2027 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Honda Pilot: Which 3-Row SUV Fits Your NYC Family?
Published October 5, 2026 · Last updated October 5, 2026
The Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Pilot matchup puts two of the most popular three-row family SUVs in New York City head to head, and they are almost exactly the same size. The all-new 2027 Hyundai Palisade starts lower, adds a first-ever hybrid rated up to 34 mpg combined and comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim. The 2026 Honda Pilot answers with a proven 285-hp V6, eight seats on most trims and a removable second-row middle seat. The short answer: Palisade for value, efficiency and tech; Pilot for seating flexibility.
Palisade or Pilot: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2027 Hyundai Palisade if you want a lower $39,735 starting price, a hybrid rated up to 34 mpg combined, a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
- Choose the 2026 Honda Pilot if you want eight seats with a removable second-row middle seat, a naturally aspirated 285-hp V6 and the off-road-ready TrailSport.
- Bottom line for NYC: commuters who sit in traffic save the most with the Palisade Hybrid; families who juggle car seats and carpools may prefer the Pilot's flexible second row.
Model-year timing: The 2027 Hyundai Palisade is the all-new second generation, with a first-ever hybrid and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for vehicles built after November 2025. The 2026 Honda Pilot is the current model, refreshed for 2026 with a new grille, larger screens and a quieter cabin. Read more about the 2027 Hyundai Palisade for NYC families.
Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Pilot Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 2027 Hyundai Palisade | 2026 Honda Pilot | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $39,735 (SE); $44,560 (Hybrid Blue SEL) | $42,195 (Sport FWD). Destination $1,495 | Palisade |
| Powertrains | 3.5L V6, 287 hp, 8-speed; 2.5L turbo hybrid, 329 hp | 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft; 10-speed | Palisade |
| EPA mpg (combined) | V6: 21 FWD / 20 AWD; Hybrid Blue FWD: 34 | 21 (20 TrailSport) | Palisade (hybrid) |
| All-wheel drive | +$2,000 on most trims; standard on XRT Pro | +$2,100 on Sport and EX-L; standard on Touring, TrailSport, Elite, Black Edition | Tie |
| Max towing | Up to 5,000 lb (V6) | Up to 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo (behind 3rd row / max) | 19.1 / 86.7 cu ft | Up to 22.4 / 113.7 cu ft | Pilot |
| Seating | 7 or 8 by trim; 43.0-in 2nd-row legroom | 8 (7 on TrailSport); removable 2nd-row middle seat | Pilot (flexibility) |
| Screens | 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim | 12.3-inch touchscreen; 10.2-inch driver display | Tie |
| Off-road trim | XRT Pro, AWD standard | TrailSport, 8.3-in ground clearance | Tie |
| Length | 199.2 in | 199.9 in | — |
| Warranty | 5 yr/60,000 mi basic; 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | Palisade |
Price and Value
The 2027 Hyundai Palisade starts lower. The Palisade SE begins at $39,735, $2,460 below the 2026 Honda Pilot Sport at $42,195. At the top of the range, prices meet: the Palisade Calligraphy costs $54,860 and the Pilot Black Edition $54,995, with the Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink topping the lineup at $57,680.
2027 Hyundai Palisade trims
V6: SE $39,735, SEL $42,240, SEL Premium $45,600, Limited $50,070, XRT Pro $50,170 (AWD) and Calligraphy $54,860. Hybrid: Hybrid Blue SEL $44,560, Hybrid SEL $46,560 (AWD), Hybrid Blue SEL Premium $47,920, Hybrid SEL Premium $49,920 (AWD), Hybrid Limited $52,390, Hybrid Calligraphy $57,180 and Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink $57,680. AWD adds $2,000 where optional. Browse the Plaza Hyundai new Palisade inventory.
2026 Honda Pilot trims
Sport $42,195 ($44,295 AWD), EX-L $44,495 ($46,595 AWD), TrailSport $50,395, Touring $51,095, Elite $53,495 and Black Edition $54,995, plus a $1,495 destination charge. Browse the Plaza Honda new Pilot inventory.
Lease specials are updated every month, so check the current Hyundai lease specials (updated monthly) and Hyundai manufacturer incentives and rebates, plus the current Honda lease specials (updated monthly) and Honda manufacturer incentives and rebates. Trading in? Get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your current car before you visit.
Performance, Towing and Fuel Economy
With V6 engines, the two are evenly matched. The Palisade's 3.5-liter V6 makes 287 hp with an 8-speed automatic and is rated 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. The Pilot's 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 hp and 262 lb-ft with a 10-speed automatic and is rated about 21 mpg combined. Both tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The difference is the hybrid. The 2027 Palisade Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors for 329 hp, and the front-wheel-drive Hybrid Blue trims are rated 34 mpg combined. In stop-and-go traffic on the BQE or Cross Bronx, that is a big saving over any V6. Honda does not offer a Pilot hybrid.
