2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Comparison Overview
Deciding between sheer utility and refined efficiency often confuses three-row seekers, but this comparison highlights two vastly different crossover philosophies. The 2025 Honda Pilot demands attention with its size, boasting 285 hp and a substantial 199.9-inch length, making it the clear champion for hauling people and cargo, offering 18.6 cu ft behind the last row. Conversely, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA, priced slightly higher at $41,500 compared to the Pilot's $40,200, prioritizes efficiency. While the GLA produces significantly less power at 221 hp, it nets an impressive 7 MPG advantage, achieving 29 combined MPG on regular unleaded—a key saving, even though it technically requires premium fuel. For sheer daily utility, the Pilot’s larger footprint dominates, but the GLA's efficiency and compact size appeal to city dwellers needing prestige over outright room.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA wins for commuters due to its superior 29 combined MPG efficiency, saving fuel on daily drives.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the undisputed family choice, offering a much larger exterior (199.9 inches long) and more usable cargo space (18.6 cu ft).
2025 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is the choice for power enthusiasts, delivering 285 hp compared to the GLA's 221 hp.
2025 Honda Pilot
The Pilot offers significantly more vehicle size and power for a lower base MSRP of $40,200.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You frequently need maximum interior capacity, leveraging its larger dimensions (199.9 inches long).
- You need the highest outright power, as it offers 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer sticking to regular unleaded fuel for lower running costs.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA if...
- Fuel efficiency is paramount, as the GLA achieves 7 MPG better combined efficiency (29 MPG).
- You prefer a smaller, more maneuverable vehicle for tight urban parking (173.6 inches long).
- You are willing to pay slightly more ($41,500) for the Mercedes-Benz badge prestige.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Mercedes-Benz GLA |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 173.6" |
| Width | 78.5" | 72.2" |
| Height | 71.0" | 63.5" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 107.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 221 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1800 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 | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automated manual |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 26/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 351.0/459.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 13.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Driver Assisted Parking Assist | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 10.25 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 | — | 6 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 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 | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 54.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Run Flat Tires | — | ✓ |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 6 yr./ 62000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA.
How significant is the power difference between these two crossovers?
There is a substantial 64 horsepower gap; the 2025 Honda Pilot leads comfortably with 285 hp, while the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA offers 221 hp. This difference will be noticeable during highway passing maneuvers.
Which car is better for saving money at the pump?
The 2026 GLA is the clear winner here, offering 29 combined MPG compared to the Pilot's 22 combined MPG, meaning a 7 MPG advantage for the smaller crossover.
Is the required fuel type a factor in the long-term cost?
Yes, the Pilot runs on regular unleaded, whereas the GLA requires premium unleaded, which adds to the ongoing operational cost despite its better MPG rating.
Does the Pilot’s extra size translate to usable cargo space?
Absolutely; the Pilot offers 18.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly outclassing the GLA’s 15.4 cu ft, making it much better suited for family trips and large grocery runs.
Why is the GLA priced higher than the Pilot despite having less power?
The price difference ($41,500 vs $40,200) likely reflects brand positioning, as the GLA offers luxury branding in a smaller package, whereas the Pilot offers superior raw utility metrics for a lower base cost.
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