Honda Pilot vs Odyssey: SUV or Minivan for Your Family?
Published October 7, 2026 · Last updated October 7, 2026
The Honda Pilot vs Odyssey decision is SUV versus minivan, and both seat up to eight with a V6 and a 10-speed automatic. The 2027 Honda Odyssey wins on pure family space: a 38.1-inch third row, 32.8 cubic feet of cargo behind it, power sliding doors and Magic Slide second-row seats, from $43,195. The 2026 Honda Pilot wins on all-weather traction and capability, with available all-wheel drive, 5,000 pounds of towing, a bigger touchscreen and a lower $42,195 starting price.
Pilot or Odyssey: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2027 Honda Odyssey if your third row gets used every day: 5.6 more inches of third-row legroom, nearly twice the cargo space behind the third row, power sliding doors on every trim and CabinWatch on Touring and Elite.
- Choose the 2026 Honda Pilot if you need all-wheel drive or towing: AWD from $44,295, up to 5,000 pounds of towing, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in and an off-road TrailSport.
- Bottom line for NYC: families with young kids and car seats get more daily ease from the Odyssey; families who head upstate in snow or tow a camper lean Pilot.
Model-year timing: This comparison uses the 2027 Honda Odyssey, now at dealers, and the 2026 Honda Pilot, the current Pilot in stock. Honda had not announced a 2027 Pilot for the U.S. at the time of writing. See where the Pilot sits in Honda's SUV range in our Honda SUV lineup comparison: HR-V vs CR-V vs Passport vs Pilot.
Pilot vs Odyssey at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2027 Honda Odyssey | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $42,195 (Sport, FWD). Destination $1,495 | $43,195 (EX-L). Destination $1,595 | Pilot |
| Body style | 3-row SUV | Minivan with power sliding doors | Depends on needs |
| Seating | 8; 7 on TrailSport | 8 | Tie |
| Length / wheelbase | 200.1 / 113.8 in | 205.2 / 118.1 in | Pilot (parking) |
| Legroom 2nd / 3rd row | 40.8 / 32.5 in | 40.9 / 38.1 in | Odyssey |
| Cargo behind 3rd / 2nd / 1st row | 18.6 / 48.5 / 87.0 cu ft | 32.8 / 86.6 / 140.7 cu ft | Odyssey |
| Engine | 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft; 10-speed | 3.5L V6, 280 hp, 262 lb-ft; 10-speed | Tie |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD; AWD standard from TrailSport up | FWD only | Pilot |
| EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb) | FWD 19/27/22; AWD 19/25/21 | 19/28/22 | Odyssey (slightly) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb (AWD); 3,500 lb (FWD) | 3,500 lb | Pilot |
| Screens | 12.3-in touchscreen; 10.2-in digital cluster; Google built-in | 9-in touchscreen; 7-in TFT meter | Pilot |
| Family tech | CabinTalk; removable 2nd-row middle seat (EX-L and up, except TrailSport) | CabinTalk; Magic Slide seats; CabinWatch and 12.8-in rear screen (Touring, Elite) | Odyssey |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | Tie |
Passenger Space and Third-Row Comfort
Is the Odyssey bigger than the Pilot? Yes. At 205.2 inches long, the Odyssey is about 5 inches longer than the 200.1-inch Pilot, and its wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer. Both are 78.5 inches wide. That extra length goes straight into the cabin: the Odyssey has 160.1 cubic feet of passenger volume and 38.1 inches of third-row legroom, compared with 32.5 inches in the Pilot.
Second-row legroom is essentially the same: 40.9 inches in the Odyssey and 40.8 in the Pilot. The Pilot's second row is still flexible: on the EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition, the middle seat can be removed and stored under the cargo floor. The TrailSport comes with second-row captain's chairs and seats seven.
Cargo Space
Which has more cargo space? The Odyssey, by a wide margin. With all three rows in use, it holds 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, nearly twice the Pilot's 18.6, enough for a full grocery run plus a stroller. Fold the Odyssey's third-row Magic Seat into the floor and space grows to 86.6 cubic feet, versus 48.5 in the Pilot. Behind the front seats, it is 140.7 cubic feet against 87.0, and with the second row removed, the Odyssey fits 4x8 sheets of plywood.
