Six Things the Pathfinder Does Better Than the Honda Pilot

Midsize SUVs are great for many drivers, and full-size models are ideal for folks who want something really big; a three-row SUV is the perfect in-between choice if you prefer a vehicle that gives you lots of seating inside without being too large. If you're interested in a great three-row SUV that is incredibly fun to drive, then now's the perfect time to start looking for a Nissan Pathfinder for sale. 

Of course, the Pathfinder isn't the only three-row SUV out there, but we think it's the best-and that's probably not a shock since we're a Nissan dealership. However, if you compare the 2025 Pathfinder to a similar three-row model like the 2025 Honda Pilot, you'll see a number of things that Nissan's SUV simply does better.

#1 - Greater Performance

Something easy to overlook when shopping for an SUV is the engine and the kind of performance it offers. We all know that this is important in flashy sports cars and hard-working trucks, but it's just as vital in an SUV. You want something powerful and fun to drive, ensuring you have a great time whenever you hit the road. This is even more important with a three-row SUV like this since it's a larger model. Nissan clearly understands this and gives you remarkable power to enhance your time behind the wheel.

Both of these SUVs have a 3.5L V6 engine in them. The Honda Pilot's V6 offers 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. With the Nissan Pathfinder, however, you can enjoy 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, providing greater performance in both ways. It's not a huge difference, but it's noticeable and something you can really feel. What's more, you can get slightly better gas mileage from the Pathfinder, too, keeping you on the road longer. Both of these models have front-wheel drive (FWD) standard, but the Pathfinder gives you available four-wheel drive (4x4) compared to available all-wheel drive (AWD) with the Honda Pilot; both are great, but we prefer 4x4 for its more impressive traction and handling.

#2 - Greater Capabilities

This might not matter for every driver, but your SUV's capabilities are notable and can make a big difference if you have a camper or trailer that you want to use. If you go with the standard equipment and features on these two SUVs, then they actually offer the same level of towing: up to 3,500 lbs. We're impressed to see that Honda has matched Nissan's remarkable engineering in terms of standard trailering capabilities, but the Pilot still falls behind.

When properly equipped for maximum towing capacity, the 2025 Honda Pilot tops out at 5,000 lbs-decent, but not amazing. The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, however, can handle 6,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity when properly equipped. That's a significant difference and a major advantage for the Pathfinder if you plan on towing regularly. Not every SUV out there is built for towing, but it's great to be able to cart a boat, camper, or trailer full of supplies for a weekend project behind your daily driver, making the Pathfinder a fantastic choice for a lot of folks.

#3 - Superior Off-Roading

Much like with towing, both of these SUVs have a dedicated off-road trim available, but once again, the Pathfinder simply does it better. For the Honda Pilot, the TrailSport is its off-road trim, and it has standard AWD with drive modes for things like Snow and Sand. AWD is certainly better than FWD for heading off-road, but it's not our top choice. This trim has straightforward 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, which is nice, but overall, we'd just like to see more from it.

With the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, the Rock Creek trim is the one you'll want to take off-road. You get 4x4 standard, and while the differences between 4x4 and AWD can be subtle, we much prefer the former that you get with the Pathfinder for its incredible traction and control. The Rock Creek comes with 18-inch beadlock-style wheels that are ideal for heading off-road, wrapped in all-terrain tires for the best traction possible. You even get an HD Intelligent Around View Monitor for excellent visibility while maneuvering on the trail.

#4 - Nicer Interior Tech 

Although things like towing and off-road features might not matter to every driver, we can all agree that we want impressive tech inside our vehicles. The Honda Pilot has some decent things on offer, including a standard seven-inch driver display, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a seven-speaker sound system. Available options take things even further thanks to a nine-inch infotainment screen, a 10.2-inch driver display, and a 12-speaker sound system.

Looking at the 2025 Pathfinder, its standard features are quite similar: a seven-inch driver display and a six-speaker sound system, although it has a larger eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. Once you start checking out available options, then it becomes clear that Nissan gives you more to enjoy. The nine-inch touchscreen in the high-end trims looks fantastic, and you can get a stunning 12.3-inch driver display that's much larger than the biggest display in the Pilot. Best of all, the available 13-speaker Bose Premium sound system takes audio quality to the next level and creates an incredible driving experience that you'll enjoy each day.

#5 - Great Trim Levels

The trim levels available for any particular vehicle are an important part of what a car company offers since these dictate much of what drivers get. Nissan keeps things simple while still giving plenty of fantastic options to choose from. There are five Pathfinder trims, starting with the base S, then an SV and SL that each build on that, a pinnacle Platinum, and the off-road-focused Rock Creek. 

Honda, on the other hand, makes things needlessly complicated with more trim levels that don't add much. The Sport is the base trim, with an EX-L and Touring that build on that, plus the TrailSport trim as its off-road option; finally, the Elite trim seems like the pinnacle, but there's a Black Edition at a higher price point that doesn't offer much extra. We prefer how Nissan keeps things simpler.

#6 - All at a Lower Price

Looking at the starting prices on both models, the Pathfinder is offered at a lower price than the Honda Pilot, even though they have a lot of comparable features. From there, this pattern continues and you can similarly get the Rock Creek trim at a significantly lower cost than the Pilot's TrailSport. The Pilot's Elite trim is similarly more expensive than the Pathfinder's Platinum. Overall, the Pathfinder represents a better value that lets your money stretch further, giving you more even if you need to stick to a budget.

Ready to See the Pathfinder for Yourself?

So far, we've only touched on a handful of the ways that Nissan gives you more than Honda when you're shopping for a three-row SUV. We didn't mention other differences, such as how you have more freedom to choose between seven- or eight-passenger configurations with the Pathfinder, let alone the remarkable suite of standard driver assistance features you get with Nissan Safety Shield 360 on every Pathfinder. 

No matter what you're looking for in this class of SUV, Nissan delivers an amazing driving experience that you'll enjoy each day while also keeping your costs down. Now, all you have to do is visit us at Reineke Nissan to see the 2025 Pathfinder for yourself!