Honda Pilot Vs. Dodge Durango: Uncovering The Best Suv For Your Active Lifestyle
What To Know
- Both the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango offer spacious and comfortable interiors, catering to the needs of families and larger groups.
- The Pilot offers a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a suite of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
- The Pilot received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.
In the realm of three-row SUVs, the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango stand out as two formidable contenders. Both vehicles boast spacious interiors, powerful engines, and an array of features designed to accommodate families and adventurers alike. But which one comes out on top when it comes to overall value, performance, and reliability? In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the key aspects of the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango to help you make an informed decision.
Performance and Power: A Tale of Two Engines
Under the hood, the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango offer distinct powertrain options. The Pilot comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and offers a smooth and responsive driving experience.
The Dodge Durango, on the other hand, offers a more potent powertrain lineup. The base model features a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the top-tier SRT Hellcat trim boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that unleashes a staggering 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. Both Durango engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, ensuring seamless gear shifts and optimal performance.
Fuel Efficiency: Finding the Right Balance
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Honda Pilot holds a slight advantage over the Dodge Durango. The Pilot’s EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings stand at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for front-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive versions see a slight decrease to 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
The Dodge Durango, with its more powerful engines, exhibits lower fuel efficiency ratings. The base V6 model achieves 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the SRT Hellcat trim, with its monstrous V8, manages only 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.
Interior Space and Comfort: Room for the Whole Family
Both the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango offer spacious and comfortable interiors, catering to the needs of families and larger groups. The Pilot provides ample headroom and legroom in all three rows, ensuring a pleasant journey for passengers of all sizes. The second-row seats offer ample legroom and can accommodate child safety seats with ease. The third row, while not as spacious as the front two rows, still offers decent legroom for adults on shorter trips.
The Dodge Durango matches the Pilot in terms of interior space, offering generous headroom and legroom throughout the cabin. The second-row seats recline for added comfort, and the third row, while not as roomy as the Pilot’s, can still accommodate adults comfortably.
Cargo Capacity: Hauling Your Essentials
When it comes to cargo capacity, the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango offer comparable figures. Behind the third row, the Pilot provides 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down and 83.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat.
The Dodge Durango offers slightly more cargo space, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down.
Features and Technology: Enhancing Your Driving Experience
The Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango come equipped with a range of features and technologies designed to enhance your driving experience. The Pilot offers a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a suite of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
The Dodge Durango features a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with a premium audio system and a host of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning.
Safety: Ensuring Peace of Mind
Both the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango have earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Pilot received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The Durango also earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.
Pricing and Value: Finding the Sweet Spot
The Honda Pilot offers a more affordable starting price compared to the Dodge Durango. The base LX trim of the Pilot starts at $39,150, while the top-tier Black Edition trim retails for $50,420. The Dodge Durango, with its more powerful engines and additional features, has a higher starting price of $39,870 for the base SXT trim, rising to $82,995 for the SRT Hellcat trim.
Wrap-Up: Choosing the Right SUV for Your Needs
The Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango are both excellent choices for families and adventurers seeking a spacious and capable SUV. The Pilot offers a more fuel-efficient and affordable option, while the Durango delivers more power and a more luxurious interior. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which SUV has better fuel efficiency, the Honda Pilot or Dodge Durango?
The Honda Pilot offers better fuel efficiency than the Dodge Durango, with EPA-estimated ratings of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway compared to the Durango’s 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for the base V6 model.
2. Does the Honda Pilot or Dodge Durango have a more spacious interior?
Both the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango offer spacious interiors with ample headroom and legroom in all three rows. However, the Durango provides slightly more cargo space behind the third row and with both rear rows folded down.
3. Which SUV has more advanced safety features, the Honda Pilot or Dodge Durango?
Both the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango offer a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, the Durango offers additional features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning.
4. Is the Honda Pilot or Dodge Durango more affordable?
The Honda Pilot offers a more affordable starting price compared to the Dodge Durango, with the base LX trim starting at $39,150 compared to the Durango’s base SXT trim starting at $39,870.
5. Which SUV is better for towing and off-roading, the Honda Pilot or Dodge Durango?
The Dodge Durango offers better towing and off-road capabilities than the Honda Pilot, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds and a more robust four-wheel drive system with low-range gearing.