If you regularly fill all eight seats and still need room for luggage, the minivan is in a different class.
AWD vs FWD: Weather and Traction
Does the Odyssey have AWD? No. The 2027 Odyssey is front-wheel drive only. The Pilot offers Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive for $2,100 on the Sport and EX-L, and it is standard on the TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition, with drive modes including Snow, Sand and Trail.
For most driving in the five boroughs, a front-wheel-drive Odyssey with good winter tires handles snow days well. If you ski in the Catskills, drive unplowed roads upstate or want extra confidence on icy hills, the Pilot's all-wheel drive is the main reason to choose the SUV.
Engine, Towing and MPG
Both use Honda's 3.5-liter V6 with a 10-speed automatic. Honda rates the Pilot at 285 hp and the 2027 Odyssey at 280 hp, both with 262 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is close: the Odyssey is EPA-rated 19 mpg city, 28 highway and 22 combined; the front-wheel-drive Pilot 19/27/22 and the all-wheel-drive Pilot 19/25/21. The Odyssey has a slightly larger 19.5-gallon tank, versus 18.5 in the Pilot.
Towing favors the Pilot: up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive and 3,500 with front-wheel drive, while the Odyssey is rated for 3,500 pounds.
Family Features: Sliding Doors, Magic Slide Seats and CabinWatch
This is where the minivan earns its reputation. Every Odyssey has power sliding doors, so kids can climb in without swinging a door into the car parked next to you, a real advantage in tight Brooklyn garages and school pickup lines. The Magic Slide second-row seats move side to side, so you can push a car seat over to open a path to the third row, or slide the seats together to keep siblings apart. The one-motion 60/40 Magic Seat folds the third row flat into the floor.
Every Odyssey also has CabinTalk, which plays the driver's voice through the rear speakers and headphones. The Touring and Elite add CabinWatch, a camera that shows the second and third rows on the 9-inch touchscreen, plus a 12.8-inch rear entertainment screen. The Pilot also has CabinTalk on every trim and counters with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, Google built-in and tri-zone climate control.
Trims and Price
The Pilot starts lower, but the Odyssey costs less trim for trim. The front-wheel-drive Pilot Sport begins at $42,195, $1,000 below the Odyssey EX-L. Compare leather-trimmed family trims, though, and the Odyssey EX-L at $43,195 costs $1,300 less than the front-wheel-drive Pilot EX-L at $44,495. At the top, the Odyssey Elite at $52,095 costs $1,400 less than the Pilot Elite.
2026 Honda Pilot trims
Sport $42,195 ($44,295 AWD), EX-L $44,495 ($46,595 AWD), TrailSport $50,395, Touring $51,095, Touring Blackout $52,295, Elite $53,495 and Black Edition $54,995, plus a $1,495 destination charge. Compare every trim in Honda Pilot Trims Compared: Sport vs EX-L vs TrailSport vs Touring vs Elite, or browse new Honda Pilot inventory.
2027 Honda Odyssey trims
EX-L $43,195, Sport-L $44,295, Touring $47,895 and Elite $52,095, plus a $1,595 destination charge. The EX-L and Sport-L use HondaTex synthetic leather; Touring and Elite get leather. Compare every trim in Honda Odyssey Trims Compared: EX-L vs Sport vs Touring vs Elite, or browse new Honda inventory at Plaza Honda.
Lease specials are updated every month, so check the current Honda lease specials (updated monthly) and Honda manufacturer incentives and rebates, and explore Honda financing. Trading in? Get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your current car before you visit.
Bonus: Odyssey vs CR-V for Smaller Families
If you are deciding between an Odyssey and a CR-V, the question is how many seats you need. The 2027 CR-V seats five, starts at $31,520, is about 20 inches shorter at 184.8 inches and offers a hybrid rated up to 40 mpg combined. It holds 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats in gas form. Once a third child, grandparents or carpools enter the picture, the Odyssey's eight seats and 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row are worth the extra cost. See how the CR-V compares with Honda's three-row SUV in Honda Pilot vs CR-V: Compact or 3-Row Family SUV?
