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Honda CR-V vs Honda Pilot: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Honda CR-V is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,620 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (CR-V, 40 MPG combined), against $2,910 for the Honda Pilot (Pilot, 22 MPG combined). That is $1,290 a year, or $6,450 over five years.

Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Honda CR-V

Lowest fuel cost configuration

CR-V

40 MPG
Combined
43 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,620

$10.80 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Honda Pilot

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Pilot

22 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
City
27 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,910

$19.40 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda CR-V$1,620 a year · $10.80 per 100 mi
  • Honda Pilot$2,910 a year · $19.40 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$1,290

Honda CR-V costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$6,450

$1,290 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda CR-V Honda Pilot
Lowest-cost configuration CR-VPilot
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 40 MPG (better)22 MPG
City rating 43 MPG (better)19 MPG
Highway rating 36 MPG (better)27 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,620/yr (better)$2,910/yr
Cost per 100 miles $10.80 (better)$19.40
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,620–$2,250$2,910–$3,280
Configurations in MY2026 64
EPA class Small SUVsStandard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot
Powertrain Honda CR-V Honda Pilot
Gas 30 MPG · $2,150/yr CR-V 22 MPG · $2,910/yr Pilot
Hybrid 40 MPG · $1,620/yr CR-V Not offered in MY2026
Hydrogen 39 MPGe · no cost estimate CR-V e-FCEV Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda CR-V

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,620 vs $2,910
  • Higher combined rating: 40 MPG vs 22 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 43 MPG vs 19 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 36 MPG vs 27 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,150 vs $2,910
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Honda Pilot does not
  • Offers hydrogen configurations in MY2026; the Honda Pilot does not

Honda Pilot

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot
Model year Honda CR-V Honda Pilot
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,250 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,280
2025 28–40 MPG $1,620–$2,310 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,280
2024 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,270
2023 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,270
2022 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,070
2021 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 22–23 MPG $2,880–$2,950
2020 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2019 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2018 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2017 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2016 27–29 MPG $2,280–$2,410 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,110
2015 28–29 MPG $2,250–$2,320 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2014 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2013 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2012 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2011 23–24 MPG $2,770–$2,840 18–19 MPG $3,460–$3,570
2010 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840 18–19 MPG $3,440–$3,630
2009 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 18–19 MPG $3,440–$3,630
2008 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840
2007 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840
2006 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840
2005 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 17 MPG $3,840
2004 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110 17 MPG $3,840
2003 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110 17 MPG $3,840

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda CR-V or the Honda Pilot?

The Honda CR-V is cheaper: about $1,620 a year against $2,910 for the Honda Pilot, a difference of $1,290 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Honda CR-V save over five years?

About $6,450 ($1,290 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda CR-V or the Honda Pilot?

The Honda CR-V is rated 40 MPG combined against 22 MPG for the Honda Pilot. City: 43 MPG vs 19 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 27 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda CR-V and the Honda Pilot in the same class?

The EPA classes the Honda CR-V as Small SUVs and the Honda Pilot as Standard SUVs, so they are listed as models from the same maker or group.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles