2026 Honda Pilot vs 2027 Honda Passport: Which Three-Row or Five-Seat SUV Fits?

The Pilot and the Passport share a V6, a 10-speed automatic and a spot near the top of Honda’s SUV lineup, so shoppers in Victorville, Hesperia and Apple Valley often ask which one to look at. The short answer comes down to how many seats you need and how you use the space behind them. Here is how Honda’s own numbers line up for the 2026 Pilot and the 2027 Passport.

• Up to 8 seats vs 5: the Pilot offers three rows, and the Passport seats five.
• 5,000 lbs: the maximum towing Honda lists for the Pilot with all-wheel drive and for the Passport.
• Up to 9.6 in: the unladen ground clearance Honda lists for Passport TrailSport trims.

Table of Contents

• The Short Version
• Side by Side
• Seating and Cargo
• Towing and Capability
• Fuel Economy
• Who Each One Fits
• Good to Know
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Short Version

Both SUVs use a 3.5-liter V6 with a 10-speed automatic. The Pilot is Honda’s three-row family SUV, seating eight on most trims and seven on TrailSport. The Passport is a five-seat SUV with all-wheel drive standard on every trim. If you regularly carry more than five people, the Pilot is the one to look at. If you carry gear more than passengers, or you want the highest ground clearance Honda lists, take a closer look at the Passport.

Side by Side

Seating and Cargo

This is where the two separate most clearly. The Pilot’s third row lets it carry up to eight, and Honda lists 18.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind that row, enough for everyday errands with every seat in use. Fold the third row and the Pilot lists 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row.

The Passport gives up the third row and lists 44 cubic feet behind the second row. With the rear seats folded, Honda lists a maximum of up to 104.6 cubic feet for the Passport and up to 113.7 cubic feet for the Pilot, so the larger Pilot still comes out ahead on total space.

Towing and Capability

Honda lists a 5,000 lb maximum for the Passport on every trim. The Pilot also lists 5,000 lbs with all-wheel drive, but 3,500 lbs with front-wheel drive, so the drivetrain matters if you plan to tow. Towing capacity varies by configuration, so check the Owner’s Manual for your exact setup.

Both SUVs use Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system, and the TrailSport versions add Trail Torque Logic. The Passport lists higher ground clearance, up to 9.6 inches on TrailSport trims, compared with up to 8.3 inches for the Pilot TrailSport. If your weekends involve dirt roads toward Stoddard Valley, Johnson Valley or Big Bear, that gap is worth noticing. For more on the Passport, read our posts on the Passport TrailSport ground clearance and what is new for 2027.

Fuel Economy

Honda lists EPA estimates in a similar range. The Pilot lists 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined mpg with all-wheel drive, and 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined with front-wheel drive on the trims that offer it. TrailSport versions list 18 city, 23 highway and 20 combined. The Passport lists 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined on non-TrailSport trims and 18 city, 22 highway and 20 combined on TrailSport trims. Both hold 18.5 gallons of regular unleaded.

Who Each One Fits

The Pilot fits families and carpools that need a third row, drivers who want the option of front-wheel drive, and anyone who wants the most total cargo volume Honda lists in this pair. The Passport fits drivers who need five seats rather than eight, want all-wheel drive on every trim, and want the higher ground clearance Honda lists for desert roads and trails.

Not sure which way to go? Browse new Honda inventory and come see both in person.

Good to Know

These two are different model years, so compare them as a guide and not a ruling. Honda lists horsepower and torque slightly higher for the Pilot, and the figures on this page come from Honda’s own specification pages. Trim, drivetrain and equipment change several of the numbers above, so ask us to confirm what applies to the exact SUV you are considering. Fuel economy and towing vary with how and where you drive, and the High Desert’s heat and grades are worth keeping in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main difference between the Honda Pilot and the Honda Passport?

The Pilot is a three-row SUV that seats up to eight, and the Passport is a five-seat SUV. Both use a 3.5-liter V6 and a 10-speed automatic.

Q: Which tows more, the Pilot or the Passport?

Honda lists a 5,000 lb maximum for the Passport on every trim. The Pilot also lists 5,000 lbs with all-wheel drive, but 3,500 lbs with front-wheel drive. Towing capacity varies by configuration, so check your Owner’s Manual.

Q: Does the Honda Passport have a third row?

No. The Passport seats five. If you need to carry more than five people, the Pilot offers a third row and seats up to eight, or seven on TrailSport.

Q: Which has more ground clearance?

Honda lists unladen ground clearance of 8.3 to 9.6 inches for the Passport, depending on trim, and 7.3 to 8.3 inches for the Pilot, depending on trim. The highest figures are on the TrailSport versions.

Q: Do the Pilot and Passport have all-wheel drive?

Every Passport has i-VTM4 all-wheel drive. The Pilot offers front-wheel drive or i-VTM4 all-wheel drive depending on trim, and the TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition versions are all-wheel drive only.

EPA fuel economy ratings are estimates; actual results vary. Horsepower is SAE net. Towing varies by configuration; see Owner’s Manual. Cargo volumes are Honda’s SAE J1100 figures. i-VTM4 is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Questions about your Honda? Visit Valley Hi Honda at 15710 Valley Park Ln in Victorville, call (760) 962-9600, schedule service online, or see what your current Honda is worth with our trade value tool.

© Valley Hi Honda. All rights reserved.