 Honda Pilot EX AWD |  Honda CR-V EX |
Planet's Executive Summary
"Crossovers" like the
CR-V and Pilot continue to grow in market share because
these vehicles offer so much utility and fuel economy.
They began life on unibody car frames rather than heavy duty pickup truck frames so they can offer the value of a family sedan and the practicality of a larger SUV without the wasteful
overkill. With Honda's enviable reputation for quality and reliability, you can't go wrong with either the CR-V or the Pilot.
Comparably equipped as EX models, CR-V costs about $3,000 less. It is the best-selling crossover in the United States.
Honda introduced an all-new Pilot for 2016, and no one will miss its boxy predecessor which debuted in 2009 and received few updates along the way. (The previous Pilot looked like Honda kidnapped a bunch of Volvo engineers from the 1970s and wouldn't release them until they had extracted every last right angle from them). Styling now is contemporary, stylish, and wouldn't look out of place on an Acura costing $10,000 more. Pilot is considerably larger, and seats up to eight compared to five for the CR-V.
Honda Sensing, a suite of active safety technologies including emergency braking, active steering, adaptive cruise control, and other nifty features, is available on both vehicles. Both also offer standard back-up cameras.
Comparably equipped as EX models, CR-V costs about $3,000 less. It is the best-selling crossover in the United States.
Honda introduced an all-new Pilot for 2016, and no one will miss its boxy predecessor which debuted in 2009 and received few updates along the way. (The previous Pilot looked like Honda kidnapped a bunch of Volvo engineers from the 1970s and wouldn't release them until they had extracted every last right angle from them). Styling now is contemporary, stylish, and wouldn't look out of place on an Acura costing $10,000 more. Pilot is considerably larger, and seats up to eight compared to five for the CR-V.
Honda Sensing, a suite of active safety technologies including emergency braking, active steering, adaptive cruise control, and other nifty features, is available on both vehicles. Both also offer standard back-up cameras.
| Differences
| CR-V EX AWD
| Pilot EX AWD |
Key Dimensions | | |
Ground clearance Surprisingly, the smaller car clears obstacles better. | 8.2" | 7.3" |
| Length CR-V is a dream for tight Boston parking decks, but Pilot's FOURTEEN extra inches offer much more comfort and utility. | 181" | 195" |
| Width | 73" | 78.6" |
| Height | 66.5" | 69.8" |
| Wheelbase Longer wheelbase gives a lot more ride comfort in the Pilot. | 104.7" | 111.0" |
Cargo Space Honda has packaged the CR-V efficiently, but a bigger car is a bigger car. |  39 cubic feet (seats up) 76 cubic feet (seats down) |  46 cubic feet (seats up) 83 cubic feet (seats down) |
Standard Engine Bigger, heavier Pilot needs more go-go to get around. |  1.5 liter turbocharged in-line four cylinder with 190 horsepower | 
3.5 liter in-line six cylinder with 280 horsepower |
Fuel Economy Pilot comes standard with six-speed auto transmission but Touring and Elite models come with a NINE (!) speed transmission which delivers an extra mile per gallon city. | Continuously variable auto transmission: AWD: 27 city, 33 hwy | Six speed auto transmission AWD: 18 city, 26 highway |
| Crash tests Both are "Top Safety Picks" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but CR-V goes one better to get the coveted "Plus" designation. |  |  |
Price Comparably equipped EX models are separated by about $3,000 in price. Pilot is a much larger vehicle and offers more standard goodies. | $28,995 | $32,430 |
Subaru Competition You can't go wrong with the Pilot or CR-V, but Subaru builds some worthy competitors. And as far as the buying experience goes, we think you'll love meeting our greeter, Blue, and all the rest of our cool folks. |
...Or look at our nice Honda trades...
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We sell Subarus near Boston and Cambrigge rather than the Honda CR-V or Honda Pilot, but we have a great comparison between the two Hondas which suggests you might appreciate the knowledgeable folks at Planet who have worthy Subaru competitors to the CR-V and Pilot.
