In this comparison of the Honda Pilot vs Passport, we’ll be examining the following:
- Pilot and Passport Beginnings
- Honda Pilot Trim Levels
- Honda Passport Trim Levels
- Engine and Drivetrain Options
- Exterior Dimensions Comparison
- Interior Dimensions Comparison
- Fuel Economy Comparison
- Infotainment Options
The Honda Pilot set the benchmark for third row seating SUVs when it started production in 2002. Before the Pilot was the Honda CR-V, debuting in 1996. The CR-V was built on a car-based platform and directly competed with the Toyota RAV4. The Pilot and CR-V have done stellar jobs fulfilling their roles as mid-size and small SUVs in the Honda lineup. So why did Honda introduce the new Passport in 2018 when two Honda SUVs already existed?
The Honda Passport Filled A Model Gap For Honda
Most of the competition had a larger two-row SUV in their model lineups, including the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Hyundai Santa Fe, and a new Chevrolet Blazer. Honda’s lack of a two-row mid-size SUV, along with the discontinuation of the Honda Crosstour, led to the need for a new model. Along came the Passport.
A little know fact: the current Passport isn’t a new model – it’s a revamp of a truck-based version from the 1990s. From 1993 to 2002, Honda partnered with Isuzu to produce the first two generations of Passports. Due to corporate restructuring and buyouts, the Honda-Isuzu partnership ended in 2002, and the original Passport ceased production. But we’re not here for a history lesson, so let’s get into the key differences between the 2024 Honda Pilot and Passport.
Honda Pilot Trim Levels
LX
The LX trim level is Honda’s entry-level trim offering for the Pilot. This three-row SUV has adequate features and solid practicality at this trim level. Pricing for the Honda Pilot LX starts at $37,090. Sporting 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, this third model year of the fifth generation of Pilots still looks fresh. Keyless entry and push-button ignition are standard.
The 7-inch touchscreen supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Tri-zone automatic climate control ensures a comfortable cabin environment for everyone. Unique for an entry trim level, the LX comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure mitigation, driver attention warning, adaptive cruise control, and a lane centring system.
Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are options. Considering this is the entry-level trim, it’s very nicely equipped. Something to note – the LX trim has been discontinued for the 2025 model year.
Sport
The 2024 Honda Pilot Sport is the next trim up the ladder. Priced at $39,290, the Sport adds 20-inch wheels, gloss black roof rails, LED fog lights, and remote engine start. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and power-adjustable, heated front seats elevate the sportiness inside. Safety gains a boost with the addition of blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning.
EX-L
The 2024 Honda Pilot EX-L, priced at $42,850, introduces luxury options. Outside, 18-inch wheels are again the standard (vs 20-inch in the Sport trim), and the rear liftgate is now power and programmable. Inside, the EX-L has leather-trimmed seats, integrated 2nd-row sunshades, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, and dual illuminated vanity mirrors.
A sound-reducing windshield becomes standard and provides a quieter cabin experience. For added flexibility, there’s an option to choose second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven (kids love them, and parents do too!) The EX-L provides driver’s seat memory settings, a larger 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Cabintalk in-car PA, and a rocking 245-watt audio system with 8 speakers plus a subwoofer! Safety features also increase with low-speed braking control and front and rear parking sensors.
TrailSport
Ready to do some off-roading? Then, the Pilot TrailSport is the trim for you. Priced at $44,620, the TrailSport includes standard all-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and an off-road-tuned suspension with higher ground clearance. The TrailSport also features a gloss black front grille, synthetic leather upholstery with eye-catching orange stitching, and a surround-view camera system for navigating tight parking spots and off-road situations.
The underbody skid plates and an off-road stability management system make a Pilot with the TrailSport trim a legit off-road vehicle. The panoramic sunroof, 120 VAC power outlet, heated steering wheel, and second-row captain’s chairs bump the Pilot driving experience a couple of notches higher.
