2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Honda Pilot arrives flexing muscle with 285 hp, promising robust capability and a cavernous 199.9-inch length ideal for hauling. Conversely, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB charms with premium efficiency, boasting a combined 28 MPG versus the Pilot's 22 MPG, despite needing premium fuel. The Pilot dominates raw power, offering a 64 hp advantage over the GLB's 221 hp, while the smaller Mercedes compensates with a more efficient 8-speed automated manual transmission compared to the Honda's 10-speed unit. Furthermore, the GLB offers superior cargo versatility, squeezing 22 cubic feet behind the second row, dwarfing the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft figure, all while carrying a higher MSRP of $43,800 compared to the Honda's $40,200. This clash pits brute force and space against sophisticated frugality and premium badge appeal.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB wins for commuters due to its significantly better 28 MPG combined fuel economy.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot takes the family crown due to its larger physical dimensions and greater overall passenger/cargo volume potential.
2025 Honda Pilot
Enthusiasts will prefer the Pilot's higher output, delivering 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque for a more engaging drive.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Despite the $3,600 higher MSRP, the GLB's superior 6 MPG efficiency advantage offers better long-term running economy.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You prioritize maximum power, as the Pilot churns out 285 horsepower, significantly more than the GLB's 221 hp.
- You need the largest possible footprint, evidenced by the Pilot's 199.9-inch length for increased cabin presence.
- You prefer running on regular unleaded fuel instead of the Mercedes' required premium fuel.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLB if...
- Fuel savings are paramount, as the GLB achieves 28 MPG combined, beating the Pilot's 22 MPG rating.
- You need slightly better cargo access in a more compact package, with the GLB offering 22 cu ft compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
- You desire the prestige and refinement of the Mercedes-Benz brand, justifying the $43,800 starting price.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Mercedes-Benz GLB |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 182.4" |
| Width | 78.5" | 72.2" |
| Height | 71.0" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 111.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | โ | โ |
| Lane Departure Warning | โ | โ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | โ | โ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | โ | โ |
| Driver Attention Alert | โ | โ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | โ | โ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | โ | โ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | โ | โ |
| Front Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Rear Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | โ | โ |
| Electronic Stability Control | โ | โ |
| Traction Control System | โ | โ |
| LATCH System | โ | โ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | โ | โ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | โ | โ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | โ | โ |
| Brake Assist | โ | โ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | โ | โ |
| Automatic Headlights | โ | โ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | โ | โ |
| LED Headlights | โ | โ |
| Daytime Running Lights | โ | โ |
| Front Fog Lights | โ | โ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | โ | โ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | โ | โ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | โ | โ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | โ | โ |
| Engine Immobilizer | โ | โ |
| Brake Drying | โ | โ |
| Brake Preparation System | โ | โ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | โ | โ |
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 | โ | โ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | โ | โ |
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 | โ | โ |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 25/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 28 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 397.5/524.7 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 15.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | โ | โ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Electric Power Steering | โ | โ |
| Rear View Camera | โ | โ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | โ | โ |
| Front Cupholders | โ | โ |
| Rear Cupholders | โ | โ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | โ | โ |
| Front Door Pockets | โ | โ |
| Rear Door Pockets | โ | โ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | โ | โ |
| Front Seatback Storage | โ | โ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | โ | โ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | โ | โ |
| Rear Climate Control | โ | โ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | โ | โ |
| Interior Air Filtration | โ | โ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | โ | โ |
| Front Parking Sensors | โ | โ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | โ | โ |
| Driver Assisted Parking Assist | โ | โ |
| Cruise Control | โ | โ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | โ | โ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | โ | โ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 10.25 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | โ | โ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | โ |
| Speaker System | 7 | โ |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | โ |
| Android Auto (Wired) | โ | โ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | โ | โ |
| USB Port | โ | โ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | โ | โ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | โ | โ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | โ | โ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | โ | 6 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | โ | โ |
| Heated Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | โ | โ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | โ |
| Seat Material: Cloth | โ | โ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | โ | โ |
| 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 | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | โ | 3 |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | โ | Power |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | โ | 3 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | โ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | โ | โ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | โ | โ |
| Folding Center Armrest | โ | โ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | โ | โ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | โ |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | โ |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | โ |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | โ |
| Wheel Material | โ | Alloy |
| Run Flat Tires | โ | โ |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | โ | โ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | โ | โ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | โ | โ |
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. | โ |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | โ | 6 yr./ 62000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Which crossover handles city driving better between the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB is better suited for stop-and-go traffic due to its superior 25 MPG city rating, compared to the Honda Pilot's 19 MPG city rating. Additionally, the GLB's slightly smaller overall dimensions (182.4 inches long) make parking easier.
Is the extra cost of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB worth the fuel savings over the 2025 Honda Pilot?
The GLB has a $3,600 higher MSRP, but it saves 6 combined MPG, using less fuel overall during ownership. If you drive high annual mileage, the fuel savings could offset the initial price premium over time.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Honda Pilot than the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB?
The Honda Pilot delivers 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, giving it a substantial 64 hp advantage over the GLB's 221 hp. This difference means the Pilot will feel noticeably quicker when accelerating onto the highway.
Do both vehicles come standard with front-wheel drive?
Yes, both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB are listed here as standard front-wheel drive (FWD) configurations. They both utilize automatic transmissions, though the Pilot has a 10-speed and the GLB has an 8-speed.
Which vehicle offers more cargo space behind the rear seats?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB provides slightly more accessible cargo room, offering 22 cubic feet compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot's 18.6 cubic feet. This extra capacity is beneficial for grocery runs or luggage.
Does the required fuel type impact the running costs significantly?
Yes, the Pilot requires regular unleaded, while the GLB mandates premium fuel, which adds a noticeable cost increase per fill-up, even with the GLB's better MPG.
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