2022 Honda Pilot vs. 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Comparison

The 2022 Honda Pilot and the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder offer V6 power and ample seating for up to eight passengers. Here’s how they compare.

2022 Honda Pilot

2022 Honda Pilot Starting Price: $39,060 | Price yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Seats up to eight; standard V6 engine; strong resale value.

Below Average: Only one powertrain; design is beginning to age.

Consensus: The 2022 Honda Pilot carries on as a roomy and comfortable 3-row SUV from a trusted brand and has been a segment favorite through three generations. For 2022, it adds a new entry-level model to replace the dropped EX and LX trims.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder

2022 Nissan Pathfinder Starting Price: $34,560 | Price yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Seating for seven or eight; off-road ability; 6,000-pound maximum towing ability.

Below Average: One engine choice; no wireless Android Auto.

Consensus: A capable 3-row SUV, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder has good tech, plenty of options, and respectable off-road ability. It only offers one engine and transmission choice, however.

Pilot vs Pathfinder: Space for People and Their Gear

Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot seats seven or eight in its three rows, with second-row captain’s chairs restricted to the top trims. Passenger accommodations are roomy, and cargo space ranges from 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row to 82.1 to 83.9 cubic feet with all seats folded.

A 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque is now paired exclusively with a 9-speed automatic. Smooth and sufficiently powerful, this V6 tows up to 5,000 pounds (with AWD). Fuel economy is fairly good with EPA combined estimates of 23 mpg (FWD) and 22 mpg (AWD).

The Pilot is capable and comfortable but not particularly sporty, although handling is secure in part thanks to the AWD system’s torque-vectoring technology. Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control are standard.

The 2022 Pilot comes in EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims. The 2022 Pilot EX-L in front-drive boasts features that include leather seating, power moonroof, hands-free power liftgate, 8-inch Display Audio system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, and LED headlamps.

Since the base EX and LX trims have been dropped, for now, the nearly $40,000 EX-L is the entry point. But Honda is promising a new lower-priced base model that will come later. At the top of the range, the Black Edition comes in either black or white pearlescent paint to go with black wheels and exterior trim.

Nissan Pathfinder

Having skipped the 2021 model year, Nissan’s 3-row Pathfinder SUV returns redesigned for 2022. While it’s still more of a family-friendly SUV than a rugged off-roader, a Pathfinder with 4-wheel drive still has respectable off-road chops. It can climb a mountain or provide sure-footed driving in snow or mud, although if you’re looking to conquer the Rubicon Trail, there are better choices.

The Pathfinder can be configured either with a second-row bench seat or second-row captain’s chairs, which reduce seating capacity to seven but also eases access to the third row. The seats can also fold completely flat, giving the Pathfinder a very usable 79.8 cubic feet of space.

Driving manners on the road are good, with the 3.5-liter V6 providing ample power. We’re also grateful that Nissan replaced the previous model’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a 9-speed automatic, which much better suits this engine. Equipped with the tow package, the Pathfinder can pull an impressive 6,000 pounds, which bests many of its competitors.

Four trim levels range from relatively basic to the plush Platinum model, and all can be optioned with Nissan’s Intelligent 4-wheel-drive system for $1,900. Even the base S trim has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

All trims get Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite, which includes front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Upper trims get the ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and semi-aniline leather seats.

Similarities

Optional all-wheel drive; standard driver’s assistance features; V6 power.

2022 Honda Pilot Advantages

Good resale values; an optional tent add on (really!); comfortable and upscale.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder Advantages

Better tow rating; lower price entry-level trim; fresh styling.

Which One is Right for Me?

The 2022 Honda Pilot is highly regarded for its comfort, dependability, and solid resale value. All models are well-equipped with plenty of driver and safety assists.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder benefits from a much-needed makeover. In addition to retaining its V6 powerplant, we welcome the change from a CVT to a 9-speed automatic.

Ready to buy a Honda Pilot or Nissan Pathfinder? Shop for one on sale now near you.