Touring
The 2024 Honda Pilot Touring trim level ups the ante from the EX-L trim. Priced at $47,220, it adds 20-inch wheels, a gloss black front grille and gloss black roof rails, dual chrome exhaust outlets and a one-touch power panoramic moonroof. Additional conveniences include a hands-free power tailgate with walk away close, and all doors have smart entry with walk away auto lock.
The acoustic laminate glass is in the windshield and the front door windows. The Touring trim includes the Honda Satellite-linked navigation system and a rocking Bose sound system with 12 speakers, including the subwoofer. Wi-Fi hotspot capability is a nice feature for everyone riding in the Pilot.
Elite
We’ve reached the pinnacle of the Honda Pilot trim levels in the Elite trim. Priced at $51,720, it goes beyond the Touring trim with even more premium options. All-wheel drive is standard for the Elite trim. It also provides a surround-view camera system, head-up display, and a 10.2-inch driver information interface screen. The outboard second-row seats are heated, while the front seats are heated and ventilated. The steering wheel and wiper zone are both heated. Considering all the included features, the Elite trim puts the Pilot on par with much more expensive luxury vehicles.
Honda Passport Trim Levels
EX-L
The entry-level trim for the 2024 Honda Passport is the EX-L trim level. There is no feature-lacking, basic vehicle when you buy this Passport model. With pricing starting at $41,900, The EX-L provides many options, including 20-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, a power liftgate, and Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system.
Inside, there are leather seating surfaces and heated, power-adjustable front seats. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard. The EX-L also comes with wireless smartphone charging, a seven-speaker audio system, and a good number of safety features, including blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.
TrailSport
The 2024 Honda Passport TrailSport model takes the feature-rich EX-L trim and increases off-road capability. Priced at $44,500, the TrailSport introduces a specialized off-road-tuned suspension, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels paired with 245/60R18 all-terrain tires, and a 0.4-inch increase in front and rear track width to increase off-road stability. LED fog lights and gorgeous orange interior contrast stitching add a touch of flair. The navigation system becomes an additional feature, catering to adventure-seekers exploring off the beaten path.
Black Edition
The 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition is the top trim level, similar to the Elite trim for the Honda Pilot. Available at a starting price of $47,970, the Black Edition builds upon the EX-L and TrailSport features. With a name like “Black Edition,” you’d expect black elements and be right.
There are black-painted 20-inch wheels and exterior trim, including the grille and moldings. The seats are made of perforated leather upholstery, with the outbound rear seats and front seats being heated. As well, the front seats are ventilated. The steering wheel is heated, and there is a pumping 540-Watt 10-speaker premium audio system.
Engine and Drivetrain Options
It would be logical to assume the engines in the Pilot and the Passport are the same – 3.5-liter V6 with a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. That would be the wrong assumption. Yes, the engines have the same displacement (3471 cc), the same compression ratio (11.5:1), the same torque (262 lb-ft), and very similar horsepower (285 hp for the Pilot, 280 for the Passport), but they have two key differences.
The Honda Pilot’s engine has a 24-valve dual overhead cam with variable timing control (VTC) and variable cylinder management (VCM). The Honda Passport’s engine is a 24-valve single overhead cam with only variable cylinder management (VCM).
What does this mean?
The Pilot has a more advanced engine than the Passport. Combine that with the Pilot’s 10-speed automatic transmission and the Passport’s 9-speed automatic; the difference becomes evident in their fuel economy. The Pilot is the larger vehicle, but with the more advanced drivetrain, it achieves better fuel economy on the highway than the Passport.
Perhaps only the engineers at Honda could explain why the Pilot receives the premium drivetrain. The vehicles are so similar and have nearly identical pricing. Yet, the Pilot comes out ahead when comparing drivetrains.
