2026 Mazda CX-90 vs Honda Pilot

From Costco runs on 500 West to weekend ski shuttles up Big Cottonwood, Davis County families ask for the same two things in a three-row SUV: confidence in the canyons and calm on I-15. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 and Honda Pilot both deliver, but they go about it differently—one with a rear-biased, premium driving feel (and an available plug-in hybrid), the other with tried-and-true V6 muscle and big-cabin practicality.

At-a-Glance Comparison

CX-90: 7–8 seats, standard i-Activ AWD®, available turbo inline-6 and CX-90 PHEV (charge at home, drive electric on short hops), upscale interior options, rear-biased handling character.

Pilot: 7–8 seats, V6 with 10-speed automatic, FWD or AWD, rugged TrailSport flavor, generous cargo spaces and family-friendly storage.

CX-90 exclusives in this matchup: RWD-based architecture and inline-6 turbo, plug-in hybrid powertrain, and Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control (subtle brake-based tech that settles the body in corners). If you want a premium driving feel without going luxury-brand price crazy, that’s the CX-90’s calling card.

Pricing & Value

Pilot typically opens a touch lower in base trims, while the CX-90 counters with richer materials and more standard AWD content. Factor in typical offers, and many shoppers find the best value sits mid-trim for both—think CX-90 with comfort and safety packages versus Pilot EX-L/TrailSport levels. Your monthly payment math will come down to equipment, not just the window sticker.

Powertrains & Performance

Mazda builds the CX-90 on a longitudinal platform with a rear-biased AWD layout and two personalities: a turbocharged inline-6 for effortless highway passing and a PHEV that can handle short Bountiful–Salt Lake commutes on electricity before the gas engine wakes up for weekend miles. Honda keeps it simple with a smooth, naturally aspirated V6 tuned for steady, predictable power around town and on grades. For drivers who enjoy a more connected feel on the twist to Mueller Park, the CX-90’s chassis balance stands out; for those who prize quiet predictability, the Pilot is a known quantity.

AWD & Winter Confidence (Utah Driving)

Both SUVs bring selectable drive modes and hill-friendly gearing; both offer snow-friendly rubber and heated features. In practice, i-Activ AWD® constantly monitors road and driver inputs to pre-load torque where you’ll need it, which helps the CX-90 feel planted when a clear morning turns into flurries over Parleys. Pilot’s available AWD is stout and the TrailSport’s tuning adds confidence on rutted, snowy trailheads. If your routine includes early-morning canyon commutes, Mazda’s rear-biased system and smooth torque delivery make winter driving feel natural and drama-free.

Ride & Handling

Mazda tunes the CX-90 for calm body control and precise steering, then layers in Kinematic Posture Control to subtly reduce roll in a corner or freeway on-ramp. The result is a three-row that still feels composed on sweepers toward Farmington Canyon. Pilot rides comfortably—especially on smaller wheels—and isolates bumps well; its steering is lighter and its demeanor more relaxed. If you enjoy a little feel from the road, pick the CX-90; if you want “set it and forget it” serenity, Pilot obliges.

Seating, Space & Family Features

Both offer 7- or 8-passenger layouts with available second-row captain’s chairs. Pilot’s third row is notably accommodating, and its cabin cubbies earn parent applause. The CX-90 answers with elegant materials, available second-row center console, and thoughtful touches (easy-to-reach LATCH anchors; wide-opening doors) that make school-line buckles quicker. Families swapping car seats between rows will appreciate the CX-90’s low step-in height and smart anchor placement; families hauling taller teens day-to-day may lean Pilot for pure third-row room.

Cargo & Utility

Pilot remains a champ for open cargo volume and under-floor storage, handy for Costco hauls and sideline chairs. CX-90 offers competitive space plus a tidy load floor and confident up-to-class towing for small campers or sleds (check your exact configuration). Both accept roof accessories for ski boxes; both handle stroller-plus-groceries life without a Tetris degree. If you live by cubic-feet spreadsheets, Pilot likely wins; if you value a tidy, premium cargo area that still gets it done, the CX-90 fits.

Infotainment & Connectivity

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on the menu for both. The CX-90 can be equipped with a large, widescreen display and premium audio for concert-hall clarity on the I-215 loop, plus an available head-up display to keep eyes up in busy traffic. Pilot counters with straightforward menus and family-friendly device charging everywhere. Your choice: elegant, driver-focused UX (Mazda) or familiar, press-and-go simplicity (Honda).

Safety & Driver Assistance

Mazda i-Activsense and Honda Sensing® bring the expected roster: adaptive cruise, lane-keep, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic, and more. Both aim for top crash-test results and add parking assists and 360°-style views on upper trims. For Davis County errands and winter nights alike, the peace-of-mind stories read similarly—spec your camera and sensor packages and you’re set.

Fuel Economy & Ownership

The CX-90 PHEV is the difference-maker if your weekdays are short hops (Bountiful ↔ downtown SLC) with a driveway charger—stack electric miles Monday–Friday, save gas for the weekend. The inline-6 CX-90 emphasizes smooth, low-rpm torque for respectable highway efficiency; Pilot’s V6 returns familiar, competitive MPG with minimal learning curve. Factor in your commute pattern and at-home charging to see which wins your monthly cost.

Which SUV Is Right for You?

Choose Mazda CX-90 if you want a premium drive, available plug-in hybrid, and cabin craftsmanship that feels a class up—perfect for scenic detours along the benches and confident winter trips. Choose Honda Pilot if your priorities are maximum third-row comfort, simple V6 ownership, and family-first storage solutions. The good news: neither is a wrong answer; they’re just tuned for different Utah lifestyles.

Test-Drive the CX-90 at Bountiful Mazda

Still deciding? Bring the family to our Mazda dealership and compare both on your own Wasatch loop—city streets, a freeway merge, and a quick grade. We’ll walk trims, talk charging, and set up car-seat tests in the second and third rows so you can see what fits your routine in Bountiful. Schedule your test drive today and feel why so many Utah drivers are stepping into Mazda’s rear-biased, driver-focused CX-90.