Compare the2025 Honda PilotVS 2025 Buick Enclave

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 Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Pilot’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Pilot and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Honda Pilot has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Enclave has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 7 places higher in reliability than Buick.

On the EPA test cycle the Pilot 4WD gets better fuel mileage than the Enclave AWD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Pilot higher (7 out of 10) than the Buick Enclave (5). This means the Pilot produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Enclave every 15,000 miles.

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 Enclave.

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

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

For better maneuverability, the Pilot TrailSport’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Enclave’s (37.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Pilot’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Enclave w/22” wheels’ (37.8 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Pilot has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (7.3 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Pilot to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Pilot TrailSport’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Enclave (8.3 vs. 6.8 inches).

The Honda Pilot may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 250 pounds less than the Buick Enclave.

The Pilot is 7.7 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Pilot easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Pilot has .2 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more third row headroom, .4 inches more third row legroom and 1.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Enclave.

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

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

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

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

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

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pilot to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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

The Honda Pilot outsold the Buick Enclave by almost three to one during 2023.