Compare the2024 Honda PilotVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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 PHEV’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda Pilot is safer than the Outlander PHEV:

The Honda Pilot achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Outlander PHEV has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Pilot’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander PHEV’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.

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 4.4 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.

The Pilot’s cargo area is larger than the Outlander PHEV’s in every dimension:

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 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 using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pilot’s standard Push Button Start and Smart Entry allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander PHEV only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle The Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s available Push Button Start and Smart Entry also allows you to unlock the doors from either rear door handle. The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s available FAST-Key doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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/Black Edition’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/Black Edition 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 that 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Pilot owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pilot will cost $1210 to $3420 less than the Outlander PHEV over a five-year period.

The Pilot will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Pilot will retain 55.18% to 56.17% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander PHEV only retains 45.22% to 47.91%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Pilot will be $1934 to $2619 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pilot third among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Outlander PHEV isn’t in the top three.

The Honda Pilot outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over two to one during 2023.