Honda Passport or Pilot: which fits Panama City drivers?

The Passport fits the Panama City driver with up to five people, a trailer or a sandy boat ramp. The Pilot fits the household that needs a third row, because a family of six has no other seat to put the sixth person in.

Both SUVs carry the same 285 hp, so seats and weekend use decide it. Group 1 Honda Panama City, the only Honda franchise in Panama City, sells both.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Panama City. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

A Panama City, FL family of 6 or more needs the Pilot’s third row

Count the people first. The Passport seats 5. The Pilot seats 7 to 8, depending on trim, so a family of 6, 7, or 8 in Panama City, FL has one answer.

Many buyers fix their eyes on the third row and forget the second. Second-row legroom is 40.9 in in the Passport and 40.8 in in the Pilot, according to Honda’s published 2026 specifications. That is a tenth of an inch apart, so the middle seats will not decide anything. The third row is where the two SUVs part ways.

The Pilot has a third row, and Honda lists 32.5 in of legroom there on the EX-L, Elite and Black Edition trims. That suits kids and teens on a school run or a ball-game carpool. Fold it down and Honda lists 48.5 cu ft of cargo behind the second row on those same trims. That is real room for strollers, coolers, and beach chairs with a full row of passengers still seated in front of it.

If your household is 4 or 5 and the extra seats would sit folded all year, the Pilot’s size is room you pay for and never use. Honda lists the Passport RTL at 104.6 cu ft of maximum cargo with five seats. For a couple or a family of 4 in Panama City, FL, that is plenty.

Weekend towing and sandy shoulders in Bay County favor the Passport

If you pull a boat or camper or drive onto sandy shoulders and ramp approaches in Bay County, the Passport is the SUV built for that work. Honda rates every Passport trim to tow 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, while the Pilot’s rating changes by trim.

The Pilot Sport and EX-L in 2WD are rated at 3,500 lbs, and the Pilot’s AWD trims are rated at 5,000 lbs. So with the Passport you never have to ask which version. With the Pilot you do, and the trim matters before you count on a number.

Ground clearance points the same way. Honda lists the Passport RTL at 8.3 in and the Pilot Black Edition (AWD) at 7.3 in. A sandy shoulder, a boat-ramp approach or a rutted lot is where that gap shows up.

The table lists the figures that matter most, from Honda’s published 2026 specifications and EPA ratings.

The cargo row favors the Pilot. If you haul bulky loads and also need seats, that is one more reason the Pilot fits a bigger household.

Which drive system does each Honda SUV come with, trim by trim?

Drive system is set by trim, and the trim list tells you which Passport and Pilot trims come with front-wheel drive and which with all-wheel drive. Check it before you shop, since the drive system affects towing and sandy-lot grip in Bay County.

On the Passport, the EPA record lists all-wheel drive only, as the AWD and the AWD Trailsport. All seven Passport trims are rated to tow 5,000 lbs. The Pilot splits. The Sport and the EX-L come in 2WD or AWD, and both 2WD versions tow 3,500 lbs. The Touring, TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition are listed as AWD, and every AWD Pilot trim tows 5,000 lbs.

If you tow, pick an AWD Pilot or any Passport. If you tow and want the third row, the AWD Pilot trims are the ones to ask us about.

Which Honda SUV is easier to park at Panama City beach lots and downtown?

The Passport has the shorter footprint, which helps in tight beach-access lots and downtown spots. Honda lists the Passport RTL at 191.5 in long and the Pilot Black Edition (AWD) at 200.1 in.

Width runs the other way by a small margin: 79.4 in for the Passport RTL and 78.5 in for the Pilot Black Edition (AWD). Wheelbase is 113.6 in and 113.8 in. So the Passport saves you length in a nose-in space, and the two sit close on everything else.

Numbers only go so far in a parking lot. Park both at 3601 E 15th St, and judge the corners from the driver’s seat.

Which fits a Panama City driver: carpool weekdays or outdoor weekends?

A weekday carpool of 6 or more points to the Pilot’s third row. A household of 5 or fewer that spends weekends towing and driving to launches points to the Passport.

The daily drive on US 98 feels alike in either. Honda lists 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque on both. Fuel economy sits close too: the EPA rates the AWD Passport at 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined, and the AWD Pilot at the same 19, 25 and 21. The front-wheel-drive Pilot is rated at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined. Neither SUV wins the commute, so choose by who rides along and what you pull.

Which rear-seat comfort features help passengers in Panama City summers?

Rear passengers in a Panama City summer care about air flow and seat comfort, and the trim you choose decides what is back there. Sit in the rear seats of the exact trim before you pick.

Every Passport trim seats 5, so the back row is the second row. The Pilot seats up to 8 on most trims and 7 on the TrailSport (AWD), so on the Pilot you have a third row to check as well. Put your tallest passenger in the seat they will ride in most, then do the same for the kids.

