Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Pilot: Which Family SUV Comes Out on Top?

You did the research, made the spreadsheet, and somehow ended up more confused than when you started. Picking a three-row SUV will do that to you. The Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot are both strong contenders in the family SUV space, but they take very different approaches to the job.

Spoiler: the Palisade wins on value, interior quality, and features. Here's why.

The Basics: Specs Side by Side

Both are 3-row SUVs built for families who need real space and everyday functionality. Here's how they compare at a glance.

Hyundai Palisade

  • 3.8L V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque

  • 8-speed automatic transmission

  • Available FWD and AWD

  • EPA-estimated 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway (FWD)

  • Towing capacity up to 5,000 lbs

  • Seating for up to 8 passengers

Honda Pilot

  • 3.5L V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque

  • 10-speed automatic transmission (most trims)

  • Available FWD and AWD

  • EPA-estimated 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway (FWD)

  • Towing capacity up to 5,000 lbs

  • Seating for up to 8 passengers

On paper, these two are nearly identical. The Palisade edges out the Pilot in horsepower, and both deliver the same towing capacity. The real story is what you get inside.

Exterior Design: Bold vs Blended In

The Palisade has a commanding road presence. Its wide stance, bold grille, and upscale exterior design make it look more expensive than its MSRP suggests. It turns heads in school pickup lines and parking lots alike.

The Honda Pilot got a full redesign recently and looks sharper than its previous generation. It has a more rugged, boxy look compared to earlier models. It's a solid design, but it still blends in more than the Palisade does on the road.

If exterior design matters to your buying decision, the Palisade is the stronger choice.

Interior Space: Room for Everyone

This is where family SUV shopping gets serious. Both are true 3-row SUVs, but the Palisade delivers a more comfortable experience for every row.

Second row

  • Palisade: available captain's chairs with sliding and reclining function, generous legroom and shoulder room

  • Pilot: second-row bench or captain's chairs depending on trim, slightly less recline range

  • The Palisade's second row feels noticeably more premium, especially on SEL and above trims

Third row

  • Palisade: 31.9 inches of legroom, usable for adults on road trips

  • Pilot: 31.9 inches of legroom, comparable space

  • Both offer real headroom in the third row, but the Palisade's interior layout makes access easier

Cargo space

  • Palisade: 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with it folded

  • Pilot: 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with it folded

  • The Palisade wins on everyday cargo volume behind the third row, which matters most on daily commutes and grocery runs

Trim Levels and Features

The new Palisade lineup gives you a wide range of options from practical to near-luxury.

Palisade SE FWD

  • Entry-level trim packed with standard features

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assist all come standard

  • A better value starting point than the base Honda Pilot LX

Palisade SEL and SEL Premium

  • Adds a 12.3-inch touchscreen, sunroofs, and a head-up display on SEL Premium

  • Driver assistance tech and comfort features that rival the Pilot's EX and Sport trims at a better price

Palisade XRT and XRT Pro

  • For drivers who want off-road capability and rugged styling with AWD

  • Increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and blacked-out exterior trim

  • A direct answer to the Honda Pilot TrailSport for buyers who want adventure-ready without giving up refinement

Palisade Limited FWD

  • Nappa leather seating, premium Bose audio, and a full suite of safety features

  • Competes with the Pilot Elite trim at a comparable price point with more interior refinement

Palisade Calligraphy

  • The top trim with quilted Nappa leather, dual sunroofs, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system

  • Available in the Night Edition for a sleek blacked-out look

  • The Palisade Calligraphy simply does not have a true equivalent in the Pilot lineup

Technology and Infotainment

The Palisade pulls ahead on tech across most trim comparisons.

Palisade standard and available tech:

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims

  • 8-inch touchscreen standard, 12.3-inch available

  • Head-up display, surround-view monitor, and remote smart parking assist on higher trims

  • Available digital instrument cluster and Hyundai Digital Key

Honda Pilot standard and available tech:

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on most trims

  • 9-inch touchscreen standard on most trims

  • Honda Sensing suite standard on all trims, which includes lane keeping assist and collision avoidance

Honda Sensing is genuinely impressive and comes standard across the entire Pilot lineup. The Palisade counters with a broader suite of available tech features on upper trims that goes well beyond what Honda Sensing covers.

Safety Features

Both SUVs score well on safety, and both come with solid standard driver assistance features.

Standard on both:

  • Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking

  • Lane keeping assist

  • Blind spot monitoring

  • Rear cross-traffic alert

  • Driver attention monitoring

The Palisade adds available features like a surround-view monitor and rear occupant alert on higher trims. Honda Sensing is a strong package, but the Palisade's available safety tech on SEL Premium and above goes further.

Warranty and Long-Term Value

Hyundai's warranty is one of the best in the business, and it's a major reason to choose the Palisade over any competitor.

Hyundai Palisade warranty:

  • 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty

  • 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty

  • 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance

Honda Pilot warranty:

  • 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty

  • 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty

The difference is significant. Hyundai covers the powertrain for twice as long as Honda, and the complimentary maintenance plan means your first few years of ownership cost less to keep up. For a new vehicle purchase, that long-term value matters.

Is the Palisade Better Than the Honda Pilot?

For most buyers, yes. The Palisade offers more horsepower, a longer warranty, better interior refinement, more cargo volume behind the third row, and a broader trim range. 

The Honda Pilot is a solid family SUV, but it can't match the Palisade's value proposition or the near-luxury experience of the Calligraphy trim.

FAQ

Is the Hyundai Palisade bigger than the Honda Pilot?

They are close in overall size, but the Palisade offers more cargo space behind the third row at 18 cubic feet vs the Pilot's 16.5 cubic feet. Third-row legroom is identical at 31.9 inches.

Does the Hyundai Palisade have better fuel economy than the Honda Pilot?

They are nearly even. The Pilot gets 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway on FWD models, while the Palisade gets 19 city and 26 highway. The difference is minimal for everyday commutes and road trips.

Does the Palisade come with wireless Apple CarPlay?

Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all Palisade trims, including the base SE.

How does the Palisade XRT Pro compare to the Honda Pilot TrailSport?

Both are off-road-oriented trims with AWD and all-terrain capability. The Palisade XRT Pro matches the TrailSport on specs while delivering a more refined on-road driving experience and a stronger warranty package.

What makes the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy special?

The Calligraphy is the top trim and offers quilted Nappa leather, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, dual sunroofs, and a full suite of driver assistance and luxury tech. There is no comparable trim in the Honda Pilot lineup at a similar price point.

Where can I test drive a Hyundai Palisade near Tomball, TX?

Come visit us at Tomball Hyundai. You can browse current inventory online or call us to set up an appointment.

See It for Yourself

The specs only tell part of the story. Stop by Tomball Hyundai and get behind the wheel of the Palisade to feel the difference in person. 

You can schedule a test drive online in minutes, or browse our full Palisade inventory to find the trim and drivetrain that fits your family best. We're here to help you drive home happy.