Three-Rows Go Three Rounds: The 2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Honda Pilot encompasses everything there is to love about the modern crossover. This three-row midsize SUV is a standout in terms of cargo and passenger space, can tow up to 5,000 lbs, and is even available with an off-road-ready trim in the form of the Pilot TrailSport. These attributes make the Pilot a tempting choice for a wide range of drivers, from those seeking their next family vehicle to weekend warriors and busy commuters. 

The fourth-gen Pilot sees modest changes for the 2025 model year, though the debut of a new Black Edition trim does go a long way toward upping the SUV’s appeal for those seeking a luxurious statement piece. The Pilot’s well-rounded portfolio gives it high marks, but what about the Hyundai Palisade? Hyundai’s own three-row SUV has some interesting luxury features and modern styling, so how does it compare to the 2025 Honda Pilot for sale at Rusty Wallace Honda? Let’s explore each model in closer detail and see how these two midsize marvels compete…  

Performance

Three-row SUVs tend to trade on their cargo and passenger capacity, but their larger size means that performance can never be treated as an afterthought. Luckily, the Honda Pilot is equipped with a potent powertrain that provides more than enough muscle for your daily driving duties. All of the 2025 Pilot’s trims have the same 3.5-liter V6, which means that drivers won’t need to climb the trim ladder in order to enjoy improved performance. This 285-hp V6 provides 262 lb-ft of torque and allows the SUV to claim a max towing capacity of some 5,000 lbs. 

That sort of brawn goes a long way toward upping the Pilot’s utility, giving drivers the opportunity to tow their boats, campers, or whatever other adventure equipment the weekend might require. That engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that provides some impressive efficiency, with the Pilot achieving an EPA-estimated 27 MPG on the highway.^[a] Best of all, half of the 2025 lineup is equipped with all-wheel drive at no additional charge: the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trims all have AWD standard, but those opting for the Sport, EX-L, and Touring can also access four-wheel performance.     

The Hyundai Palisade comes close to the Pilot’s metrics. Like the Pilot, the Palisade is available with a sole engine option in the form of a 3.8-liter V6. While this engine might boast slightly higher displacement, the net effect is pretty negligible in terms of actual performance, with the Hyundai providing just 291 hp (6 hp more) and the same 262 lb-ft of torque as Honda’s midsize offering. The two SUVs are also well-matched in terms of towing capacity, with the Palisade maxing out at 5,000 lbs. 

Hyundai’s three-row SUV has an eight-speed automatic that, while quick to respond and adequate for most applications, lacks the efficiency of the Pilot’s ten-speed setup. The Palisade gets around 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive, but the latter number falls to 24 MPG when AWD enters the mix. (The 2025 Pilot gets 25 MPG on the highway in AWD.^[a] Furthermore, the eight-speed transmission should serve drivers well on the highway or around town, but it’s a little lacking when encountering steep hills or facing more demanding off-road terrain. 

Having standard AWD marks another notable gap between the Palisade and Pilot. This drivetrain only comes standard on the Palisade’s highest Calligraphy Night Edition trim and is treated as an optional add-on for every other trim. There might not be any glaring omissions, but it’s a little hard to justify investing in the Palisade when you consider the Pilot’s well-rounded performance stats. 

Off-Road Ability 

Off-road ability has become an increasingly important factor for drivers setting out to buy their next SUV. While some brands have introduced off-road equipment packages that, while sporty, lack the heavy-duty components needed to succeed on tough terrain, other automakers have embraced the niche wholeheartedly with a new generation of off-road trims ready to take on whatever challenges the road might throw at them. The Pilot and Palisade serve as perfect examples of this light-duty versus heavy-duty approach, with Honda establishing a preference for the adventure-ready segment. 

First introduced in the 2021 Honda Passport, the off-road-focused TrailSport trim has since been expanded to the Pilot, the Ridgeline pickup, and—starting in 2026—the compact CR-V. The Pilot already has the making of a promising off-roader with its midsize proportions, torque-heavy powertrain, and ample ground clearance, but the TrailSport trim kicks it up a notch with off-road equipment that can make all the difference when you set off down the road less traveled. The Pilot TrailSport has a tuned suspension that provides a smooth, comfortable ride and increases the SUV’s ground clearance by around one inch. 

A set of steel skid plates protect vital underbody components, while 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires improve traction on loose, slippery off-road surfaces. All-wheel drive also comes standard, but it’s not your run-of-the-mill design; Honda’s second-generation Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) all-wheel-drive system is quick to respond to changing road conditions, keeping every wheel engaged as you navigate the wilds of your local off-road trails. The second-gen system features a new rear driver unit that offers 40% more torque capacity and 30% faster response time to make i-VTM4 a real standout in the off-road segment. 

