2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Volvo XC60

$40,200 · Crossover

$49,700 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Honda Pilot blasts onto the scene with 285 horsepower, ready to tackle family duties with its robust size, offering a substantial 18.6 cu ft of cargo space despite its relatively lower $40,200 MSRP. Contrastingly, the sleek 2026 Volvo XC60 trades outright muscle for Scandinavian refinement, boasting superior fuel economy at 26 combined MPG while demanding a $9,500 premium over the Honda, priced at $49,700. While the Pilot delivers 38 more horsepower for spirited acceleration, the XC60 leverages its standard All-Wheel Drive and better efficiency, even requiring premium fuel. The Pilot’s larger footprint (199.9 inches long) prioritizes interior volume, whereas the Volvo emphasizes a more compact, premium driving footprint.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volvo XC60

The 2026 Volvo XC60 offers superior fuel efficiency at 26 combined MPG, translating to lower running costs for daily driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot's significantly larger body provides greater passenger and cargo capacity, which is critical for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot dominates in raw output with 285 horsepower, significantly outgunning the XC60's 247 horsepower rating.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot offers substantially more power for a price tag that is $9,500 lower than the Volvo XC60.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

Maximum power is a priority, as the Pilot unleashes 285 horsepower versus the XC60's 247 hp.
You require the utmost utility, benefiting from the Pilot’s larger dimensions (199.9 inches long) and greater interior space.
Sticking to a tighter budget is essential, given the Pilot's $40,200 MSRP compared to the XC60's $49,700 starting price.

Choose the Volvo XC60 if...

Fuel economy is paramount, highlighted by the XC60’s 26 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22 combined MPG.
You prefer the sure-footedness and traction provided by the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
A more compact exterior size (185.4 inches long) and premium positioning are more appealing than maximizing horsepower.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Volvo XC60
Length	199.9"	185.4"
Width	78.5"	-
Height	71.0"	65.2"
Wheelbase	113.8"	112.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Volvo
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	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Volvo
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	247 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	266 lb-ft
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	Volvo
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Volvo
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	23/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	432.4/564.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Volvo
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	—	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Volvo
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	11.2 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	220W
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	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Volvo
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Volvo
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	58.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	56.4 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	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Volvo
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	56.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	55.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Volvo
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Volvo
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.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Volvo XC60.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Pilot and the 2026 XC60?

The 2025 Honda Pilot is the clear power leader, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through its 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2026 Volvo XC60 offers less output at 247 horsepower, though it has slightly more torque at 266 lb-ft and utilizes an 8-speed automatic.

How does the fuel cost potentially compare between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Volvo XC60 is inherently more efficient, achieving 26 combined MPG compared to the Pilot’s 22 combined MPG, which should save money over time. However, keep in mind the XC60 recommends premium unleaded fuel, which can offset some of those savings compared to the Pilot's regular unleaded requirement.

Which vehicle offers better capability for long road trips in varying weather?

While the Pilot offers superior size, the 2026 Volvo XC60 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, making it potentially more assured in slippery conditions than the standard Front Wheel Drive configuration of the 2025 Honda Pilot.

Is the $9,500 price gap between the Pilot and XC60 justified?

The justification depends entirely on buyer priorities; the Pilot is $9,500 cheaper and more powerful, but the XC60 provides better fuel economy and standard AWD, fitting a more luxury-oriented niche.

How much space difference is there between the cargo areas?

The larger 2025 Honda Pilot provides 18.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the more compact 2026 Volvo XC60 has a notably smaller figure, prioritizing exterior dimensions over maximum rear storage volume.

How do the transmission types affect the driving experience?

The Honda Pilot utilizes a 10-speed shiftable automatic gearbox, often providing smoother cruising and better utilization of its higher horsepower. The Volvo XC60 uses an 8-speed automatic, which is well-tuned for its slightly lower power output and efficiency goals.