Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2023 Mazda CX-9
Overview
| Spec | Honda PilotSport | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Sport | Touring |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2023 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Honda PilotSport | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $42,395 | $38,750 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $37,991 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $48,037 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $55,867 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 14 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Honda PilotSport | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG | 23 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 19 MPG | 20 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal | 19.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Honda PilotSport | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 285 hp (best) | 227 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 3.5 L (best) | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Honda PilotSport | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 8 seats (best) | 6 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 5 (best) |
| Cargo volume | 87 cu ft (best) | 71.2 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Payload | — | 1,434 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 4,336 lbs (best) | 4,409 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 8.8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 115.3 in (best) |
| Length | 200.1 in (best) | 199.4 in |
| Width | 78.5 in (best) | 77.5 in |
| Height | 71 in (best) | 69 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Honda PilotSport | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Honda Pilot | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sport $42,395 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Touring $38,750 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Sport $44,495 MSRP | Touring Plus $41,350 MSRP |
| 3 | EX-L $44,695 MSRP | Carbon Edition $44,830 MSRP |
| 4 | EX-L $46,795 MSRP | Grand Touring $45,690 MSRP |
| 5 | TrailSport $50,595 MSRP | Signature $48,460 MSRP |
| 6 | Touring $51,295 MSRP | — |
| 7 | Touring S $52,295 MSRP | — |
| 8 | Elite $53,695 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Black Edition $55,195 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Honda Pilot14 for sale
See all
Used2024 Honda Pilot
Touring
73,453 mi$37,991Jay Hatfield GMC of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
Used2024 Honda Pilot
Touring
73,453 mi$37,991Jay Hatfield Chevrolet of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
- New
2026 Honda Pilot
TrailSport
Ash Green Metallic4 mi$52,767Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
- New
2026 Honda Pilot
EX-L
Smoke Blue Pearl•Gray4 mi$47,207Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
Elite
Platinum White Pearl•Brown4 mi$55,867Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
EX-L
Platinum White Pearl•Gray5 mi$48,967Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2023 Mazda CX-9 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2023 Mazda CX-9 starts lower at $38,750. Live Honda Pilot listings start at $37,991.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2023 Mazda CX-9 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,750).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2023 Mazda CX-9 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (23).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2026 Honda Pilot leads on horsepower in this comparison (285).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2026 Honda Pilot leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2026 Honda Pilot leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Honda Pilot (5/5 NHTSA overall); Mazda CX-9 (5/5 NHTSA overall).