Compare the2024 Honda PilotVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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

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

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Pilot for 2 years or 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander PHEV.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 37 more horsepower (285 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

The Pilot has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Pilot has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Pilot has larger standard tires than the Outlander PHEV (255/50R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Pilot TrailSport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander PHEV (265/60R18 vs. 255/45R20).

The Pilot TrailSport has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Outlander PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pilot’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (113.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pilot is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander PHEV.

For greater off-road capability the Pilot TrailSport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Pilot to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Honda Pilot may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 600 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Pilot has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV 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 PHEV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Pilot offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander PHEV can only carry 7.

The Pilot has 32.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander PHEV (158.4 vs. 125.5).

The Pilot has 4.5 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room, 5.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 6.2 inches more third row headroom, 13.4 inches more third row legroom, 2.5 inches more third row hip room and 8.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pilot. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pilot’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander PHEV’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Pilot uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander PHEV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Pilot and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Pilot is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander PHEV prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Pilot’s front and rear power windows all 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 PHEV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Pilot’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pilot’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander PHEV’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite’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 PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Pilot’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

The Pilot is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Pilot, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda Pilot outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over two to one during 2022.