What a Passport or Pilot costs a Panama City, FL buyer in Florida charges

The Pilot starts lower and the Passport tops out lower. Honda’s suggested prices start at $42,395 for the Pilot Sport (2WD) and $44,950 for the Passport RTL. The Pilot reaches $55,195 on the Black Edition (AWD) and the Passport reaches $53,850 on the TrailSport Elite Blackout. These are the manufacturer’s suggested prices, and they are not our prices. Freight, tax, title, license, and dealer fees come on top.

Florida adds its own charges, and Bay County adds one more. The county discretionary sales surtax stacked on Florida’s 6 percent state rate is 1% for Bay County, which contains Panama City. The Department of Revenue charges it on the county of the buyer’s residing address, not the dealership’s county (Florida Department of Revenue, 2025). The same department says the surtax applies to the first $5,000 of the purchase price (Florida Department of Revenue, 2026).

Registration comes next. Florida’s base annual registration tax is $32.50 for a passenger vehicle of 3,500 pounds or more, and a one-time $225 fee applies to an initial registration (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 2026; Florida Statutes s. 320.072, 2026). Honda lists the Passport RTL at 4,478 lbs of curb weight and the Pilot Black Edition (AWD) at 4,678 lbs.

Then comes insurance, which buyers often forget until the quote arrives. Insurify’s quote study puts the average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Florida at $2,839 per year, or $237 per month (Insurify, 2026). Add that to your monthly budget before you choose a trim. A small gap in sticker price matters less than a payment that does not fit.

What Group 1 Honda Panama City buyers say about shopping for a Pilot or Passport

Group 1 Honda Panama City holds a 4.6 Google rating across 3,412 reviews, and 83% of them are five-star. We back the buying process with tools you can use before you visit.

You can apply for financing through our secure online application, which says “apply and get approved.” Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount. Through AcceleRide, you can find a new vehicle, buy it online and have it delivered.

One customer described a lease with a salesperson who answered every question without rushing. In a July 2026 Google review, Jennie R. wrote: “I leased my CRV with Matthew Tomasello and it was a great experience. He’s straightforward, honest, and answered every question I had without making me feel rushed. He has a great personality too which made the process actually enjoyable. I highly recommend Matthew!”

Frequently asked questions

Is the Honda Passport good for tall drivers?

Honda lists 41.1 in of front legroom and 40.9 in in the second row on the 2026 Passport trims. The Pilot lists 41.0 in up front and 40.8 in in the second row. The Pilot also adds a third row with 32.5 in of legroom on the EX-L, Elite and Black Edition trims.

Does the Honda Passport have a safety award?

Yes. The Honda Passport earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2026 (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2026).

Do the Passport and Pilot have the same warranty?

Yes. According to Honda’s 2026 warranty booklet, both carry a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Both also carry a corrosion warranty of 5 years with no mileage limit.

Which Pilot trim costs the least?

The 2026 Pilot Sport (2WD) starts lowest at $42,395, according to Honda. If you want all-wheel drive and the 5,000 lb tow rating, the Pilot Sport (AWD) starts at $44,495. For comparison, the Passport RTL starts at $44,950.

Can I buy a used Passport or Pilot with Honda’s certified coverage?

We sell certified pre-owned Honda vehicles. Certified vehicles carry an extended powertrain limited warranty and a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty backed by Honda. We also offer custom ordering of a new Honda.

Are Honda Passports bigger than Pilots?

The Pilot is bigger inside and out. It seats up to 8 against the Passport’s 5, and Honda lists 112.4 cu ft of maximum cargo on the Pilot EX-L against 104.6 cu ft on the Passport RTL. The Passport is the shorter of the two at 191.5 in on the RTL, against 200.1 in on the Pilot Black Edition (AWD).

Group 1 Honda Panama City is the Bay County Honda store on East 15th Street

We are a Honda dealership at 3601 E 15th St, Panama City, FL 32404, also listed as Honda of Bay County and part of Group 1 Automotive. We sell new Honda models, including the Passport and the Pilot, along with used and certified pre-owned vehicles, and we run service, parts, and financing on site. You can book service and maintenance appointments online.

One customer described a service department that moves quickly. In an April 2026 Google review, Bob D. wrote: “Always a pleasure doing business with Honda of Bay County. Service department is very efficient in getting my vehicle in and out. The service directors are personable with special appreciation to Michelle and David. In need of a new vehicle, call ahead and ask for Matthew in sales.”

Another described how service advisors treat a returning owner. In a June 2026 Google review, Corey wrote: “Every time I bring my Odyssey for service, the service team has always been prompt, professional, and polite. She is an awesome Service Advisor. Great service and great people. Today was no exception. Alex provided incredible customer service and answered all of my questions.”

Seats and weekend use pick the SUV, and Group 1 Honda Panama City sells both the Passport and the Pilot. Start with the Passport inventory and ask us about any Pilot trim.

Group 1 Honda Panama City answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Panama City showroom, or call (850) 763-5495.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Honda Panama City for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.