What Is Honda’s Best Midsize SUV?
Passport or Pilot: which is the best Honda Midsize SUV?
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Honda has two midsize SUVs: the Passport and the Pilot, both of which get excellent reviews from experts and customers alike. The Passport is a little more compact and fun to drive, while the 3-row Pilot has comfortable seating to spare—without the uncool van vibe.
The compact and subcompact SUV might reign supreme these days, but for families and drivers with bigger dreams, the midsize SUV is still the sweet spot between minivan stodginess and the pinch of the compact. If you want the practicality and comfort of a Honda in a slightly larger package, you’ve got two choices: the two-row Honda Passport or the three-row Honda Pilot.
But which SUV is better—and can they compare with bestsellers like the Honda CR-V Hybrid or the Nissan Murano?
Jerry
, the trusted car insurance
broker app, gets into it in this article. We’ll go over key specs for both SUVs, pick the winner, and compare both to the competition. As an added bonus, we’re throwing in some tips to help you save on Honda insurance costs
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Does Honda have a midsize SUV?
Yes—two of them. The two-row Honda Passportand
three-row Honda Pilot
are both midsize SUVs. Below them in the lineup of Honda SUV models are the subcompact Honda HR-V
and the compact Honda CR-V
, and above is the Honda Odyssey
minivan. Honda doesn’t have a full-size SUV, making the Pilot the biggest SUV Honda sells. What makes a midsize SUV?
The definitions of subcompact, compact, mid-size, and full-size are all quite precise when it comes to sedans—and very, very loose in the world of the SUV. Basically, a midsize SUV is bigger than a compact SUV and smaller than a full-size SUV.
So why isn’t Honda’s Pilot considered a full-size SUV, since it’s the biggest in the class? The truth is, it’s only slightly bigger than the Passport. The two vehicles have the same wheelbase measurement, and the Pilot comes in just seven inches longer than the Passport. Not enough to call it “full-size.”
Is the Honda CR-V a midsize SUV?
No. The Honda CR-V—the best-selling SUV from the Japanese automaker—is a compact crossover, not a midsize SUV. With seating for five and a shorter wheelbase than the Pilot or Passport, it slots in between the subcompact HR-V and the Passport.
Passport vs. Pilot: which is the best midsize Honda SUV?
Now let’s take a closer look at Honda’s two midsize SUVs. The Passport and the Pilot have a lot in common—like, a lot. You could be forgiven for thinking of the Passport as essentially a smaller Pilot, reintroduced in 2019 to fill in the gap between the CR-V and the Pilot.
But these two SUVs aren’t identical—and one has the edge over the other.
2022 Honda Passport
MSRP range: $38,370 to $45,930
MPG: 19-20 city/24-25 hwy
Seating for: 5 passengers
The Honda Passport is an athletic, versatile SUV that feels more expensive than it is—comfortably, but not distractingly so. It’s neither indulgent nor ostentatious: just well-built, capable, and—not a given in a family-oriented SUV—pretty darn fun to drive.
The fun starts with the Passport’s standard (and only) engine: a 3.5-liter V6 capable of generating 280 horsepower and taking the Passport from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and your pick of front-wheel drive (standard on the base trim) or torque-vectoring all-wheel drive (standard on the TrailSport and Elite).
The result: great acceleration, smooth shifting, and easy handling. Braking is a bit of a weak point, and the ride quality can be a bit stiffer, but the Passport remains capable—and safe. The 2022 Passport gets a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and mostly “Good” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though side crash testing earned an updated “Marginal” score.
Interior comfort and cargo space are where the Passport really shines, though. The cabin is roomy and plush, with power-adjustable leather front seats with heating and memory functions. Leg, head, and shoulder space are all plentiful in the rear, and tri-zone climate control keeps things pleasant throughout. Best of all, you’ve got up to 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space to play with if you’re able to flip the rear seats down.
