The 2024 Honda Pilot is likely one of the hottest and well-rounded three-row household SUVs available on the market. It has intelligent storage and distinctive second-row performance, and after a full redesign a couple of years in the past, now not screams “little one transport!” The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder appears to be typically 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 couple of victories in our varied classes. Now, selecting a automobile 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 larger 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
It is a shut one, and for a lot of it could be 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 coloration schemes or distinction stitching on higher trim ranges. Briefly, it seems to be 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 expertise?
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 choose Nissan’s crisper and extra colourful graphics – particularly with the smaller display. Each are equally person pleasant.
Which is safer?
Winner: Tie
Each the Pathfinder and Pilot got the Prime Security Choose+ award from the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. The Pilot received a “Good” ranking for its headlights, whereas the Pathfinder received an “Acceptable” ranking. Each obtained the identical marks for his or her accident prevention tech. We choose the Pathfinder’s ProPilot Help adaptive cruise management and steering help system to the comparable function 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 outdoors, nonetheless. House within the second row is comparable, however the Pilot presents 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 flooring. Or within the storage if you wish to preserve max cargo area. This implies you don’t have to decide on between seven- or eight passenger capability on the dealership, or relatively, center bench or captain’s chairs. You do with the Pathfinder. Notice, nonetheless, that the fascinating Pilot TrailSport doesn’t have this function.
Pilot prime, Pathfinder backside
Which has extra cargo capability and performance
Winner: Pilot
In our baggage testing, we might 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 line 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 larger, extra practical and we choose its detachable flooring panel (with carpeted and washable plastic sides) to the hinged, door-like flooring 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 as a result of 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 provide just one engine of their three-row household haulers, with no hybrid or efficiency choices out there. Their specs are additionally awfully related.
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 automated. 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 automated is customary, 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 best to drive?
Winner: Pilot
The Pilot has extra exact steering than most household haulers, its journey consists and cozy, and its torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system improves dry-pavement dealing with along with being helpful in poor traction situations and off pavement. Transmission and throttle programming may be too lackadaisical on hilly stretches of freeway, although, necessitating the engagement of Sport mode (which you actually shouldn’t should do). We haven’t examined the Pathfinder in such a solution to know if its nine-speed could 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 gradual given the quantity of effort. The Platinum’s 20-inch wheels additionally produce an uncommon journey 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 performed up for out of doors adventures. The Pilot TrailSport impressed throughout a 2,000-mile household highway journey from Southern California to Central Oregon, as we took benefit of its included trailer hitch, raised roof rails, all-terrain tires and additional floor clearance. It additionally turned heads with its particular Subtle Sky Blue paint job. The Pathfinder Rock Creek seems to be 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 possibility. True, it has much less floor clearance (7.7 inches versus 8.3) and its all-wheel-drive system is much less subtle, so it most likely received’t be pretty much as good off-roading. However should you’re principally in search of a cool-looking gear hauler that may deal with a dust highway, it looks as if a greater solution to go. It’s $5,000 cheaper, too.
When was the final time they had 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 yr actually doesn’t matter.