Space and Seating
The two are almost the same size: the Palisade is 199.2 inches long and the Pilot 199.9 inches. The Palisade seats seven or eight depending on trim and offers 43.0 inches of second-row legroom, 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 86.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Pilot seats eight on most trims (seven on the TrailSport), and its second-row middle seat can be removed and stored under the cargo floor, turning the bench into captain's chairs with a walkway to the third row. The Pilot also holds more: Honda lists up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 113.7 cubic feet of total cargo space, versus 19.1 and 86.7 cubic feet in the Palisade.
Need even more third-row room? See our Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Odyssey comparison.
Interior, Tech and Comfort
Both cabins are big steps up for their model years. Every 2027 Palisade gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen set in a wide, curved display panel, along with 10 airbags and third-row seatbelt pretensioners. For 2026, the Honda Pilot adds a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch driver display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in apps and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, plus a quieter cabin.
Both brighten the cabin with a big glass roof. The Palisade gets a sunroof from the SEL Premium trim, with a dual-pane sunroof on the Limited, while the Pilot gets a panoramic moonroof on the Touring trim and above.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
Hyundai offers the longer warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain for the original owner, versus 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles for Honda. The Pilot has a long record of strong resale value, while the Palisade Hybrid's fuel savings add up over years of city driving.
Which One Should You Buy?
Fuel-conscious family
The Palisade Hybrid Blue is rated 34 mpg combined, a standout for stop-and-go NYC driving.
Budget and warranty
A lower $39,735 starting price and a 10-year powertrain warranty add up to strong value.
Big family, flexible seating
Eight seats with a removable second-row middle seat adapt to car seats, teens and cargo.
Trail weekends
The TrailSport adds 8.3 inches of ground clearance for dirt roads and campsites upstate.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Palisade | $39,735 vs $42,195 |
| Fuel economy | Palisade | Hybrid up to 34 vs 21 mpg combined |
| Towing | Tie | Up to 5,000 lb for both |
| Cargo space | Pilot | Up to 113.7 vs 86.7 cu ft max |
| Seating flexibility | Pilot | Removable 2nd-row middle seat |
| Warranty | Palisade | 10-yr/100,000-mi powertrain |
| Overall for NYC families | Split | Palisade for value and mpg; Pilot for seating flexibility |
Still deciding? See how the Pilot compares with its Kia rival in Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride, with Toyota's biggest three-row SUV in Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander and with its luxury cousin in Acura MDX vs Honda Pilot. Considering a minivan instead? Read Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Odyssey, or step down a size with Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Auto Mall delivers your new or pre-owned vehicle to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Farther away? Delivery is available on request.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryHyundai Palisade vs Honda Pilot: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hyundai Palisade or Honda Pilot better for a New York City family?
It depends on your priorities. The 2027 Hyundai Palisade starts lower, offers a hybrid rated up to 34 mpg combined, a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim and a 10-year powertrain warranty. The 2026 Honda Pilot offers eight seats on most trims, a removable second-row middle seat and a proven 285-hp V6.
Which is cheaper, the Palisade or the Pilot?
The Hyundai Palisade. The 2027 Palisade SE starts at $39,735 MSRP, while the 2026 Honda Pilot Sport starts at $42,195, plus a $1,495 destination charge. At the top of the range, the Pilot Black Edition costs $54,995, while the Palisade Calligraphy is $54,860 and the Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink is $57,680.
Does the Palisade or Pilot come as a hybrid?
Only the Palisade. The 2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors for 329 horsepower, and the front-wheel-drive Hybrid Blue trims are rated 34 mpg combined. Every 2026 Honda Pilot uses a 285-hp 3.5-liter V6 rated about 21 mpg combined, or 20 for the TrailSport.
Which tows more, the Palisade or the Pilot?
They are even. The 2027 Hyundai Palisade with the 3.5-liter V6 is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and the 2026 Honda Pilot is also rated up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Towing ratings vary by trim and drivetrain, so check the exact configuration before you hitch a camper or boat.
Which has more seating flexibility, the Palisade or the Pilot?
The Honda Pilot has the edge. Most Pilot trims seat eight, and the second-row middle seat can be removed and stored under the cargo floor, turning the bench into captain's chairs. The Palisade seats seven or eight depending on trim and offers 43 inches of second-row legroom for adults and teenagers.
Which has the better warranty, Hyundai or Honda?
Hyundai. The Palisade comes with 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain for the original owner. The Honda Pilot has 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Both brands have strong resale value.
Test-Drive the Palisade and Pilot at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Hyundai (2726 Nostrand Ave) and Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave) are a few doors apart on Nostrand Avenue, so you can drive the 2027 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Honda Pilot back to back and let the whole family try the third rows. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves drivers from Queens, Staten Island and Long Island, with free delivery within 25 miles. See the full Plaza Hyundai inventory and Plaza Honda inventory, or call Plaza Hyundai at (800) 556-2369 or Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785.
*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information available as of October 5, 2026 and are subject to change. Towing varies by configuration. See dealer for details.
