2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
Comparison Overview
The battle between the robust 2025 Honda Pilot and the newly refreshed 2026 Hyundai Palisade showcases a classic rivalry in the three-row crossover segment. The Pilot arrives packing a potent 285 hp V6 engine and a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, suggesting a more refined on-road demeanor, despite its 22 combined MPG efficiency. Conversely, the Palisade counters with a slightly higher 287 hp output, even though its 8-speed transmission might feel a bit less dynamic, but it offers a slightly more usable 19.1 cu ft of cargo space behind the third row. While the Pilot's $40,200 MSRP is slightly higher, the Palisade undercuts it at $39,435, nudging it ahead in initial budget appeal. Both share a similar footprint, though the Pilot stands taller at 71.0 inches compared to the Palisade’s 69.5 inches, indicating differing philosophies on presence and interior headroom. This contest pits Honda's proven powertrain against Hyundai's sharper value proposition.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot edges out the competition with a superior 22 combined MPG rating compared to the Palisade's 21 MPG.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offers slightly more utility with 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade wins narrowly due to its slightly higher peak horsepower rating of 287 hp over the Pilot's 285 hp.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade secures the value win by offering a lower starting MSRP of $39,435 compared to the Pilot's $40,200.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You prioritize a slightly more efficient vehicle, achieving 27 Highway MPG.
- You prefer the smoother operation and extra gear ratios provided by the 10-speed automatic transmission.
- You want the added assurance of a taller stance, with a vehicle height of 71.0 inches.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- Your primary concern is budget, as the MSRP is $765 less at $39,435.
- You require the maximum available storage, benefiting from 19.1 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer the marginally higher engine output with 287 horsepower available.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 199.2" |
| Width | 78.5" | 78.0" |
| Height | 71.0" | 69.5" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 116.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 3.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 287 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 19/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 361.0/475.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 19.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | — |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 44.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 61.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 61.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
Which crossover has the superior fuel economy for daily driving?
The 2025 Honda Pilot holds a slight efficiency edge, posting a 22 combined MPG versus the 2026 Hyundai Palisade’s 21 combined MPG. The Pilot also offers a better highway rating at 27 MPG versus 25 MPG for the Palisade.
Is there a significant power difference between the two models?
The difference in power output is minimal, as the 2026 Palisade offers 287 horsepower compared to the Pilot's 285 horsepower. Both utilize regular unleaded fuel, so performance characteristics will feel very similar in everyday driving scenarios.
How do the transmissions compare in these FWD models?
The Honda Pilot utilizes a more advanced 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, designed potentially for smoother transitions and efficiency. The Hyundai Palisade employs a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Which vehicle offers more interior space for luggage?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is the winner for pure cargo capacity, offering 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, edging out the Honda Pilot's 18.6 cubic feet.
Is the Honda Pilot significantly larger than the Palisade?
While both are similarly sized three-row crossovers, the Honda Pilot is taller, measuring 71.0 inches in height compared to the Palisade’s 69.5 inches. The Pilot is also slightly longer at 199.9 inches versus 199.2 inches for the Palisade.
Which vehicle is the better deal based on starting price?
Based purely on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is the better value proposition at $39,435, saving buyers $765 compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot starting at $40,200.
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