Are you looking for a three-row SUV? If so, the 2024 Honda Pilot and the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder are excellent choices. These two vehicles are great upgrades for those graduating from a two-row compact or subcompact crossover. Positioned in the midsize SUV segment, they are still easy to manage in urban environments but can easily seat up to eight occupants. They also have smooth and powerful engines, all-wheel drive options, and plenty of tech.
Let us help you choose a winning three-row SUV with this Honda vs. Nissan face-off. We’ll compare each model’s interior, performance, and safety characteristics. You can also check out the 2024 Pilot range at Hendrick Honda Charlotte. Swing by our Charlotte, NC-based showroom and sit down for a chat with our team of Honda enthusiasts.
The 2024 Honda Pilot has 154 cubic feet of interior volume, while the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder only has 148 cubic feet. Hence, the 2024 Pilot offers more space, particularly for second and third-row occupants. Furthermore, all trims have active noise cancelation. This system filters out road and engine noise, preventing it from reaching the passenger cabin. The 2024 Pathfinder doesn’t offer such a feature.
Most trims of these three-row SUVs can seat up to eight occupants, with second and third-row benches. But buyers can pick captain chairs as an option. This replaces the second-row bench with two separate seats, which can be adjusted independently and include armrests. They also create a walk-through passage for easier third-row entry and exit. However, the seating capacity was reduced to seven with captain chairs.
When the third row is deployed, the 2024 Honda Pilot has 19 cubic feet of trunk capacity. This is better than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder’s 17 cubic feet in the same configuration. Furthermore, the 2024 Pilot comes with easily folding second and third-row seats. Hence, buyers can get up to 87 cubic feet of space.
Honda provides buyers with tri-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents and air filtration for all trims. Higher trims come with power-adjustable driver and passenger seats, including heating and ventilation. Heated second-row outboard seats are also available, as is leather upholstery. Meanwhile, a remote engine start feature is also available. This allows you to activate the engine via the key fob and pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin of your 2024 Pilot. The 2024 Pathfinder doesn’t have many of these features.
Smartphone connectivity is amply catered to by both three-row SUVs. They’ve got standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, plus Bluetooth® connectivity. Meanwhile, the 2024 Pilot has a digital gauge cluster for all trims. Lower trims have a 7-inch unit, while higher trims get a 10.2-inch one. The 2024 Pathfinder only offers a digital cluster for higher trims; lower trims have analog gauges. Furthermore, 2024 Pilot buyers can avail themselves of a Bose 12-speaker system and a wireless charging pad. Then, there’s a CabinTalk® in-car PA system for some trims. This enables the driver to easily communicate with third-row occupants via the rear speakers.
The 2024 Honda Pilot has a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system is available. There’s also a TrailSport trim for enhanced off-road capability. This comes with standard all-wheel drive, plus all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and upgraded suspension. There’s also a 1-inch ride height increase.
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder also has a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. Here, the engine makes 284 horsepower for most trims, and 295 horsepower in the Rock Creek trim. A 9-speed automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive are standard. All-wheel drive is available.
The Honda Sensing® suite is a standard fitment for every 2024 Pilot. It comes with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a road departure mitigation system. Automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and a road departure mitigation system are standard too. All trims except the base trim also have a rear cross-traffic monitor and a blind spot information system. A multi-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and low-speed braking control are available. The 2024 Pathfinder isn’t as comprehensively equipped.
The 2024 Honda Pilot is the winner of our Honda vs. Nissan match-up. It outshines the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder in all three of our evaluation criteria. So, why not test-drive a 2024 Pilot and make up your mind? Visit Hendrick Honda Charlotte, and we’ll put you in the driving seat. Then, you can explore our range of attractive offers and financing options to take home your very own brand-new 2024 Honda Pilot.