Highlights include:
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Standard power tailgate
- Moonroof on all trim levels
- Keyless entry and ignition with remote start
- Wireless smartphone charging capability
- Multi-angle rear-view camera
- Honda Sensing® driver assistance suite including a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, parking sensors, and lane keeping system w/ lane departure warnings
Weaknesses include:
- Push-button shifter presents a learning curve
- Driver assistance tech can be clunky
- Unremarkable styling
- No third row
2022 Honda Pilot
MSRP range: $38,080 to $51,870
MPG: 19-20 city/25-27 hwy
Seating for: Up to 8 passengers
Sitting pretty above the Passport is the Pilot, a family SUV best understood as a really nice minivan for people who don’t like minivans.
We mean that in the best way possible. The Pilot offers all the practicality of a minivan—seating for up to eight passengers, tons of interior storage and cargo space, and great fuel economy for the class.
The Pilot’s powertrain is basically identical to the Passport’s: 280-hp V6, nine-speed automatic, and a choice between FWD and AWD—but it’s tamed slightly in the Pilot. The larger SUV isn’t quite as quick, but it delivers a smooth, comfortable ride. Just don’t try to take it off-road: the ground clearance isn’t sufficient.
One of the greatest things about the Pilot is just how much bang you get for your buck. Since Honda did away with the base
LX
and EX
trims, every Pilot starts out with an impressive set of features, from heated mirrors, a sunroof, and a power liftgate to power-adjustable heated front seats, satellite radio, and Bluetooth smartphone integration. There are five trims to choose from if you’re looking for true luxury, but the base EX-L
offers more than enough for most families. Highlights include:
- Smooth, nearly-silent ride
- 10-speaker audio system
- Better fuel efficiency than the Passport
- Cushy seat backs and reclining functions
- Navigation system and premium audio on upper trims
- Honda Sensing® suite including lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, and blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
Weaknesses include:
- The third-row seat isn’t comfortable for long-haul driving
- High starting price
- Touchscreen is difficult to use
2022 Honda Passport vs. 2022 Honda Pilot comparison
2022 Honda Passport | 2022 Honda Pilot | |
|---|---|---|
Starting MSRP | $38,370 | $38,080 |
Seating capacity | Five | Seven or eight |
Fuel economy | 21 combined mpg | 22 combined mpg |
Base engine | 3.5-liter V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft of torque) | 3.5-liter V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft of torque) |
Total cargo volume | 100.8 cubic feet | 83.8 cubic feet |
Maximum towing capacity | 3,500 to 5,000 lbs | 3,500 to 5,000 lbs |
NHTSA safety rating | Five stars | Five stars |
Reliability scores | 80.0/100 (U.S. News), 83/100 (J.D. Power), 76/100 (Consumer Reports) | 79.0/100 (U.S. News), 81/100 (J.D. Power), 76/100 (Consumer Reports) |
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The bottom line
While the Passport and Pilot share a great deal of their DNA, the Passport edges out the Pilot as the better SUV. Unless you need that extra seating, the Passport offers better storage, improved performance, and greater value. And while the Passport TrailSport and Elite have their charms, one of the best things about the Passport is that the base EX-L trim is so well-appointed there’s no need to upgrade.
Best midsize SUV competitors
The Passport might be Honda’s best midsize SUV, but it’s not the only good midsize SUV on the market. If you’re looking at Honda’s midsize SUVs, keep an eye on these able competitors:
- 2022Kia Telluride($33,390 starting MSRP): Affordable, shockingly upscale, and effortlessly roomy and practical, the Telluride is just about as good as a midsize SUV can get.
- 2022Toyota Highlander($35,855 starting MSRP): Above-average fuel economy and stellar safety ratings make the Highlander a great family SUV despite the cramped third row.
- 2022Hyundai Santa Fe($27,700 starting MSRP): The Santa Fe is attractive, comfortable, and affordable—and it gets even better as a hybrid SUV.
How to save on Honda insurance
One more major difference between Honda’s two midsize SUVs? Insurance rates.
On average,
Honda Pilot EX-L insurance costs
are about $700 higher per year than Honda Passport EX-L insurance costs
. That’s one more reason to opt for the Passport over the Pilot—and one more reason to shop with the Jerry
app for new rates. As a
licensed insurance broker
, Jerry can analyze real-time quotes against your driver profile and find you competitive rates in just 45 seconds. Whether you’re in the market for a new Honda SUV or just trying to save on costs with your current ride, Jerry is here for you.Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
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