2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Nissan Murano
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the roomy 2025 Honda Pilot and the sleeker 2026 Nissan Murano often boils down to size versus refinement. If maximum people-moving capacity is key, the Pilot is the clear choice, boasting nearly 7 inches more length (199.9 inches vs. 192.9 inches) and significantly more usable space overall. However, the Pilot starts slightly lower at an MSRP of $40,200 compared to the Murano's $41,670. Performance leans toward Honda, with the Pilot pushing out 285 hp versus the Murano's 241 hp, though the Murano offers a slight MPG edge at 23 combined versus the Pilot's 22. Interestingly, the Pilot only offers 18.6 cu ft of cargo space when the third row is up, while the Murano, likely a five-seater, delivers a massive 32.9 cu ft. Your daily needs, prioritizing passenger hauling or overall utility volume, will dictate the winner here.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Nissan Murano
The 2026 Nissan Murano wins for commuters due to its slightly better combined MPG of 23 and standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the family winner because its greater overall length (199.9 inches) typically translates to superior third-row seating and passenger space.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot appeals more to driving enthusiasts by offering 285 hp, significantly more than the Murano's 241 hp.
2025 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot offers substantially more power for a lower starting price point of $40,200 versus $41,670.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You need the maximum horsepower available, as the Pilot delivers 285 hp compared to 241 hp.
- You must accommodate more passengers daily, thanks to its larger exterior dimensions (199.9 inches long).
- You want the lowest barrier to entry, with a base MSRP starting at $40,200.
Choose the Nissan Murano if...
- Maximum contained storage volume is critical, as the Murano boasts 32.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prioritize slight efficiency gains, achieving 23 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22.
- You value standard traction benefits from its base All-Wheel Drive configuration.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Nissan Murano |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 192.9" |
| Width | 78.5" | 78.0" |
| Height | 71.0" | 67.9" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 111.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 241 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4400 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 | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 21/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 392.7/504.9 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 18.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | 6 |
| 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 | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 44.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 60.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 56.9 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 | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 58.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 56.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | P255/55R20 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 20 in. |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Nissan Murano.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Honda Pilot compared to the 2026 Nissan Murano?
The Honda Pilot has a notable power advantage, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. In comparison, the 2026 Nissan Murano produces 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, giving the Pilot an extra 44 hp.
Which crossover is generally better for highway commuting based on fuel economy?
The 2026 Nissan Murano edges out the Pilot slightly for efficiency, achieving 27 MPG Highway versus the Pilot's identical 27 MPG Highway, but the Murano also nets 1 MPG better in the city (21 vs 19).
Does the size difference affect interior utility between these two vehicles?
Yes, the Pilot is nearly 7 inches longer overall (199.9 inches vs 192.9 inches), suggesting more space for passengers. However, the Pilot’s listed cargo capacity is only 18.6 cu ft, significantly less than the Murano's 32.9 cu ft, indicating the Pilot's larger volume is mostly dedicated to seating rows.
Are there major differences in their base drivetrains?
Absolutely; the base 2025 Honda Pilot comes equipped with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the 2026 Nissan Murano comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) paired to a 9-speed automatic.
If I frequently use regular unleaded gas, are there any major cost savings between the two models?
Both vehicles accept regular unleaded fuel, meaning no premium fill-ups are required. The Pilot has a slight MSRP advantage at $40,200 compared to the Murano's $41,670, offering about $1,470 savings upfront.
How does the transmission setup differ between the Pilot and the Murano?
The 2025 Honda Pilot utilizes a modern 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission to manage its higher horsepower output. The 2026 Nissan Murano uses a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool