Drivers looking for their next SUV will have two great options with the 2018 Honda Pilot and the 2018 Honda CR-V. A mid-size SUV, the Pilot “delivers a pleasant ride, plenty of horsepower, and generous passenger and cargo space,” according to U.S. News & World Report. And the CR-V is a compact SUV ranked #1 in its class. But there are important differences between these two Honda vehicles that will appeal to different types of drivers. Which one is right for you?

  • Pilot – Powerful and spacious inside with more towing capacity
  • CR-V – Compact in size with better fuel economy

MSRP

The first notable difference between the Pilot and CR-V is the price. As a larger SUV, the Pilot LX 2WD 6-Speed Automatic is priced at $31,450.* On the other hand, the 2018 CR-V LX 2WD CVT is $24,250* MSRP. Drivers interested in AWD should consider the top trim levels of both vehicles’ model lineups. The 2019 Pilot Elite AWD 9-Speed Automatic is priced at $48,020* while the 2018 CR-V Touring AWD CVT is $34,150.*

2018 Honda Pilot Driving
2018 Honda CR-V Driving Through Neighborhood

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy will depend slightly on whether 2WD or AWD is right for you. Both the Pilot and CR-V achieve class-leading fuel economy, but the compact CR-V will drive more efficiently.

Pilot

  • 2WD: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg**
  • AWD: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg**

CR-V

  • 2WD: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg**
  • AWD: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg**
2018 Honda Pilot Parked at Lake
2018 Honda CR-V Driving on Highway Through Underground Tunnel

Engine and Power

The Pilot is powered by a 3.5 L V6 engine that delivers 280 horsepower across each of its trim levels. For more powertrain options, the CR-V has a standard 2.4 L engine under the hood that will produce up to 184 horsepower. There’s also an available 1.5 L turbocharged engine that will deliver 190 horsepower.

2018 Honda Pilot Engine
2018 Honda CR-V Turbocharged Engine

Towing Capacity

Drivers who need greater towing capacity should consider the Pilot which tows a maximum of 5,000 lbs. Attempting to tow a load that exceeds your vehicle’s limits is dangerous and harmful to the mechanics of your car, but for drivers who don’t need to tow large loads, the CR-V offers a maximum of 1500 lbs, enough for small trailers and watersports equipment such as a jet ski.

  • Pilot – 5,000 lbs
  • CR-V – 1,500 lbs
2018 Honda Pilot parked at trail with bikes on roof rack
2018 Honda CR-V parked at a camp site with a family playing frisbie in the field

Dimensions

Behind the third row, the Pilot has a cargo area that measures 16 cubic feet. Behind the seats of the CR-V is a larger cargo area that measures 37.6 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded down flat, the Pilot offers a maximum cargo volume of 82.1 cubic feet while the CR-V offers 75.8 cubic feet.

In the Pilot, the interior has 153.1 cubic feet of passenger space that can accommodate up to 8 passengers. And the CR-V accommodates 5 passengers with 101.6 cubic feet of passenger space.

2018 Honda Pilot Interior Seating
2018 Honda CR-V Interior Seating

Test Drive Today

Learn more about the 2018 Honda Pilot and CR-V by contacting us or by visiting your nearest Capital Region Honda dealer. Explore our current offers and sit behind the wheel of the model that’s right for you with a test drive today!

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $995.00 destination charge and options. Dealers set own prices.
**Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.