Compare the2024 Honda PilotVS 2024 Lexus TX

The Honda Pilot has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The TX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Pilot and the TX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, 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.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Honda Pilot is safer than the TX:

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 TX is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Pilot for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the TX (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

The Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (285 vs. 275) than the TX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Pilot is faster than the TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Pilot uses regular unleaded gasoline. The TX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Pilot has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 550h+’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 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 TX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Pilot, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the TX.

For better stopping power the Pilot’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the TX:

The Pilot stops shorter than the TX:

For better traction, the Pilot TrailSport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TX (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R20).

The Pilot has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The TX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 TX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For greater off-road capability the Pilot TrailSport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium 4dr Sport Utility (8.3 vs. 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 about 400 to 650 pounds less than the Lexus TX.

The Pilot is 3.2 inches shorter than the TX, making the Pilot easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Pilot uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The TX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Pilot offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the TX can only carry up to 7.

The Pilot has 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TX (158.4 vs. 153).

The Pilot has 1.9 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room, 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom and 2 inches more third row shoulder room than the TX.

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

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

The Honda Pilot outsold the Lexus TX by over 13 to one during 2023.