Honda Pilot vs Nissan Pathfinder
Three-row SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Pilot's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Pathfinder's own years, its best bet is 2020; years to avoid: 2013; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Honda Pilot
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017, 2019
Nissan Pathfinder
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2013
- Be careful 2014, 2023
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Pilot year says nothing about whether it beats a Pathfinder. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Honda Pilot | Nissan Pathfinder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly fuel system and brakes | Side by side |
| 2022 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly brakes and engine | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly power train and air bags | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.0× usual, mostly power train and air bags | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Honda Pilot | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 3.5L 6-cyl, 285 hp | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 20–22 mpg | 21–23 mpg |
| Seats | — | 8 |
| Third row | — | Yes |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 22 | 0 · 10 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Pilot Sport first listed | Pilot Black Edition last listed | Pathfinder Platinum first listed | Pathfinder SV last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Ventilated front seats | No | Standard | — | — |
| Sunroof or moonroof | No | Standard | — | — |
| 360-degree camera | No | No | — | — |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | No | — | — |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Pilot, Pathfinder).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Honda Pilot
29 manufacturer programs on file: 29 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. (ONL6T603102023-4, 2017–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date. (ONL6T603102023-2, 2018–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for 2010-12 Accord and Other Listed Years and Models (Expires September 30, 2028) (19-003-1, 2010–2012, 2014–2015 models)
- Extended coverage Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Honda is extending the warranty coverage for valve… (A23-009, 2017–2020 models)
Nissan Pathfinder
23 manufacturer programs on file: 5 extended coverage, 18 repair programs.
- Extended coverage OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage If an owner contacts a dealer with a CVT concern in an owned or leased vehicle, verify warranty coverage for the specific VIN and then inform the customer of any diagnostic charges. CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer… (2015–2018 models)
- Extended coverage If a customer contacts the dealer with a CVT concern in an owned or leased vehicle, dealers should use the appropriate Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to diagnose the root cause of the customer concern and identify the correct repair to… (2014-2018, 2015–2018 models)
- Extended coverage SVC orders (beginning today) *Status of orders is as of time of cancellation Dealers may inquire about their position on the backorder list by sending an email including the following information to: DPICUSA@my-nissan-usa.com - Dealer… (PC500, 2013–2014 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2012, 2015–2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2013: the Pilot is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.3× usual), while the Pathfinder is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.0× usual, mostly power train and air bags). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Pathfinder 2013.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Pilot 2025; Pathfinder 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Pathfinder at 23 mpg (Pilot: 22), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.