Weighing the Odyssey against the Passport? The 2027 Passport is a five-seat SUV with standard all-wheel drive and up to 9.65 inches of ground clearance on the TrailSport, so it suits active families who don't need a third row. Read Honda Passport vs Pilot to see how it compares with Honda's three-row SUV.
Which Should You Buy?
Car seats and carpools
Power sliding doors, Magic Slide seats and a 38.1-inch third row make daily school runs easier.
Snow and road trips
Available all-wheel drive with Snow mode and up to 5,000 pounds of towing.
Maximum cargo
32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, nearly twice the Pilot's 18.6.
Tech and parking
A 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, in a body 5.1 inches shorter.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Pilot | $42,195 vs $43,195 |
| Price trim for trim | Odyssey | EX-L $1,300 less; Elite $1,400 less |
| Third row and cargo | Odyssey | 38.1 vs 32.5 in legroom; 32.8 vs 18.6 cu ft |
| All-weather traction | Pilot | AWD available; Odyssey is FWD only |
| Towing | Pilot | 5,000 vs 3,500 lb |
| Fuel economy | Tie | 22 mpg combined (FWD) |
| Overall for NYC families | Split | Odyssey for space and car seats; Pilot for AWD and towing |
Still deciding? Compare the Pilot with Honda's compact SUV in Honda Pilot vs Honda CR-V, see the five-seat alternative in Honda Passport vs Pilot, or read Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Honda delivers your new or pre-owned vehicle to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Farther away? Delivery is available on request.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryHonda Pilot vs Odyssey: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Odyssey bigger than the Pilot?
Yes. The 2027 Honda Odyssey is 205.2 inches long, about 5 inches longer than the 200.1-inch Pilot, with a 4.3-inch longer wheelbase. Both are 78.5 inches wide. The Odyssey has 38.1 inches of third-row legroom versus 32.5 in the Pilot, and 160.1 cubic feet of passenger volume.
Which has more cargo space, the Pilot or the Odyssey?
The Odyssey. It holds 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 86.6 behind the second row and 140.7 behind the front seats. The Pilot holds 18.6, 48.5 and 87.0 cubic feet in the same positions. With the second row removed, the Odyssey fits 4x8 sheets of plywood.
Does the Odyssey have AWD?
No. The 2027 Honda Odyssey is front-wheel drive only. If you need all-wheel drive in a Honda three-row vehicle, the Pilot offers i-VTM4 AWD for $2,100 on the Sport and EX-L, and it is standard on the TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition.
Which is better for car seats, the Pilot or the Odyssey?
For most families, the Odyssey. Power sliding doors open wide without hitting the car next to you, the Magic Slide second-row seats shift sideways to open a path to the third row, and the third row has 38.1 inches of legroom. The Pilot offers a removable second-row middle seat on the EX-L and above (except the TrailSport), but its third row is tighter at 32.5 inches.
Is the Odyssey or CR-V better for a small family?
For a family of four or fewer, the CR-V is usually the better value. The 2027 CR-V seats five, starts at $31,520, is about 20 inches shorter and offers a hybrid rated up to 40 mpg combined. The Odyssey makes more sense once you need more than five seats or regularly carry luggage with a full cabin.
Should I buy an Odyssey or a Passport?
It depends on how many seats you need. The 2027 Odyssey seats eight with 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. The 2027 Passport is a five-seat SUV with standard all-wheel drive, 5,000 pounds of towing and up to 9.65 inches of ground clearance on the TrailSport, so it suits active families who never need a third row.
Test-Drive the Pilot and Odyssey at Plaza Honda
Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave) keeps both in stock, so you can drive the Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey back to back, and bring your car seats to try them in both. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves drivers from Queens, Staten Island and Long Island, with free delivery within 25 miles. Browse new Honda inventory, look at certified pre-owned Hondas, book service, or call Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785.
*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information available as of October 7, 2026 and are subject to change. Towing varies by configuration. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
