🏆 The short answer
The 2023-and-newer Honda Pilot is a genuinely good three-row SUV: 113 cubic feet of cargo space, a roomy third row, and a proven 3.5L V6 making 285 horsepower. But it is gas-only, its warranty is short by 2026 standards, and several rivals now match or beat it on value. Below we rank the seven best alternatives and call out exactly what each one does better.
📊 Honda Pilot competitors at a glance
Pricing below reflects typical 2026 starting MSRP for a base front- or all-wheel-drive model, rounded, before destination. Reliability reflects general predicted-reliability patterns from major owner surveys, not a single guaranteed score.
| Model | Starts Around | Hybrid? | Reliability Pattern | Does Better Than Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride | $37,000 | No (yet) | Strong | Value, warranty, cabin feel |
| Hyundai Palisade | $37,500 | No (yet) | Strong | Luxury features, warranty |
| Toyota Highlander | $40,000 | Yes | Excellent | Hybrid mpg, resale value |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | $42,000 | Yes | Excellent | Third-row room + hybrid |
| Mazda CX-90 | $40,000 | PHEV avail. | Good | Driving feel, interior quality |
| Kia Sorento | $33,000 | Yes | Good | Price, hybrid option, size |
| Volkswagen Atlas | $38,000 | No | Average | Cargo space, low entry price |
| Honda Pilot (reference) | $40,500 | No | Good | Cargo room, third-row space, V6 simplicity |
🔍 The breakdown: what each rival does better
1. Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade (best value)
These two are built on the same platform and are the cars Pilot shoppers cross-shop most. You get a more upscale-feeling cabin, more standard driver assists, and Kia/Hyundai's class-leading warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain and 5 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper. A loaded Telluride SX or Palisade Calligraphy feels close to a luxury SUV for thousands less than a comparable Acura MDX. The catch: both are gas-only V6s with no hybrid yet, and the 8-speed automatic is generally trouble-free but worth a pre-purchase scan.
2. Toyota Highlander & Grand Highlander (best reliability + hybrid)
The Highlander Hybrid pairs a 2.5L four with electric motors for roughly 35-36 mpg combined, well above the Pilot's low-20s V6. Toyota's hybrid system has a long, proven track record, which is why these score so well on predicted reliability and hold resale value. The standard Highlander's third row is genuinely tight for adults, so Toyota added the larger Grand Highlander, which matches or beats the Pilot for third-row legroom while keeping the hybrid option. If a check-engine light ever does appear, our guide to P0420 (catalyst efficiency) covers one of the most common codes on high-mileage Toyota and Honda V6s alike.
3. Mazda CX-90 (best to drive)
The CX-90 is the enthusiast pick. Its inline-6 turbo (or plug-in hybrid four) sends power through a rear-drive-based layout that handles more like a sport sedan than a family hauler. The interior materials genuinely rival Audi at the price. Trade-offs: a firmer ride, a slightly smaller third row, and an early-production transmission that some owners found jerky at low speeds, so test a 2026 build and listen for harsh shifts. If you feel transmission jerking when shifting on a test drive, that is the thing to flag.
4. Kia Sorento (best smaller-footprint pick)
The Sorento is a half-size down from the Pilot, which makes it cheaper, easier to park, and available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Its third row is best for kids or short trips. If you do not actually use the third row often, the Sorento saves you several thousand dollars and a few mpg over the Pilot.
5. Volkswagen Atlas (cheapest entry, watch the long game)
The Atlas often has the lowest entry price of any three-row here and offers cavernous cargo space. Be honest about the trade: VW's long-term reliability scores trail the Japanese and Korean rivals, and turbo-four ownership can mean pricier out-of-warranty repairs. A used Atlas is fine; just budget for it and get a pre-purchase inspection.
⚠️ What to watch when you cross-shop
- Warranty math: Kia and Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage is worth real money against the Pilot's 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, especially if you keep cars a long time.
- Hybrid availability: The Pilot has no hybrid for 2026. If 35+ mpg matters, you are looking at a Toyota, Kia Sorento, or Mazda PHEV, full stop.
- New-transmission risk: The 2023-plus Pilot runs a 10-speed automatic and the CX-90 a fresh 8-speed; both have less field history than Toyota's hybrid eCVT. On any used example, scan for stored codes before you buy.
- Third-row reality: The Pilot and Grand Highlander seat adults back there; the standard Highlander, Sorento, and CX-90 are tighter. Sit in the third row yourself.
- Resale value: Toyota and Honda historically hold value best, so a slightly higher purchase price can wash out at trade-in time.
🧮 How to pick in 30 seconds
- Want the best value and longest warranty? Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade.
- Want a hybrid and bulletproof reliability? Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or Grand Highlander if you need the bigger third row.
- Want something fun to drive with a premium cabin? Mazda CX-90.
- Want to spend less and skip the giant footprint? Kia Sorento.
- Want maximum cargo space on a budget? Volkswagen Atlas, with a pre-purchase inspection.
- Still want the Pilot? It is the right call if you want a roomy third row, big cargo hold, and a simple naturally aspirated V6 with no turbo or hybrid complexity.
Whichever way you lean, get an out-the-door number on each and run a used candidate through a quote check. Our repair quote checker flags overpriced shop estimates, and a quick AI diagnosis surfaces the known problem areas for that specific year and trim before you sign.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📝 TL;DR
The best Honda Pilot competitors, ranked: Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade for value and warranty, Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander for hybrid efficiency and reliability, Mazda CX-90 for driving feel, Kia Sorento for a smaller cheaper footprint, and Volkswagen Atlas for budget cargo space. The Pilot still wins if you want a roomy third row, big cargo hold, and a simple V6 with no turbo or hybrid. Always get an out-the-door price on each and inspect any used example before you buy.