2026 Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot: Which Three-Row SUV Fits Your Family?

When it’s time to find a three-row SUV for the whole family, the Subaru Ascent and the Honda Pilot are two of the most cross-shopped names in the segment. Both offer seating for up to eight, strong towing capability, and genuinely useful family features. But they take different approaches to all-weather capability, power, and everyday practicality. Here’s a full breakdown from the team at John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting to help you decide which one truly fits your family.

Quick Comparison: 2026 Ascent vs. 2026 Pilot

• Starting MSRP — Ascent: $40,795 | Pilot: $42,395
• Standard Engine — Ascent: 2.4L Turbo Boxer, 260 hp / 277 lb-ft | Pilot: 3.5L V6, 285 hp / 262 lb-ft
• Drivetrain — Ascent: standard Symmetrical AWD on every single trim | Pilot: front-wheel drive standard, AWD optional on Sport/EX-L, standard only from TrailSport up
• Max Towing — Ascent: up to 5,000 lbs (every trim) | Pilot: up to 5,000 lbs with AWD, only 3,500 lbs with FWD
• Ground Clearance — Ascent: 8.7 inches | Pilot: up to 8.3 inches (TrailSport)
• Seating — Ascent: up to 8 passengers | Pilot: up to 8 passengers
• Max Cargo (rear seats folded) — Ascent: up to 75.6 cu ft | Pilot: up to 87–112 cu ft
• Standard Safety Suite — Ascent: EyeSight Driver Assist Technology | Pilot: Honda Sensing

All-Wheel Drive: The Ascent’s Biggest Advantage

This is the single most important difference between these two SUVs. Every 2026 Subaru Ascent comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, no exceptions and no upcharge, across all seven trims. The Honda Pilot, by contrast, starts as a front-wheel-drive SUV on its base Sport and EX-L trims, with AWD offered only as a paid option — and even then, FWD Pilot models are limited to 3,500 lbs of towing versus 5,000 lbs with AWD. For Plymouth Meeting and Montgomery County families who deal with real winter weather, that means every single Ascent on the lot is already built for the conditions, while Pilot shoppers have to make sure they’re looking at the right trim and drivetrain combination to get the same capability.

The Ascent also holds a ground clearance advantage at 8.7 inches, edging out even the Pilot’s off-road-focused TrailSport trim at 8.3 inches. Combined with standard X-MODE and Hill Descent Control, the Ascent is built to handle rougher terrain and worse weather right out of the box, on every trim — not just the priciest one.

Power and Towing

The Pilot’s 3.5L V6 does produce more horsepower on paper (285 hp vs. the Ascent’s 260 hp), and its smooth V6 character is a genuine strength. But the Ascent’s turbocharged boxer engine actually delivers more torque (277 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft), which translates to strong low-end pulling power for merging, passing, and towing. Both SUVs top out at a useful 5,000 lbs of towing capacity — but the Ascent reaches that number as standard equipment on every trim, while the Pilot only hits its full 5,000-lb rating once you’ve added AWD.

Space, Safety, and Family Features

Subaru positions the Ascent as offering more overall passenger space than several competitors in this class, and it comes standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, along with available features like DriverFocus distraction mitigation and Cabin Connect, which lets the driver talk to third-row passengers without turning around. The Pilot counters with a genuinely spacious cabin of its own, a new-for-2026 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a larger maximum cargo capacity when both rear rows are folded flat — a real advantage for families who occasionally need to haul more gear than passengers.

To Be Fair: Where the Pilot Holds Its Own

The Pilot isn’t without real strengths. Its 285-hp V6 is smooth and refined, its maximum cargo volume beats the Ascent’s by a wide margin, and its new 12.3-inch touchscreen is a meaningful upgrade for 2026. The TrailSport trim also offers genuine off-road-oriented hardware and second-row captain’s chairs for families who want a slightly different flavor of capability. If maximum cargo space and horsepower on paper matter most to you, the Pilot is a strong, well-rounded choice.

The Verdict

Both of these three-row SUVs are excellent choices for growing families. But for buyers who want standard all-wheel drive on every trim without paying extra, a higher ground clearance, and full towing capability regardless of which trim you choose, the 2026 Subaru Ascent comes out ahead. The Pilot remains a strong pick for families who prioritize maximum cargo room and V6 smoothness, but if all-weather confidence and standard capability across the entire lineup matter most, the Ascent is the stronger overall package.

See the 2026 Subaru Ascent for Yourself

Visit John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting to test drive the Ascent and see how it compares to the Pilot in person.

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Proudly Serving Plymouth Meeting and the Surrounding Communities

John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting is a convenient stop for Ascent shoppers throughout Montgomery County and the greater Philadelphia area. We’re proud to serve drivers from:

• Plymouth Meeting, PA
• Norristown, PA
• East Norriton, PA
• West Norriton, PA
• Conshohocken, PA
• King of Prussia, PA
• Valley Forge, PA
• Blue Bell, PA
• Whitemarsh, PA
• Ardmore, PA
• Philadelphia, PA

No matter which of these communities you call home, our Plymouth Meeting showroom is just a short drive away. Browse our full new Subaru inventory or visit our homepage to learn more about financing, trade-ins, and current offers.

Pricing, specifications, and third-party data referenced above are current as of publication and sourced from Subaru.com, Honda.com, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, TrueCar, and Autoblog. Specs and pricing are subject to change by each manufacturer and may not include destination fees, taxes, title, or dealer charges. See John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting for current pricing, incentives, and availability.

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