Exterior Dimensions Comparison
For comparison purposes we’ve provided a table with the exterior dimensions of the 2024 Honda Pilot vs Passport. The Pilot is the larger vehicle, but interestingly, the Passport is higher with a larger ground clearance.
| Exterior | 2024 Honda Pilot | 2024 Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Length (in.) | 199.9 | 189.1 |
| Width (in.) | 78.5 | 78.6 |
| Height (in.) | 71.0 | 72.2 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 113.8 | 110.9 |
| Ground Clearance (in.) | 7.3 | 8.1 |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 4660 | 4262 |
| Tow Capacity (lbs) | 5000 | 5000 |
Interior Dimensions Comparison
A comparison of the interior dimensions of the 2024 Honda Pilot vs Passport. Both vehicles have a spacious interior and very similar passenger room, the exception being the much larger cargo capacity of the Pilot due to the three rows of seating.
| Interior | Honda Pilot | Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Headroom (front) | 39.1 | 39.5 |
| Shoulder Room (front) | 61.9 | 62.0 |
| Hiproom (front) | 58.4 | 59.1 |
| Legroom (front) | 41.0 | 40.9 |
| Headroom (middle) | 39.2 | 40.0 |
| Shoulder room (middle) | 61.7 | 61.9 |
| Hiproom (middle) | 57.4 | 57.3 |
| Legroom (middle) | 40.8 | 39.6 |
| Headroom (rear) | 39.3 | – |
| Shoulder Room (rear) | 59.5 | – |
| Hiproom (rear) | 44.6 | – |
| Legroom (rear) | 32.5 | – |
| Cargo Vol. (behind 3rd row) | 22.4 | – |
| Cargo Vol. (behind 2nd row) | 60.1 | 50.5 |
| Cargo Vol. (behind 1st row) | 112.1 | 100.7 |
| Passenger Vol. | 154.9 | 114.9 |
Fuel Economy Comparison
There is very little difference between the 2024 Honda Pilot and the 2024 Honda Passport MPG rating. In fact, the larger Pilot has better highway fuel efficiency, as discussed in the engine options section of this article. The values provided are EPA mileage ratings.
| EPA Mileage | Honda Pilot | Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| City MPG | 19 | 19 |
| Highway MPG | 25 | 24 |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) | 18.5 | 19.5 |
Infotainment Options
Honda Pilot
The 2024 Honda Pilot has a user-friendly infotainment system, offering a 7-inch touchscreen in the base models and a 9-inch touchscreen interface in the EX-L, TrailSport, Touring and Elite trims. All Pilot trims provide Bluetooth connectivity, speed-sensitive volume compensation, HondaLink, USB-A and USB-C ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The upper trim levels offer wireless compatibility. EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite trims also provide a wireless phone charger, CabinTalk in-car PA system, HD Radio and SiriusXM. Only the Elite trim offers an upsized driver information interface screen: 10.2 inches vs 7 inches in all the lower trim levels.
Honda Passport
There are only a few infotainment feature changes across the trim levels of the 2024 Honda Passport. All trim levels offer:
- 8-inch touchscreen interface
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Speed-sensitive volume compensation
- Apple CarPlay compatibility
- Android Auto compatibility
- Wireless phone charger
- SiriusXM
- HD Radio
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- HondaLink
The top trim level – Black Edition – differentiates itself with a premium sound system and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Both the Black Edition and TrailSport offer the Honda Satellite-linked navigation system.
Final Thoughts
The Honda Pilot and Honda Passport SUVs are both excellent vehicles. Which would I choose? That depends. If interior space is the most significant deciding factor, as in I need more than five seats, then it’s a no-brainer and I’d go with the Pilot. If five seats were enough, the decision becomes more difficult.
The Pilot offers a lower entry-level price point. The LX trim has many features and the same drivetrain as the premium trim levels. If price is the biggest consideration, the Pilot may be the ideal choice.
But if price and seating weren’t deciding factors, the Passport may be the right choice from a fun and drivability perspective. It’s a little smaller, easier to manoeuvre, and loaded with features even in the entry-level trim. It may also rank a little higher on the “coolness” scale, being a newer, more unknown model. In the end, though, both are great vehicles. You can’t go wrong with either. That said, a comparison to the competition, such as the Toyota Highlander or Subaru Ascent, may be wise.
Thanks for taking the time to read this comparison of the Honda Pilot vs Passport. We hope you found it helpful. Please share this article on your social media. If you’re looking for a slightly smaller Honda vehicle, check out our article on the Honda CR-V. Cheers!
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