2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Lexus NX

$40,200 · Crossover

$44,175 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Lexus NX often comes down to size versus efficiency and luxury, a common dilemma for crossover shoppers. If sheer size matters, the Pilot is significantly longer at 199.9 inches compared to the NX's 183.5 inches, offering more presence on the road. However, the Pilot demands more at the pump, delivering only 22 combined MPG, while the Lexus NX boasts an impressive 40 combined MPG. Power also differs, with the Pilot's 285 hp substantially outpacing the NX's 240 hp, though the Lexus requires premium fuel. The Pilot starts at a lower MSRP of $40,200 versus the NX's $44,175. Ultimately, buyers must weigh the Pilot's raw power and lower entry cost against the NX's superior fuel economy and smaller footprint for urban driving.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lexus NX

The 2026 Lexus NX is the clear winner for commuters due to its outstanding 40 combined MPG, which significantly lowers running costs over city drives.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot is better suited for families due to its larger exterior dimensions, including greater length and height, suggesting superior interior and cargo space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is preferred by enthusiasts because it offers substantially more output with 285 horsepower compared to the Lexus NX's 240 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot presents better initial value with a lower MSRP of $40,200, despite having less fuel efficiency.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You prioritize raw engine performance, as the Pilot delivers 285 hp versus the NX's 240 hp.
You need the lowest possible initial purchase price, starting at $40,200.
Your typical loads require maximum utility, benefiting from the Pilot's larger overall size (199.9 inches long).

Choose the Lexus NX if...

Fuel efficiency is paramount; the NX delivers an exceptional 40 combined MPG.
You frequently navigate tight city streets, as the NX is smaller (73.4 inches wide versus 78.5 inches).
You prefer maximizing your cubic feet of storage, as the NX offers 22.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Lexus NX
Length	199.9"	183.5"
Width	78.5"	73.4"
Height	71.0"	66.1"
Wheelbase	113.8"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Lexus
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	240 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	—
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	42/38 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	40 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	609.0/551.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Lexus
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	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	9.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	—
Speaker System	7	10
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	Lexus
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	38.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	56.3 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	56.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	36.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	54.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	52.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	—
Tire Size	255/50R	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Lexus
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	1 yr./ 10000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Lexus NX.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Lexus NX than the 2025 Honda Pilot?

The 2026 Lexus NX has a starting MSRP of $44,175, which is $3,975 more than the 2025 Honda Pilot's starting price of $40,200. This difference is significant when budgeting for a new crossover purchase.

Which vehicle will save me more money on fuel costs?

The 2026 Lexus NX offers dramatically better fuel economy at 40 combined MPG versus the Honda Pilot's 22 combined MPG. This 18 MPG difference means substantial long-term savings, even though the NX recommends premium fuel.

Is the Honda Pilot substantially more powerful than the Lexus NX?

Yes, the Pilot has a noticeable power advantage, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Lexus NX lags behind in pure power metrics, generating 240 horsepower.

Which vehicle is physically larger for carrying passengers and cargo?

The 2025 Honda Pilot is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 199.9 inches in length. However, based on the specs provided, the Lexus NX offers slightly more dedicated cargo space at 22.7 cu ft compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.

Do both crossovers come standard with front-wheel drive?

Yes, according to the base specifications provided, both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Lexus NX feature a front-wheel drive configuration.

What are the primary transmission differences between the two models?

The Honda Pilot utilizes a conventional 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, offering distinct gear changes. In contrast, the Lexus NX employs a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) for smoother, gearless acceleration.