The TrailSport also includes some important appearance upgrades like a gloss black front grille, synthetic leather upholstery with orange stitching, and a panoramic sunroof, but its advanced tech features like the surround-view camera system and a dedicated Trail Mode that really enhance the TrailSport’s off-road ability. Trail Mode simplifies the off-road experience with a unique Trail Torque Logic system that can send as much as 70% of the SUV’s torque to the rear wheels when they need it most. The Pilot’s Elite trim includes many of the off-road features found on the TrailSport but adds a few premium touches like a 110-volt power outlet, ventilated front seats, and a heated windshield, steering wheel, and second-row seats. 

While Hyundai has rolled out its own off-road trim in the XRT, the Palisade doesn’t get as much as the Pilot. The XRT mirrors some of the Pilot TrailSport’s advanced tech, including a 360-degree camera system that provides a bird’s-eye view of the SUV’s surroundings, but this trim falls short in a few important areas. The front and rear skid plates are a nice addition, and the front parking sensors should come in handy when trying to wedge the midsize model into a tight spot, but the XRT is conspicuously devoid of some basic off-road features like all-terrain tires, tow hooks, a full-size spare, and the like. 

While the Palisade XRT’s most impressive feature might be its self-leveling rear suspension that can monitor the vehicle’s weight distribution and adjust the suspension in response, this feature is more focused on on-road comfort than off-road ability. Don’t get us wrong, as the XRT cuts a handsome figure with its black synthetic leather upholstery, rear sunshades, auto-dimming side mirrors, and 20-inch black wheels, but if you’re in the market for an SUV that can confidently tread through challenging off-road environments, the Pilot TrailSport holds an obvious advantage.      

Cabin Capacity  

The Pilot’s midsize design and eight-passenger seating capacity make it a reliable family ride that has the latest comfort, convenience, and safety features. The 2025 Pilot can also be optioned with a set of second-row captain’s chairs that reduce the seating to seven but give adult riders and growing teens plenty more space to stretch out, relax, and enjoy the ride. The Touring and Elite trims provide an intriguing middle ground between the seven- and eight-seat designs, boasting a removable middle seat in the second row that can easily stowed away to make a little extra room for bulky cargo while giving drivers the sort of flexibility that’s so important in any family-focused model. 

The Hyundai Palisade also provides the option to accommodate seven or eight passengers, though it ultimately leaves buyers with fewer choices than Honda’s SUV. The entry-level SE trim comes with a second-row bench seat, and while it’s also an option on the SEL Premium, every other trim comes standard with captain’s chairs that reduce the capacity to seven passengers. It’s an odd choice on the part of Hyundai, but it’s not the biggest difference between the two models when it comes to practicality. 

Plentiful cargo space is the true hallmark of any family-friendly vehicle, and the Pilot doesn’t disappoint with 18.6 cu.ft. behind the third row. That number increases to 48.5 cu.ft. with the third row stowed away, and all the way up to 87 cu.ft. when you nix the second row to make the Pilot one of the roomiest models in the midsize segment. Whether your daily drives include shuttling the kids between after-school activities, hitting the home improvement store for a load of lumber, or stocking up at your favorite warehouse club, the Pilot’s cavernous cabin is up to the task. 

Then there’s the Hyundai Palisade, which might be able to match the Pilot’s eight-passenger seating capacity, but it lags when it comes to cargo space. The Palisade has less room across the board with the 18 cu.ft. of space when all three rows are in use. With the third row folded away, the Hyundai offers just 45.8 cu.ft.; with both rear rows down, you get 86.4 cu.ft. This might make the Palisade less attractive to those looking for a true family vehicle.     

Get Your 2025 Pilot at Rusty Wallace Honda 

Performance, off-road ability, and cargo and passenger space are all key areas of concern when picking your next three-row SUV, but they’re not the only factors a discerning shopper should take into consideration. Interior tech and safety are both important in today’s auto market, and the Pilot and Palisade are both equipped with generous infotainment displays, digital gauge clusters, and helpful connectivity apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Each SUV also offers an arsenal of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. 

While it’s easy to compare vehicles on the internet, there’s no substitute for the type of up-close-and-personal experience a test drive can offer. If you’re on the hunt for a new three-row midsize SUV that can seamlessly transition from a busy afternoon running errands to a weekend of off-the-grid fun, stop by Rusty Wallace Honda and learn why the 2025 Honda Pilot is such an excellent choice.      

^[a]19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 19 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg rating for non-TrailSport AWD trims. 18 city/23 highway/20 combined mpg rating for TrailSport. Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.