Honda Odyssey vs Pilot: Minivan or Three-Row SUV
Families shopping for a Honda with room for eight often land on the same question: minivan or three-row SUV. If you carry kids and gear around Victorville, Hesperia or Apple Valley, here is how Honda’s specification sheets compare the 2027 Odyssey with the 2026 Pilot, from cargo space and third-row legroom to towing and all-wheel drive.
- 32.8 vs 18.6 cu ft of standard cargo space behind the third row, Odyssey vs Pilot
- 5,000 lbs Pilot AWD tow rating, against 3,500 lbs for the Odyssey
- Power sliding doors on every Odyssey trim
Table of Contents
- The Short Answer
- Odyssey vs Pilot at a Glance
- Cargo and Space
- Engines and Fuel Economy
- Trims
- Technology and Safety
- Which Fits Your Family
- Honest Limits
- FAQ
The Short Answer
The 2027 Odyssey has power sliding doors on every trim and the most cargo space behind the third row. The Pilot is the three-row SUV, with available all-wheel drive, a 5,000 pound tow rating and more ground clearance. Both seat up to eight, both use a V6 with a 10-speed automatic, and both have Honda Sensing® on every trim. This page compares the 2027 Odyssey with the 2026 Pilot, because those are the model years Honda’s specification sheets list.
Odyssey vs Pilot at a Glance
| Spec | 2027 Odyssey | 2026 Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V6, 280 hp, 262 lb-ft | 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | FWD on Sport and EX-L, AWD on others (available on Sport and EX-L) |
| Seating | 8 | 8 (7 on TrailSport) |
| Length | 205.2 in. | 200.1 in. |
| Height | 69.6 in. | 70.9 to 72.0 in. depending on trim |
| Wheelbase | 118.1 in. | 113.8 in. |
| Towing | Up to 3,500 lbs with accessory towing package | 3,500 lbs (2WD), 5,000 lbs (AWD) |
| Ground clearance | Not listed by Honda | 7.3 in. (8.3 in. on TrailSport AWD) |
Cargo and Passenger Space
| Spec | 2027 Odyssey | 2026 Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Behind third row (standard / max) | 32.8 / 38.6 cu ft. | 18.6 / 21.8 to 22.4 cu ft. |
| Behind second row (standard / max) | 86.6 / 91.0 cu ft. | 48.5 / 59.5 to 60.1 cu ft. |
| Behind first row (standard / max) | 140.7 / 155.8 cu ft. | 87.0 / 111.8 to 113.7 cu ft. |
| Passenger volume | 160.1 cu ft. | 158.4 cu ft. (Sport, EX-L), 154.9 cu ft. (others) |
| Legroom, first / second / third row | 40.9 / 40.9 / 38.1 in. | 41.0 / 40.8 / 32.5 in. |
The Odyssey’s cargo area behind the third row is about 14 cubic feet larger than the Pilot’s, and its third-row legroom is 38.1 inches against 32.5. If adults will ride in the back row, the Odyssey gives them more room. Honda also lists power sliding doors on every Odyssey trim. Read our 2027 Odyssey guide for more on its trims and features.
Engines and Fuel Economy
| Model and drivetrain | City / Highway / Combined (mpg) |
|---|---|
| Odyssey (FWD) | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| Pilot Sport and EX-L, 2WD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| Pilot Sport and EX-L, AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| Pilot TrailSport (AWD) | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| Pilot Touring, Elite, Black Edition (AWD) | 19 / 25 / 21 |
Both are close on fuel economy. The Odyssey is front-wheel drive only on Honda’s sheet, so if you want all-wheel drive for the High Desert, the Pilot is the one to consider.
Trims
- Odyssey: EX-L, Sport-L, Touring and Elite. Honda lists a 12.8-inch rear entertainment screen, an HDMI interface and a CabinWatch rear seat monitor on the Touring and Elite, and CabinTalk on all trims.
- Pilot: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition. The TrailSport adds all-terrain tires, a full-size spare, Trail Torque Logic and second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger seating. Our Pilot vs Passport comparison covers how it compares with the Passport.
Technology and Safety
Honda lists Honda Sensing® as standard on both, including Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist. The Pilot lists Google built-in, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster on every trim, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Odyssey leans on its family features, such as CabinTalk, power sliding doors and the available rear entertainment system.
Which One Fits Your Family
- Kids, car seats and easy access: the Odyssey, with power sliding doors on every trim and the most space behind the third row.
- Adults in the third row: the Odyssey, at 38.1 inches of third-row legroom against 32.5.
- All-wheel drive or heavier towing: the Pilot, with Honda’s 5,000 pound AWD tow rating against the Odyssey’s 3,500.
- Dirt roads: the Pilot, with 7.3 inches of unladen ground clearance and 8.3 on the TrailSport. Honda does not list a figure for the Odyssey.
Honest Limits
- This page compares the 2027 Odyssey with the 2026 Pilot, because those are the specifications Honda publishes. Ask us what is on the lot for each model year.
- Honda’s Odyssey sheet does not list ground clearance, and the Odyssey is not offered with all-wheel drive on that sheet.
- The Pilot’s third row has less legroom than the Odyssey’s, and the TrailSport seats seven, not eight.
- Neither is a heavy-duty tow vehicle. Check each tow rating and the towing equipment you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I buy a Honda Odyssey or a Honda Pilot?
It depends on how you use the vehicle. Honda lists the Odyssey with power sliding doors on every trim and more cargo space behind the third row. The Pilot is available with all-wheel drive, a 5,000 pound AWD tow rating and more ground clearance.
Q: Does the Honda Odyssey have more room than the Pilot?
Yes, in most measures Honda lists. The Odyssey has 160.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 38.1 inches of third-row legroom. The 2026 Pilot lists 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 32.5 inches of third-row legroom.
Q: Does the Honda Odyssey come with all-wheel drive?
Honda’s 2027 Odyssey specifications list front-wheel drive only. The 2026 Pilot is offered with all-wheel drive, which is standard on most trims.
Q: How much can the Honda Odyssey and Pilot tow?
Honda lists up to 3,500 pounds for the Odyssey with its accessory towing package. The 2026 Pilot is rated at 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive and 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive.
Q: How many people does the Odyssey seat compared with the Pilot?
Honda lists seating for eight on the Odyssey. The 2026 Pilot seats eight on most trims, and seven on the TrailSport, which has second-row captain’s chairs.
Q: Do the Odyssey and Pilot have the same engine?
They are similar. Honda lists a 3.5-liter V6 with a 10-speed automatic on both: 280 hp and 262 lb-ft for the 2027 Odyssey, and 285 hp and 262 lb-ft for the 2026 Pilot.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is for comparison only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive, road conditions and vehicle condition. AWD cannot provide traction in every situation. Always drive for the conditions. Towing varies by configuration and requires accessory towing equipment on the Odyssey; see the Owner’s Manual. Equipment and availability vary by trim. Honda Sensing® is a driver-assist system and does not replace safe driving. Information is based on Honda’s published 2027 Odyssey and 2026 Pilot specifications and is subject to change.
Ready to see one in person? Visit Valley Hi Honda at 15710 Valley Park Ln in Victorville, call (760) 962-9600, browse new Honda inventory, or get a value for your trade. Inventory changes often, so call before you visit.
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