Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot

The 2026 Honda Pilot underwent a notable transformation, adopting a more rugged, truck-like appearance with a larger, blockier grille and grey plastic scuff plates. This design shift aligned with the broader industry trend towards more robust SUV aesthetics. The Pilot's exterior updates were subtle, maintaining the rugged design direction introduced three years prior. Inside, the Pilot retained its familiar layout but introduced enhancements such as larger infotainment and digital instrument displays. The top trims received unique diamond quilting in synthetic suede, adding a touch of luxury. Despite these changes, the Pilot remained a practical and tastefully designed midsize SUV, meeting or exceeding class expectations in material quality and construction.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder combined smooth and chunky design elements, featuring restyled front bumpers with faux vertical air intakes and a simplified grille with a thin chrome line. The rear saw the removal of vertical creases, while new wheel designs and a Baltic Teal paint colour added to its refreshed look. Inside, the Pathfinder's changes were more pronounced, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and a redesigned steering wheel. The interior maintained a balance of modernity and classic appeal, with semi-aniline leather on the Platinum trim elevating its luxury quotient. Overall, the Pathfinder's design updates aimed to enhance its usability and aesthetic appeal.

The 2026 Honda Pilot retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The Pilot's acceleration was adequate, with a responsive feel during highway merging and passing. The V6 engine provided a confident sound, and the brake pedal effort was appropriately soft for a family SUV. While some subtle downshifts were noted, the Pilot's steering improvements for 2026 enhanced feedback and stability, addressing previous vagueness on the highway. Overall, the Pilot maintained its confident handling, though it didn't aim for sportiness.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder continued with its naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, or 295 hp and 270 lb-ft in the Rock Creek trim with premium fuel. Both trims in Canada featured standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pathfinder's acceleration was leisurely, and its engine sounded laboured, comparable to other V6 engines in its class. Fuel economy estimates were 11.8 L/100 km city, 9.6 highway, and 10.8 combined for Platinum models, with slightly higher figures for the Rock Creek. The Rock Creek trim's off-road capabilities were limited, and its all-terrain tires negatively impacted grip, noise, and fuel economy. The Pathfinder's suspension was soft, allowing more lean and mid-corner motion, detracting from its steering precision.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's cabin remained largely unchanged, offering excellent interior space and versatility. A standout feature was the removable second-row centre seat, providing flexibility between a bench and captain's chairs. The centre seat was suitable for smaller passengers, while the outboard seats offered ample legroom and comfort. Access to the third row was easy, though space was limited for larger adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 635 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 3,219 litres with both rows folded. The Pilot's front seats offered generous storage options, enhancing practicality.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder featured "Latch and Glide" second-row seats, accommodating families with young children. Headroom and legroom were generous in the first and second rows, while the third row was tight for taller passengers. The Pathfinder seated eight by default or seven with captain's chairs in the Platinum trim. Cargo space measured 470 litres behind the third row, 1,274 litres behind the second row, and 2,279 litres with both rows folded. A power liftgate with motion activation and position memory was standard, and the Rock Creek trim included a robust roof rack. Visibility was good, and analog controls facilitated ease of use.

The 2026 Honda Pilot upgraded to a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel across all trims. Physical shortcut buttons were replaced with customizable on-screen shortcuts. The system ran on the latest Honda software, offering quick response and ease of use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a wireless phone charger required an upgrade to the EX-L trim. The Pilot retained unique features like multiple camera angles and the CabinTalk intercom system, enhancing its tech appeal.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder introduced Nissan's latest infotainment software on a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Factory navigation was no longer offered, but the system was user-friendly and responsive. SiriusXM satellite radio and NissanConnect remote services were standard. The Pathfinder debuted Qi2, a next-generation wireless charger with a magnetic lock for improved charging stability. New camera features like Invisible Hood View and Front Wide View enhanced visibility. The Platinum trim offered a head-up display and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's crash test scores were unavailable, but it was expected to perform similarly to the 2025 model, which received high ratings. The Honda Sensing suite of safety features was standard, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The safety features generally worked well, though the forward collision warning was slightly sensitive.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder came with a comprehensive set of airbags, including second-row side-impact and front knee airbags. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and more. The Pathfinder earned five stars from the NHTSA but received four stars in the frontal crash test. The IIHS rated it "Good" in side impact and small overlap front tests.