2025 Honda Pilot vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that prioritized storage capacity while maintaining an upscale appearance. This new aesthetic, while different from the sleek Ioniq models, still managed to turn heads with its sophisticated color palette and anodized-finish badging. The interior of the Santa Fe was equally impressive, offering premium styling with a mix of soft and hard materials that created a luxurious feel. The XRT and Calligraphy trims stood out with their elegant touches, including quilted Nappa leather and a soothing fabric headliner.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition featured a rugged yet suburban-friendly design. Its blacked-out exterior and red-accented interior gave it a distinctive look, though some paint colors diminished the contrast. The Pilot's interior was thoughtfully designed for family use, with comfortable seating and practical storage solutions. However, the digital displays appeared dated, and the technology, while functional, lacked a "wow factor." Despite these shortcomings, the Pilot maintained an attractive and practical design, suitable for both urban and off-road adventures.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional, except for the XRT trim, which included AWD. The Santa Fe provided various driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Snow, with the XRT adding off-road capabilities. Fuel economy varied, with the base FWD achieving 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the hybrid version offered up to 36 mpg combined. The Santa Fe excelled in towing capacity, especially the XRT, which could tow up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Econ, and Sport, with AWD models providing up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance. The Pilot's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds, but its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 20 mpg. The Pilot's handling was predictable, though the transmission occasionally lagged in responsiveness. While the Pilot could handle off-road terrain, its performance was more suited to suburban environments.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a longer wheelbase and body, enhancing cargo space for car camping and tailgating. Despite its focus on cargo, the Santa Fe provided spacious first and second rows, with options for captain’s chairs or a bench. The interior featured stain-resistant cloth or leather upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats in higher trims. The cargo area offered up to 79.6 cubic feet of space, with innovative features like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of seating and thoughtful storage solutions. The front row offered comfortable seats, though the passenger seat lacked adjustability. The second row was roomy, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The Pilot provided 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with seats folded. Features like a hands-free power tailgate and triple-zone climate control added to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims added wireless charging and Hyundai Pay for secure transactions. The Santa Fe also introduced a biometric fingerprint scanner for added security.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. The Black Edition included a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the audio system was adequate but not exceptional. Features like CabinTalk and a head-up display were useful but didn't elevate the Pilot's tech offerings.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and remote automatic parking. The Santa Fe also introduced driver monitoring technology for enhanced safety.

The 2025 Honda Pilot included standard Honda Sensing safety features, such as forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Black Edition added parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems occasionally underperformed. Despite these issues, the Pilot earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.