Whether on the road or driving off-road, the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder comes with some significant advantages over the 2018 Honda Pilot. Make no mistake, they are both solid vehicles designed with bulletproof engineering among other amenities for maximum buyer appeal. The conversation surrounding which is a better model in general almost depends on what you value in your transportation lifestyle. To make things easier on your eyes, we at Palm Springs Nissan have compiled a few bullet points breaking down how the Pilot compares to the Pathfinder.

The Price is Right?

The Honda Pilot starts at $31,875 while the Nissan Pathfinder goes for $32,015. They may look similar in size, but the Pathfinder actually comes with more space for people and cargo, which explains the slightly higher price tag. Both come with quality resale and reliability, but the Pathfinder has just a tad more cruising capability and comfort than the Pilot.

Designed for Drivers with Specific Destinations

The infotainment interfaces featured in both the Pilot and Pathfinder are, for the most part, the same in terms of efficiency and operation. While we’re discussing similarities, let’s talk shop about both vehicles coming with all-wheel drive. They are equally slick (classy would be the second best word to describe both) and lovely to admire when the light catches their polish. The Pathfinder underwent a heavy makeover last year, and Nissan’s decision to include automatic emergency braking as standard is just one of the updates the model received. A rear door alert was added to the Pathfinder, a technological safety feature the Pilot already possessed. Seating capacity is well above average in both models, with the Pathfinder having 3-row seating and the Pilot able to occupy eight passengers. The Pilot is considered a family-friendly cruiser with enough capability to retain an unbeatable resale value. In contrast, the Pathfinder is built with more power to reach speeds faster and pass trucks and other large carriers on the highway with much more ease. It can also effectively tackle any and every off-road turf drivers may come across with its all-wheel-drive system which includes hill descent control for navigating steep slopes. A sturdy V6 engine ensures excellent driving in the Pilot, but both cars have similarly matched fuel economies. The Pathfinder is also built with a V6 engine for strong acceleration, as previously mentioned. Back to the three rows of seats, the Pathfinder is easy to move around in, and that third row is not difficult to reach at all. What’s even more impressive is this SUV offers robust towing capacity. In terms of tech, Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility included with the Pathfinder provides the driver with greater awareness of his or her surroundings. The Pathfinder’s Advanced Drive-Assist Display is also an impressive amenity for navigating the road ahead, and the Motion Activated Liftgate automatically opens to give easy access to the car’s versatile interior.

How Do They Rank?

As far as Midsize SUVs come, the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder was ranked #17 by U.S. News, and the Pilot was voted as KBB’s Midsize SUV Best Buy for 2018. The Pathfinder currently has a score of 7.7 out of 10 for its U.S. News consensus, and that rating is based on an evaluation of 49 pieces of research and data elements using multiple sources.

Come See for Yourself

  At Palm Springs Nissan, we embrace all types of SUVs like the Pilot and Pathfinder. Only you can decide which works best for you, and the most effective way to do that is not by scrolling through a website (even one as well designed as ours). Come visit us and test-drive one of these award-winning midsize crossovers at a Nissan dealer near you. We have a large selection of new and pre-owned vehicles waiting for you!