Compare the2022 Honda PilotVS 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Pilot deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Pilot’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Outlander’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Pilot and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The Pilot’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 3 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

The engine in the Pilot has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Outlander has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 15 places higher in reliability than Mitsubishi.

The Pilot’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 99 more horsepower (280 vs. 181) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Pilot is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Pilot’s fuel efficiency. The Outlander doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Pilot’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Pilot has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (19.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Pilot has larger tires than the Outlander (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Pilot has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Pilot has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Pilot (except LX)’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Outlander doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pilot’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the Outlander (111 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Pilot is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Pilot has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Pilot uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Pilot has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Pilot has 26.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (151.7 vs. 125.5).

The Pilot has 5.1 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room, 6.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.4 inches more third row headroom, 13.2 inches more third row legroom, 2.5 inches more third row hip room and 6.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pilot’s middle and third row seats recline. The Outlander’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

The Pilot’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

The Pilot has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Outlander doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Pilot. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pilot’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Pilot’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Pilot the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pilot’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL.

The Pilot’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Pilot Elite/Black Edition keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition has a 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Honda Pilot has won recognition from these important consumer publications: