2025 Hyundai PALISADE vs. 2025 Honda Pilot

If you’re looking for a three-row SUV for your family, the 2025 Hyundai PALISADE and Honda Pilot stand out in the midsize category. Both offer spacious interiors, advanced safety technology, and exceptional reliability. Let’s compare these two models to help you decide which one fits your lifestyle.

Performance Comparison

A luxury suv with open doors in a garage by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Unsplash License

The 2025 PALISADE has a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is slightly more powerful than the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 285 horsepower and identical torque. Hyundai pairs its engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while Honda opts for a 10-speed option. Both SUVs come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

The PALISADE accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds, which is significantly faster than the Pilot’s 8.2 seconds. In terms of fuel economy, the numbers are similar. The PALISADE gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in front-wheel drive, compared to the Pilot’s 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Both can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is more than enough for boats or campers.

Interior and Comfort

The 2025 PALISADE provides 44.1 inches of front legroom, 42.4 inches in the middle row, and 31.4 inches in the rear. The Pilot offers 41 inches in front, 40.8 inches in row two, and 32.5 inches in row three. Although both fit eight people across three rows, the added legroom in the PALISADE’s front seats enhances comfort for long journeys.

The Pilot edges ahead with 87 cubic feet of total cargo space compared to the PALISADE’s 86.4 cubic feet. The Pilot offers 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, compared to 18 and 45.8 cubic feet, respectively, in the PALISADE. The Hyundai offers heated seats in all three rows, ventilated seats in the front and middle rows, and even an optional massage seat. It also features captain’s chairs with power-folding and push-button third-row access. The Honda counters with leather seats using multiple cushion layers and a second-row bench configuration.

Technology and Premium Features

The PALISADE comes standard with a 12.3-inch touch screen, dwarfing the Pilot’s standard 7-inch display, although bigger screens are available in higher trims. Both SUVs support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hot spot capability, and mood-setting LED cabin lighting. The higher models of both the Pilot and PALISADE feature premium sound systems for an immersive audio experience.

Safety Features and Ratings

Both SUVs feature impressive standard safety technology. The PALISADE comes with Hyundai SmartSense, which includes features such as forward collision avoidance, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and systems to monitor and prevent driver fatigue. Higher PALISADE trims feature Highway Driving Assist 2 with semi-autonomous capabilities on compatible highways.Honda’s Sensing suite offers collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. The 2025 Pilot has earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pricing and Value

The 2025 PALISADE is available in seven trims: the SE, SEL, XRT, SEL Premium, Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night, with starting MSRPs ranging between $37,200 and $54,500. The 2025 Honda Pilot offers six models: the Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition, with starting prices from $41,650 to $56,030.

Each SUV offers distinctive trims tailored for different lifestyles. The PALISADE XRT boasts a rugged appearance, featuring a dark grille, unique 20-inch wheels, black roof rails, and reinforced bumpers. The Pilot TrailSport offers 8.3-inch ground clearance, all-terrain tires, a specialized camera system for off-road driving, and skid plates that protect the underside. The PALISADE Calligraphy boasts premium nappa leather, a massage driver’s seat, and exclusive 20-inch wheels, while the Pilot Black Edition adopts a sporty flair with Gloss-Black 20-inch wheels, black accents, red stitching, and red ambient lighting throughout the cabin.

Additional Considerations

Hyundai offers five-year/60,000-mile basic coverage and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty compared to Honda’s three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties. Hyundai’s additional coverage can save you a considerable amount in the future.

The experts seem to favor Hyundai. MotorTrend has ranked the PALISADE number one among three-row SUVs, while the Pilot landed at number five. U.S. News has placed the PALISADE at number two in midsize SUVs with a 9.4/10 rating. Honda’s reputation remains strong, dominating Kelley Blue Book’s 2024 Consumer Choice Awards, taking the awards for Best Overall Brand, Most Trusted Brand, Best Value Brand, and Best Performance Brand.

Find Your Perfect SUV at Checkered Flag Hyundai World

Although both SUVs offer excellent value, the PALISADE’s combination of performance, luxury features, competitive pricing, and an extensive warranty creates a package that’s tough to beat. If you’re in Virginia Beach, Virginia, we invite you to visit us to experience the new PALISADE firsthand. Our friendly team will help you explore your financing options and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule a test-drive to help you decide whether the 2025 PALISADE fits your lifestyle.