4255 6th Ave SE Aberdeen, SD 57401-0900
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot SUVs are great for car buyers looking for a vehicle with three rows, V6 performance, and enough storage space for all your gear. However, the differences are most notable when you add towing, winter traction, trailer technology, and cabin utility.
The Nissan Pathfinder uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, giving the SUV a direct, steady feel during acceleration and when passing on the highway. The Honda Pilot also uses a V6 engine, rated at 285 horsepower, which places both SUVs close on paper. The Nissan Pathfinder gains a stronger advantage with its available Intelligent 4x4 system and seven driver-selectable modes for snow, rain, sand, dirt, gravel, towing, and daily driving.
Families traveling toward Sioux Falls, SD, will appreciate that the Nissan Pathfinder lets drivers adjust to changing pavement conditions rather than relying on a single all-purpose setting. The Honda Pilot is smooth and composed, yet the Nissan Pathfinder is better suited for snow-packed roads, gravel routes, and weekend travel.
The Nissan Pathfinder has a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds, giving it a clear advantage over the Honda Pilot, which tows up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive (AWD) or 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive (FWD). That extra capacity matters for drivers pulling a fishing boat, a small camper, a utility trailer, or powersports equipment around Aberdeen, SD, and on longer weekend routes.
Cargo volume is the one area where the Honda Pilot has the advantage, with up to 113.7 cubic feet of space compared to 80.5 cubic feet in the Nissan Pathfinder. However, the Nissan still makes a better case with its higher tow rating, available Intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD), Tow Mode, Trailer Sway Control, and easy-folding rear seats.
| Category | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | 2026 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5 L V6 | 3.5 L V6 |
| Engine power | 284 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Engine torque | 259 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed shiftable automatic |
| City/Hwy/Combined MPG | 20 / 25 / 22 MPG | 19 / 25 / 21 MPG |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 18.5 gal. |
| Ground Clearance | 7.1 in. | 7.3 in. |
| Length | 197.7 in. | 200.1 in. |
| Edmunds Rating | 6.4 /10 | 6.4 /10 |
The Nissan Pathfinder has a more rugged look than the Honda Pilot, with squared-off body lines and a confident stance that fits its trailering and 4x4 personality. The Honda Pilot has a clean family-SUV shape, but the Nissan presents more visual strength from the front fascia to the rear liftgate.
Inside, the Nissan Pathfinder seats up to eight passengers, or seven with available second-row captain's chairs. Available heated and ventilated front seats, available three-row USB ports, and an available panoramic moonroof provide useful comfort features without turning the dashboard into a distraction. Fargo, ND, families making long drives for school events, hockey weekends, or holiday travel will find the Nissan Pathfinder cabin easy to use and easy to pack.
The Nissan Pathfinder gives families around Watertown, SD, useful tech features that aren't basic. A 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android Auto™, NissanConnect®, and available wireless charging support daily driving without cable clutter. Available dual 12.3-inch displays, a head-up display, and the 13-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System give the Nissan Pathfinder a more upscale setup on higher trims.
The Honda Pilot also offers great infotainment features, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Google built-in on select trims, available Bose® audio, and wireless smartphone integration, but the Nissan Pathfinder has the advantage with the available HD Enhanced Intelligent Around View® Monitor, which is more focused on trailering, parking, and driver visibility.
Safety equipment gives the Nissan Pathfinder a practical edge. Standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360 includes:
The Honda Pilot includes Honda Sensing® with Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Attention Monitor, and Auto High-Beam Headlights.
Although both SUVs meet your highway safety needs, the Nissan Pathfinder offers greater low-speed assistance with Rear Automatic Braking and additional camera views when driving in Grand Forks, ND.
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder comes out on top, thanks to its high towing capacity, available Intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD), multiple drive and terrain modes, useful towing technology, strong cargo flexibility, and a cabin built around real family travel. It feels better matched to northern Plains driving, especially for customers who need winter control, trailer-ready hardware, and space that works beyond the weekday routine.
Browse our new inventory online or in person at Harr Nissan in Aberdeen, SD, to see which new Nissan Pathfinder models we have in stock and ready to drive home.
Explore financing and leasing options using our convenient finance center shopping tools on our website, and search new Nissan specials for savings opportunities on your selected new Nissan Pathfinder.
