Are you in the market for a new SUV? Perhaps you want to upgrade from your five-seat sedan or need a dependable SUV as your family’s first vehicle purchase. As you start your buying journey, you may encounter the Nissan Pathfinder and the Honda Pilot. These two vehicles are robust SUVs with plenty of features that appeal to large crews with small children. Below, you can read about these two vehicles’ key differences in terms of several factors so that you can decide which is best for you.
Engine and Fuel Economy
We’re starting off this comparison with a stark similarity, as the Pathfinder and the Pilot equip similar engines. They both have a 3.5-liter V6 engine. Both vehicles are pretty comparable in terms of power, although the Pathfinder’s engine prevails with 284 horsepower, while the Pilot’s engine sits back at 280 horsepower. This difference isn’t enough to be noticeable to an everyday driver, though, so you can expect similar capabilities in terms of engine performance.
As far as fuel economy goes, the Pathfinder wins. It can achieve up to 27 miles per gallon when you drive on the highway only. When you transition to city roads, there’s still plenty to talk about in terms of fuel economy. You can get up to 21 miles per gallon on city roads, which is quite impressive for an SUV of its size. This equates to a combined fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon.
While the Pathfinder is superior in terms of fuel economy, the Pilot isn’t completely left in the dust. You can get up to 19 miles per gallon on city roads and up to 26 miles per gallon on the highway. These figures average out to 22 miles per gallon of combined fuel efficiency, meaning you can get some serious value every time you stop at the gas pump.
Performance
Both vehicles come with a nine-speed automatic transmission, meaning you won’t have to give a second thought to shifting gears. With either vehicle, you’ll enjoy a smooth driving experience as the driver. Plus, your passengers can enjoy a smooth ride and sleep peacefully on long trips. They both also come with an available all-wheel drive system to provide ample traction on tough terrain.
In the Pilot, you can experience additional capability thanks to the Intelligent Traction Management system. The Pathfinder’s Intelligent 4×4 system is a bit more advanced, as it has seven drive and terrain modes from which to choose. You can conquer elements like gravel, snow, mud, and more with this system in place.
The Pathfinder also triumphs over the Pilot in terms of towing capacity. Depending on what kind of towing configuration you opt for, you can tow up to 5,000 pounds with the Pilot. The Pathfinder comes in with a strong retaliation, as it can tow up to 6,000 pounds depending on your towing configuration. You may keep this detail in mind as you’re considering your vehicle purchase, as the Pathfinder may offer the extra “oomph” you need to have a fun weekend with your fishing boat, kayaks, or other recreational items.
It’s easy to read details on these vehicles’ performance, but you may have a hard time visualizing their capabilities. To get a better idea of how the Pathfinder performs, you can visit our dealership at Reiselman Nissan in Kansas City. While you’re here, you can test drive the Pathfinder and try out any other new Nissan vehicle that catches your eye.
Safety Features
Both the Pathfinder and the Pilot prioritize safety, so you can feel confident driving either. The Pilot comes equipped with the Honda Sensing Suite. When the vehicle activates these features, they use sensor inputs to issue alerts so that the driver can remain more aware while they’re operating the vehicle. While the Pilot comes standard with some safety features like the Collision Mitigation Braking System and the Lane Keeping Assist System, the Pathfinder is more comprehensive.
Every trim level of the Pathfinder comes with the Pathfinder Standard Safety Shield 360 system, which includes six safety features. These features are high beam assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. If you desire, you can get additional available features like ProPILOT Assist, which reads the road and adjusts your route for optimal efficiency and safety.
Technology & Infotainment Features
Both the Pilot and the Pathfinder come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, meaning you can connect your desired device and pull up navigation instructions, music, and podcasts for any road trip you have. No matter what temperature it is outside, you and your passengers can enjoy the Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system with each vehicle.
The Pathfinder is equipped for comfort and enjoyment, as you can get the available panoramic moonroof. This moonroof opens up to the night sky, allowing your passengers to marvel at the stars. If you need a break from the sun during the day, you can activate the power cover to access some shade. Other can’t-miss technological elements of the Pathfinder include rain-sensing windshield wipers, second-row heated seats, climate-controlled front seats, and a remote engine start system.
Cargo Space
Depending on what design you choose, you can get both the Pathfinder and the Pilot with a seven-seat or eight-seat configuration. The cargo space is pretty similar, as you can access around 16 cubic feet of space when the seats are in use in each vehicle. When you fold down the seats, you can access about 80 cubic feet of space within each vehicle, which is more than enough for your family’s luggage and adventure gear.
While the Nissan Pathfinder and the Honda Pilot are both reliable SUVs, the Pathfinder prevails in several key areas like fuel economy and safety features. Start your buying journey with the Nissan brand by visiting our dealership today to view our complete inventory. You may also contact our team ahead of time to learn more about our financing options if that’s something of interest to you. Once we meet in person, we’ll help you find a vehicle to test drive and set you up with a service plan so that you can maintain your vehicle for the long term.
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