Honda Passport vs. Pilot in Hazelwood, MO: Which to Buy

For most Hazelwood drivers, the choice comes down to one question: do you need a third row? If you regularly carry six or more people, the Honda Pilot is the answer. If you don't, the Honda Passport gives you standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, more maximum cargo space, and a shorter, more maneuverable footprint for daily driving around the St. Louis area.

Both SUVs share Honda's 3.5-liter V6 making 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, a 10-speed automatic, and a 5,000-lb maximum tow rating. The real differences — seating, drivetrain standardization, length, and price — are what should drive your decision.

What's the quick answer for Hazelwood buyers in 2026?

Choose the Honda Pilot if you need seven or eight seats or a lower entry price. Choose the 2026 Honda Passport if you want standard AWD across every trim, more maximum cargo volume (up to 104.6 cu. ft.), and a shorter 191.5-inch length that parks and merges more easily around north St. Louis County.

Both are stocked and serviced locally at Bommarito Honda Superstore Hazelwood on Brookes Drive, which carries the full current Honda lineup including the Passport and Pilot.

How do the Passport and Pilot compare on specs?

Mechanically, these two SUVs are closer than their price tags suggest. The split happens in packaging — the Pilot is longer and seats more; the Passport is tighter, taller-riding, and AWD-only.

Your Missouri out-the-door price will add state and local tax, title, and documentation.

Which SUV fits more Hazelwood families?

The Pilot wins on people-moving, full stop. Its three-row layout seats up to eight passengers depending on trim and whether you spec captain's chairs or a second-row bench. The Passport is five-seat only. If your household runs youth sports carpools out to McNair Park or hauls visiting relatives in from Lambert, the Pilot's third row is the deciding factor.

The Passport, by contrast, is built for families that don't need those extra seats but want more flexible gear space. With the second row down, it opens up to meaningfully more cargo space than the Pilot offers behind the first row.

Which handles Missouri weather and off-pavement use better?

The Passport is the more off-road-oriented of the two by design. Every 2026 Passport trim ships with Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive standard. The Pilot starts as front-wheel drive on base trims, with AWD available or standard depending on trim — something to verify by trim when you're building a quote.

Winter in north St. Louis County isn't Minnesota, but ice events do shut down stretches of I-270 and Howdershell Road a few days most seasons. For AWD-first shoppers who don't want to trim-shop for traction, the Passport's lineup is simpler.

The Passport TrailSport adds all-terrain tires, off-road-tuned suspension, Trail Torque Logic, and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. The Pilot TrailSport offers comparable equipment and 7.3–8.3 inches of clearance depending on trim, but the Passport's entire range leans this direction.

What about fuel economy and towing?

Fuel economy is close, with a slight edge to the Pilot in its most efficient configuration. The front-wheel-drive Pilot Sport is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway). AWD Pilot trims drop to 21 mpg combined (19 / 25), essentially matching the Passport RTL at 21 mpg combined (19 / 25). The TrailSport versions of both land at 20 mpg combined (18 / 23).

On towing, the Passport's standard AWD gives it a consistent 5,000-lb maximum rating. The Pilot ranges from 3,500 to 5,000 lb depending on trim and drivetrain. If you tow a boat down to the Lake of the Ozarks or pull a utility trailer across the river, confirm the specific trim's rating before you buy.

What should Hazelwood buyers look for in a dealer?

Honda SUV demand remains strong, so stock availability and transparent pricing matter more than ever when you're shopping.

Bommarito Honda Superstore Hazelwood sits on 9 acres at 330 Brookes Dr and regularly stocks over 300 new Hondas and over 100 pre-owned vehicles, which gives Hazelwood shoppers room to compare Passport and Pilot trims side by side without driving across the metro.

I’m a repeat customer of the Bommarito franchise. I bought my first Honda at Bommarito Honda in Hazelwood. I returned to the dealer 13 years later to buy another vehicle because I felt really comfortable purchasing my car from them. Although they did not have the vehicle I was looking for on their lot, I found just what I wanted at their West County location. .My salesperson, Rachel was so helpful and persistent with meeting my needs, that she met me at the West County location in Ellisville. I was super impressed with her dedication and willingness to drive over 30 minutes to assist me with my purchase! I would recommend Rachel Brown any day of the week and the Bommarito network for their commitment to serving customers!

Frequently asked questions

Is the Honda Passport or Pilot cheaper in Hazelwood, MO?

The 2026 Honda Pilot Sport has a lower starting MSRP of $42,395 versus the Passport RTL at $44,950, a difference of $2,555 before destination, tax, title, and registration. The trims aren't equivalent, though — the Passport includes AWD standard while the base Pilot Sport is front-wheel drive. Request itemized out-the-door quotes from a Hazelwood dealer to compare equally equipped vehicles.

Does the 2026 Honda Pilot come with all-wheel drive?

Not standard across the board. The 2026 Honda Pilot starts as front-wheel drive on base trims, with AWD available or standard depending on trim. The 2026 Honda Passport, by contrast, includes Honda's i-VTM4 AWD standard on all six of its trims. If AWD matters to you and you're shopping Pilot, verify the drivetrain on your specific trim.

How much can the Honda Passport tow?

The 2026 Honda Passport is rated to tow up to 5,000 lb as equipped, with that maximum available across the lineup thanks to standard AWD. The 2026 Honda Pilot tows between 3,500 and 5,000 lb depending on trim and drivetrain. For boat, trailer, or camper use, confirm the exact rating for the trim and towing package you're configuring.

Which has more cargo space, the Passport or Pilot?

The 2026 Honda Passport has more maximum cargo volume at 104.6 cu. ft. behind the first row versus the Pilot's 87 cu. ft. The Pilot offers more flexibility with its third row — 18.6 cu. ft. behind row three and 48.5 cu. ft. behind row two. If pure gear-hauling matters more than extra seats, the Passport wins; if you need both occasionally, the Pilot is more versatile.

What's the fuel economy difference between the two?

The 2026 Honda Pilot FWD Sport leads at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway). AWD Pilot trims drop to 21 mpg combined, which matches the Passport RTL at 21 mpg combined. TrailSport versions of both SUVs are rated 20 mpg combined. In equivalent AWD configurations, the two are effectively a wash on fuel.

Where can I test drive both in Hazelwood?

Bommarito Honda Superstore Hazelwood at 330 Brookes Dr carries the full current Honda lineup, including the Passport and Pilot, and typically stocks over 300 new Hondas on its 9-acre lot. Sales and Parts are open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Scheduling a back-to-back test drive is the fastest way to feel the size and seating differences in person.

The bottom line for Hazelwood shoppers

If you need a third row, buy the Pilot. If you don't, the Passport is the better all-around pick for most Hazelwood drivers — standard AWD, more cargo flexibility, a shorter wheelbase for suburban parking, and consistent 5,000-lb towing. The $2,555 starting-MSRP gap narrows quickly once you match the Pilot to an AWD trim.

Readers in Hazelwood, MO who want to compare both SUVs on the same lot can reach Bommarito Honda Superstore Hazelwood at 314-731-9777 or https://www.bommaritohonda.com to schedule a side-by-side test drive.