Compare the2026 Honda PilotVS 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

The Honda Pilot has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Pilot deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Pilot’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Ioniq 9’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Pilot has standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Honda Pilot TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s Multi-View Camera System is equipped with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

Both the Pilot and the Ioniq 9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Honda dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 70 more horsepower (285 vs. 215) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Ioniq 9 S’ standard electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Pilot is faster than the Ioniq 9 S electric motor:

The Pilot has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Pilot TrailSport has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Ioniq 9; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Pilot TrailSport handles at .81 G’s, while the Ioniq 9 S pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Pilot TrailSport’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Ioniq 9’s (37.7 feet vs. 41 feet). The Pilot’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Ioniq 9’s (37.8 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Pilot has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ioniq 9 (7.3 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Pilot to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Pilot TrailSport’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Ioniq 9 (8.3 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Honda Pilot may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 to 1300 pounds less than the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The Pilot offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Ioniq 9 can only carry 7.

The Pilot has .5 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row legroom, 2.9 inches more third row hip room and 4.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ioniq 9.

The Pilot’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ioniq 9.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pilot. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

A Maintenance Minder is standard on the Pilot to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, brake pad replacement, and transmission fluid replacement, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Ioniq 9.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 51% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

The Pilot’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq 9’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Ioniq 9 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Pilot, based on reliability, safety and performance.