2026–27 Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Pathfinder — it leads our weighted scorecard 6.5–0 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,990 vs $42,395) and fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.38 vs 1.07). The Pilot doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Pathfinder 6.5 pts · Pilot 0 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Pathfinder | 2026 Pilot | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $39,990 | $42,395 | Pathfinder |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.38 | 1.07 | Pathfinder |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 46.6% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 295 hp | 285 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Pathfinder |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 18.6 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 8 | 7 | Pathfinder |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 6.9% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 7 | Pathfinder |
| Weighted points | 6.5 | 0 | Pathfinder |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Pathfinder 23 mpg vs Pilot 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Pathfinder — 8 vs 7 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Pathfinder — $39,990 vs $42,395 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $27,959 for the Pathfinder vs $23,704 for the Pilot.
- Towing. Towing: the Pathfinder — 6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Pathfinder starts at $39,990 and tops out at $49,890; the Pilot runs $42,395 to $55,195 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Pilot buyers paid a median 6.9% off MSRP across 48 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8% off. Used, the median asking price is $27,959 for the Pathfinder and $23,704 for the Pilot (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Pathfinder: 0.38 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 71th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Pilot: 1.07 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 17th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Pathfinder 4, Pilot 7.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Pathfinder 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Pathfinder | 2026 Pilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $39,990 | $42,395 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $49,890 | $55,195 |
| Horsepower | 284–295 hp | 285 hp |
| Max torque | 270 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–23 mpg | 20–22 mpg |
| Max towing | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 8 / 8 | 7 / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 18.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Pathfinder yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Pilot lists for a median $24,934 — 46.6% of today's median new price of $53,502.
Shop both
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Nissan Pathfinder
More on the Honda Pilot
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Pathfinder better than the Pilot?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Pathfinder — it leads our weighted scorecard 6.5–0 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,990 vs $42,395) and fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.38 vs 1.07). The Pilot doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Pathfinder or the Pilot?
On federal data, the Pathfinder: owners filed 0.38 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 1.07 for the Pilot (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Pathfinder and 7 for the Pilot.
Which holds its value better, the Pathfinder or the Pilot?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Pathfinder or the Pilot?
The Pathfinder starts lower: $39,990 vs $42,395 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Pathfinder or the Pilot?
It's a wash: 23 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/nissan-pathfinder-vs-honda-pilot, updated November 8, 2026.