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Honda Pilot vs Nissan Pathfinder: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Nissan Pathfinder is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,800 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Pathfinder, 23 MPG combined), against $2,910 for the Honda Pilot (Pilot, 22 MPG combined). That is $110 a year, or $550 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. 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.

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

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Nissan Pathfinder

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Pathfinder

23 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
City
27 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,800

$18.67 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 Pilot$2,910 a year · $19.40 per 100 mi
  • Nissan Pathfinder$2,800 a year · $18.67 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$110

Nissan Pathfinder costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$550

$110 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda Pilot Nissan Pathfinder
Lowest-cost configuration PilotPathfinder
Powertrain GasGas
Combined rating 22 MPG23 MPG (better)
City rating 19 MPG21 MPG (better)
Highway rating 27 MPG27 MPG
Annual fuel cost $2,910/yr$2,800/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $19.40$18.67 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $2,910–$3,280$2,800–$3,820
Configurations in MY2026 44
EPA class Standard SUVsStandard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder
Powertrain Honda Pilot Nissan Pathfinder
Gas 22 MPG · $2,910/yr Pilot 23 MPG · $2,800/yr Pathfinder

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 Pilot

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Nissan Pathfinder

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $2,800 vs $2,910
  • Higher combined rating: 23 MPG vs 22 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 21 MPG vs 19 MPG

Level on: highway rating (27 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder
Model year Honda Pilot Nissan Pathfinder
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,280 21–23 MPG $2,800–$3,820
2025 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,280 21–23 MPG $2,790–$3,780
2024 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,270 21–23 MPG $2,790–$3,780
2023 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,270 21–23 MPG $2,790–$3,780
2022 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,070 22–23 MPG $2,830–$2,960
2020 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090 21–23 MPG $2,890–$3,050
2019 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090 21–23 MPG $2,900–$3,110
2018 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090 21–23 MPG $2,900–$3,110
2017 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090 21–23 MPG $2,900–$3,050
2016 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,110 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,110
2015 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110
2014 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,070
2013 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,050
2012 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290 15–17 MPG $4,620–$5,520
2011 18–19 MPG $3,460–$3,570 15–17 MPG $4,620–$5,520
2010 18–19 MPG $3,440–$3,630 14–18 MPG $4,460–$5,740
2009 18–19 MPG $3,440–$3,630 14–18 MPG $4,460–$5,740
2008 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840 14–17 MPG $4,730–$5,740
2007 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840 16–17 MPG $4,730–$5,020
2006 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840 16–17 MPG $3,840–$4,080
2005 17 MPG $3,840 16–17 MPG $3,840–$4,080
2004 17 MPG $3,840 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670
2003 17 MPG $3,840 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360

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 Pilot or the Nissan Pathfinder?

The Nissan Pathfinder is cheaper: about $2,800 a year against $2,910 for the Honda Pilot, a difference of $110 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 Nissan Pathfinder save over five years?

About $550 ($110 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 Pilot or the Nissan Pathfinder?

The Nissan Pathfinder is rated 23 MPG combined against 22 MPG for the Honda Pilot. City: 19 MPG vs 21 MPG. Highway: 27 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 Pilot and the Nissan Pathfinder in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.

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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