2020 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2020 Honda Pilot: Features & Specs Comparison

specs features trim price 2020 nissan pathfinder vs 2020 honda pilot | Mike Smith Nissan

Today we are contrasting mid-size SUVs that were birthed in very different ways. The Nissan Pathfinder was initially presented as a 2-door SUV back in 1986. The intriguing aspect of the first Pathfinder is that while it was an extremely qualified off-road SUV, the interior was roomy and comfy. Having a comfy and capable SUV was something of a novelty at the time. As a matter of fact, it was so capable off-road that by the time the Honda Pilot debuted in 2003 a version of the Nissan Pathfinder had actually entered the renowned Paris-Dakar rally several times, winning several times in its category. While rally-winning Sport Utility Vehicles may not be on a lot of automobile buyers’ minds, that off-road heritage is baked into the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. Can it contend with a revitalized Honda Pilot? Let’s dig in and see.

Performance

This section is most likely to be very comparable as both the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder and the ’20 Honda Pilot both use 3.5 L V6 engines. The primary distinction between them is that the Nissan variation is a DOHC with Direct Injection, while the Honda is only a SOHC but with VTEC. The Pathfinder has 284hp, while the Honda has 280hp. The Pathfinder features an Xtronic CVT, while the Pilot has either a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic. According to fueleconomy.gov, both SUVs can get approximately 27 miles per gallon on the freeway when in the FWD arrangement.

Design

These two SUVs have taken a divergent course when it comes to styling. The 2020 Pathfinder plainly looks like the other SUV versions within the Nissan fleet without being a carbon copy. With 18-inch wheels, seating for 7, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the 2020 Pathfinder not just looks adventurous, but with 30 years worth of tough ability, it can go with confidence on those journeys. The Pilot is a different tale, written to take on the mall and carpool lanes. While the pilot additionally has 18-inch wheels and seating for 7-8, it can only tow an optimum of 5000 pounds. Inside the stories are similar, Honda requires an upgrade to obtain the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system while the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is installed in every Pathfinder. Additionally, while both SUVs include leather seating, heated seats, and offered Navigation systems only the Pathfinder has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as options.

Tech Highlights

We discussed several of the comfort modern technology up above when referencing the interior design. In this area, we’ll be focusing on the safety tech provided by both SUVs. The brand-new Nissan Pathfinder features a Rearview Monitor, Rear Sonar System, Rear Door Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking as standard features. Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an Intelligent Around View Monitor are offered upgrades on the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. The new Pilot features the Honda Sensing safety collection featuring Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning amongst the technology. Blind Spot Warning with Cross Traffic Monitor is readily available as an upgrade.