The best 3-row family SUV? We test the 2026 Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid to see which hauler reigns supreme. Run a VIN check or license plate search to uncover maintenance history, open recalls, and title statuses before you buy at http://bumper.com/edmunds Appraisal Tool – https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Car Listings – https://www.edmunds.com/new-cars-for-sale/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Ratings and Reviews – https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube 00:00 Intro 00:25 Nissan Pathfinder Interior, Tech, & Storage 05:09 Nissan Pathfinder Driving Impressions 06:59 Honda Pilot Interior, Tech, & Storage 11:18 Honda Pilot Driving Impressions 12:56 Toyota Grand Highlander Interior, Tech, & Storage 16:58 Toyota Grand Highlander Driving Impressions 18:30 Value 19:54 Edmunds' Take Searching for the best 3-row SUV for your family? We put three of the most popular family haulers to the test: the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. The Nissan Pathfinder offers impressive value and standout towing capabilities. With its best-in-class 6,000-pound max tow rating, it out-muscles most of its midsize rivals. You also get a comfortable ride, intuitive physical HVAC controls, and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen for 2026. While its V6 engine delivers impressive capability, the overall fuel economy falls short of the competition's. The 2026 Honda Pilot brings serious practicality to the table. We love its phenomenal small-item storage, easy-to-use tech, and a smart, removable second-row middle seat. On the road, the Pilot's AWD system makes it surprisingly fun to handle in corners, though it suffers from numb steering and a busy 10-speed automatic transmission in stop-and-go driving. But the Toyota Grand Highlander takes the crown here. Equipped with the potent Hybrid Max powertrain, it delivers the quickest acceleration of the bunch while maintaining the best mpg. It boasts class-leading cargo space and a third row that provides adult-friendly legroom. Combining stellar fuel efficiency, fantastic roominess and refined driving dynamics, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid proves it is the ultimate family SUV. Honda Pilot Edmunds Review – https://www.edmunds.com/honda/pilot/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Edmunds Review – https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/grand-highlander-hybrid/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Nissan Pathfinder Edmunds Review – https://www.edmunds.com/nissan/pathfinder/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube More Edmunds Comparison Videos – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpQwAPiW1fCPh4LEWxlbp9Cx If this kind of video is helpful to you and you want to support us making more work like this in the future, hitting the like, subscribe, and notification bell buttons goes a long way. Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created by Edmunds without the use of generative AI. https://www.instagram.com/edmundscars/ https://www.facebook.com/edmunds https://www.tiktok.com/@edmunds https://twitter.com/edmunds https://www.reddit.com/user/edmundscars/ #HondaPilot #ToyotaGrandHighlanderHybrid #NissanPathfinder #Edmunds
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We just picked up a 26 Pathfinder a couple weeks ago. It's honestly one of the smoothest driving vehicles I've driven. There's a couple nitpicks, but super happy with it.
The Pathfinder has the best IIHS safety scores of these 3 by some margin. That should count for something
The color of the Nissans seats was the best of the 3. We want cozy warm colors not bland greys, blacks and whites.
I choose the Pathfinder. The pilot has VCM which could be problematic, and the Highlander doesn’t offer a V6 option.
Nice review. Test drove the Honda and the Nissan with the family (2 kids). The Pathfinder was the unanimous winner. I loved the V6. Pathfinder will be our next family vehicle.
love my 2025 pathfinder, i looked at the pilot and highlander, and the price sheets pretty squared away that decision. Toyota and honda run like 12-15k more for the same equippment
Highlander if you can get it at a good price. Their hybrid system is the best and it's already known to be reliable. But as we know, Toyota dealerships are snakes so Nissan has a great price with better features that are standard.
Some important items you missed: The Pathfinder is the only midsize SUV with more than 48” between the rear wheel wells so you can carry those sheets plywood, drywall, etc from HD flat on the floor! The Pilot does NOT have a height adjustable front passenger seat; not even a manual adjustment! At $55k that is unacceptable. Also, Honda deleted the SiriusXM satellite radio from the 26 Pilot! Overall, I think the Pathfinder is the best value here as it checks all my boxes, and can be had with substantial discounts, something that cannot be said of the Pilot and G Highlander.
Kind of confused with the rating. You say the Pilot is the best handling out of the bunch, but then also give it the lowest driving experience score?
I researched these vehicles for a couple months before deciding the Pathfinder was the best choice. Pathfinder has a legendary V6 and no VCM or turbo 4 banger issues. Pathfinder is the best value for your money.
The fact that you can thousands off the pathfinder makes it better. VQ35 engine(been around since 2001) and a new ZF 9 speed transmission(no more CVT). The Nissan looks cool especially in rock creek edition.
The fact that the pathfinder tows more and got only a 7.0 is ridiculous😂
Hybrid Max does not get 36mph. It gets 26mpg. The normal hybrid gets 36. Get your facts right
Haha, loving all the Pathy love in the comments, it really is the forgotten underdog of the class. There is no debating the GH has a huge interior, but it's glossed over that you have to spend $60k to get the same equipment as the top Pathfinder and Pilot with that Hybrid Max powertrain. Notice there is not even a panoramic sunroof. And those scratchy, cheap plastics are even more offensive at $60k. I would not call that interior "light and airy." It is mostly black, besides the seats. But the big blunder here is quoting 36 mpg for the GH, when it is actually only 26, like someone else mentioned... which is only 2 more than the Pathfinder.
The nissan pathfinder wins no cvt no turbo 3.5 engine v6 transmission 7 seats very reliable great for families.
Pathfinder my choice
Pathfinder is FANTASTIC and an easy pick over the other two
The brown interior is the best thing about the Pathfinder. I guess there's no accounting for taste.
1:21 whoever came up with the design on that fabric went to high school in the late 90s/early 2000s 😂 love it.
You can get the pathfinder for like $7-10k off MSRP at most dealers so based on value alone that’d easily be the smart choice. That VQ engine and 9ZF are also a great combo. Sounds great and shifts quick. If it were my money though, Id probably go Pilot just based on my past positive experiences with Honda/Acura… Grand highlander does nothing for me. It’s big but interior is cheapo and the turbo 4 sounds like a lawnmower when you step on it.