Porsche Cayenne vs Honda Pilot

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile SUV, available in both a standard SUV form with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The trim levels varied from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, each with unique exterior features. The GTS trim, in particular, stood out with its high gloss black trim, a distinctive front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through 21-inch anthracite grey wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe boasted an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from the colour of the cabin to the trim and seat belts. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle that freed up storage space.

The 2026 Honda Pilot underwent a makeover, adopting a more truck-like appearance with a larger, blockier grille and grey plastic scuff plates. The exterior updates aligned with the rugged design direction introduced three years prior. Inside, the Pilot retained its spacious and versatile cabin, with notable upgrades such as larger infotainment and digital instrument panels. The top trims featured unique diamond quilting on the seats and contrast stitching, adding visual flair. The Pilot's interior remained practical, with ample legroom and comfortable seating, although the third row was better suited for shorter drives or smaller passengers. The materials in the rear were of lower quality, but Honda included USB charge ports for convenience.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of delivering impressive performance. The base 3.0-litre V6 produced 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, while the Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp. The Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, boasted 650 hp, and plug-in hybrid options reached up to 729 hp. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne GTS could accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable, with precise steering and an agile suspension system. The optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power, and the Cayenne transformed into a comfortable commuter in Normal mode.

The 2026 Honda Pilot retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Pilot offered adequate acceleration and a confident V6 sound. The steering was revised for improved feedback and stability, addressing previous concerns about vagueness. The Pilot handled curves confidently but didn't aim for sportiness. The brake pedal effort was soft, suitable for a family SUV, although occasional downshifts caused subtle lurches.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with limited standard features. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, heated but not cooled or massaging. Higher trims added features like a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The options list was extensive, allowing for personalization of interior elements. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers, with ample headroom in the second row. It could tow up to 3,500 kilograms and had a payload capacity of over 635 kilograms. Cargo space was smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row and 1,708 litres with seats folded. The coupe version had slightly less space, and plug-in hybrids further reduced utility.

The 2026 Honda Pilot maintained its spacious and versatile cabin, with a removable second-row centre seat for flexibility. 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 adults. The Pilot provided 635 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 1,702 litres with the third row folded. The middle-row seats folded easily, allowing for a maximum cargo capacity of 3,219 litres. The front seats offered generous storage, with a long tray, cupholders, and a large centre armrest bin.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne included four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Honda Pilot upgraded to a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel. Physical shortcut buttons were replaced with customizable on-screen shortcuts. The system was responsive and easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim included a wireless phone charger, though it required precise positioning. The Pilot retained features like multiple camera angles and the CabinTalk intercom system.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not tested. The Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2026 Honda Pilot had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but previous models received high scores. All trims included the Honda Sensing suite, with features like forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The forward collision warning was sensitive, but lane departure warning was similarly sensitive.