground clearance than every Pilot except TrailSport. For a tight garage, length is the number that matters, and the Pilot is the one more likely to be a problem. For a broader view of the lineup, see Honda SUV models by size.

Seating: two rows vs three rows

This is the main reason to pick one over the other. Honda lists the Passport as a five-passenger SUV. The Pilot seats eight, or seven in TrailSport form, and the SUVLook Pilot profile notes an available removable center seat that changes how the second row is set up.

Interior room (2026) Honda Passport Honda Pilot
Legroom, row 1 41.1 in 41.0 in
Legroom, row 2 40.9 in 40.8 in
Legroom, row 3 Not applicable 32.5 in
Headroom, row 1 40.5 in RTL; 39.1 in TrailSport 40.5 in Sport and EX-L; 39.1 in other trims
Headroom, row 2 40.7 in RTL; 39.6 in TrailSport 40.2 in Sport and EX-L; 39.2 in other trims
Headroom, row 3 Not applicable 39.3 in
EPA passenger volume 119.1 cu ft RTL; 115.4 cu ft TrailSport 158.4 cu ft Sport and EX-L; 154.9 cu ft other trims
The first two rows are almost identical on paper. The Pilot's extra length buys the third row, and Honda lists only 32.5 inches of third-row legroom, so sit in it before assuming adults will fit on long trips. See the Passport interior guide and Pilot interior guide for more on each cabin.

Cargo space

Honda's cargo figures use different reference points, so compare matching rows only.

Cargo (cu ft) Honda Passport Honda Pilot
Behind third row Not applicable 18.6 standard; 21.8 to 22.4 maximum
Behind second row 44.0 48.5 standard; 59.5 to 60.1 maximum
Behind first row, standard 83.8 (83.2 TrailSport Elite) 86.5 to 87.0
Behind first row, maximum 104.6 (104.4 TrailSport Elite) 111.8 to 113.7
The practical split is this. Behind the second row, the Pilot's standard 48.5 cubic feet is larger than the Passport's 44.0, because the Pilot's third row folds into the floor. But if you use all three Pilot rows, only 18.6 cubic feet remains behind the third row. With every rear seat folded, the Pilot also has the larger maximum.

Cubic feet do not prove a particular object fits. Check floor length, the hatch opening and the width between the wheel housings. The Passport cargo dimensions guide goes into that detail.

Towing

Honda lists the Passport at 5,000 lb; all Passports are all-wheel drive. The Pilot is rated at 5,000 lb for AWD models and 3,500 lb for 2WD models. The 2WD rating applies only to Sport and EX-L, the Pilot trims that offer front-wheel drive.

These are maximum ratings. They depend on the exact trim and equipment, and the loaded trailer is also limited by payload and tongue weight. Confirm the figure for your vehicle in the owner's manual and on the door-jamb label before towing. Honda also publishes a Pilot towing page. For other models, see SUV towing capacity.

Powertrain, drivetrain and fuel economy

Both use a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 285 hp and 262 lb-ft with a 10-speed automatic, so neither has a performance advantage on paper. Honda's 2026 specifications list no hybrid or smaller engine for either one.

The differences are drivetrain and mpg. Every Passport has i-VTM4 AWD. The Pilot Sport and EX-L come with front-wheel drive, with AWD available, and the other Pilot trims have standard AWD.

EPA mpg (city/hwy/combined) Passport Pilot
FWD Not offered 19/27/22 (Sport, EX-L)
AWD, non-TrailSport 19/25/21 (RTL) 19/25/21
TrailSport AWD 18/23/20 18/23/20

Fuel tanks hold 18.5 gallons in both. Sources: Passport specs; Pilot specs.

Trims and pricing

Honda's specification page lists Passport RTL, RTL Towing, RTL Blackout, TrailSport, TrailSport Blackout, TrailSport Elite and TrailSport Elite Blackout versions. The Pilot comes in Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition.

SUVLook's Pilot profile lists a starting MSRP of $42,395 for the Sport, excluding destination, taxes and options. We do not have a verified 2026 Passport price from Honda's specification pages, so none is shown here. Check Honda's current price list, and see the Passport trim levels and Pilot trim levels guides for equipment.

Off-road trims

Both offer a TrailSport. The Passport TrailSport has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, 275/60R18 all-terrain tires and approach and departure angles of 23.0 and 23.1 degrees, per Honda. The Pilot TrailSport also lists 8.3 inches of clearance, with 265/60 R18 Rugged Terrain tires, a full-size spare and angles of 19.9 and 19.0 degrees. Honda lists a compact spare for the Passport.

Note the different baselines: non-TrailSport Pilots have 7.3 inches of clearance, while every Passport has 8.3 inches.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Passport if you carry five people at most, want the shorter body, or want standard AWD and 8.3 inches of clearance without buying a trail trim. You give up the third row.

Choose the Pilot if you regularly carry more than five people, want the larger maximum cargo area, or want the option of front-wheel drive. You get a longer vehicle and 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row when it is in use.

Either works if you tow up to 5,000 lb (AWD) and want the same V6. Confirm the rating for the exact vehicle.

Weight, tires and chassis details

Honda lists a Passport RTL curb weight of 4,478 lb, rising to 4,676 lb for TrailSport and 4,705 lb for TrailSport Elite. Its weight distribution is 58.6/41.4 percent front/rear on RTL. Tires are 265/60R18 all-season on RTL and 275/60R18 all-terrain on TrailSport trims, per the Passport specifications.

The Pilot's lightest listed curb weight is 4,334 lb (EX-L 2WD) and its heaviest is 4,722 lb (TrailSport AWD). Tire sizes vary by trim: 255/50 R20 on Sport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition, 255/60 R18 on EX-L, and 265/60 R18 Rugged Terrain on TrailSport, according to the Pilot release.

Both list 13.8-inch front and 13.0-inch rear brakes. Tire size matters if you plan to change wheels or shop for replacement tires, so read the sidewall of the exact vehicle rather than assuming.

What to check before you buy

  1. Count your regular passengers. If you seat more than five even a few times a year, the Pilot is the only one of the two that can do it.
  2. Measure your garage. The 8.6-inch length difference is the biggest practical gap; width, which favors the Pilot, matters for narrow doorways.
  3. Sit in the third row. Honda lists 32.5 inches of third-row legroom, which is much less than the second row.
  4. Check the trim and drivetrain. Towing, ground clearance, tires and mpg all change by trim.
  5. Confirm towing with the manual. Maximum ratings are not a substitute for the vehicle's own label.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Honda Passport smaller than the Pilot?

In length, yes: the 2026 Passport is 191.5 inches long against 200.1 inches for the Pilot (200.4 for TrailSport). The Passport is 0.9 inch wider, however, at 79.4 inches against 78.5.

Does the Honda Passport have a third row?

No. Honda lists the 2026 Passport as a five-passenger SUV. The Pilot has three rows and seats eight, or seven in TrailSport.

Which has more cargo space, Passport or Pilot?

With the rear seats folded, the Pilot: up to 111.8 to 113.7 cubic feet against the Passport's 104.6 maximum (104.4 for TrailSport Elite). Behind the second row, the Pilot lists 48.5 cubic feet and the Passport 44.0.

Do the Passport and Pilot have the same engine?

Yes. Both use a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque and a 10-speed automatic.

Which tows more?

Both are rated at 5,000 lb in AWD form. The front-wheel-drive Pilot is rated at 3,500 lb. Confirm with the owner's manual.

Are these figures for 2026 only?

Yes. Earlier model years can differ, so do not apply these numbers to a used Passport or Pilot.

Sources

Related SUVLook research