Honda Pilot 70·Hyundai Palisade 79on the MotiveGrid Score·Hyundai Palisade about $428 less over 5 years
The verdict
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is the cheaper one to own — roughly $428 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better.
The Hyundai Palisade is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.
Last updated May 2026 · National-average estimates
Honda Pilot vs. Hyundai Palisade
MotiveGrid scores, key specs, and five-year cost comparison: 2026 Honda Pilot versus 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
Metric
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Palisade
MotiveGrid Score
70
79
Cost of Ownership
71
72
Powertrain
60
48
Driver Assistance
43
32
Livability
53
71
Safety
75
100
5-Year Cost to Own
$58,449
$58,021
Depreciation (5-yr)
$20,816
$20,112
Fuel / Energy (5-yr)
$15,304
$16,036
Insurance (5-yr)
$10,865
$10,790
Maintenance (5-yr)
$1,790
$1,915
Tires (5-yr)
$2,150
$2,150
Financing (5-yr)
$6,379
$5,933
Registration (5-yr)
$1,145
$1,085
Starting Price
$42,395
$39,435
Horsepower
285 hp
287 hp
MPG (combined)
22 mpg
21 mpg
Cargo volume
18.6 cu ft
19.1 cu ft
Seating
8
8
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
Gas
2026$42,395
MSRP
$42,395
Mo · 5yr
$974
$58,449 / 5 years
Best for driver assistance
Gas
2026$39,435
MSRP
$39,435
Mo · 5yr
$967
$58,021 / 5 years
Best for long-term savings
VS
01 · The MotiveGrid Score
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Hyundai Palisade scores higher overall.
Honda Pilot
0
/ 100
Hyundai Palisade
0
/ 100
CostFive-year all-in cost to own, benchmarked against the class median.
Pilot
71
Palisade
72
Winner: Palisade
$428 cheaper / 5 yrs
PowertrainEnergy efficiency paired with long-term ownership confidence.
Pilot
60
Palisade
48
Winner: Pilot
+12 pts
Driver AssistHighway driving support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation.
Pilot
43
Palisade
32
Winner: Pilot
+11 pts
Strong highway driving support▲
LivabilityPassenger space, cargo room, and everyday maneuverability.
Pilot
53
Palisade
71
Winner: Palisade
+18 pts
Roomy cabin and cargo▲
SafetyCrash-test protection plus standard crash-avoidance features.
Too close to call — these two vehicles are within $428 of each other over 5 years. The cost difference is small enough that your priorities should drive the decision.
Honda Pilot wins on best for driver assistance; Hyundai Palisade wins on best for long-term savings.
Daily commuter
Honda Pilot
Lowest energy cost per mile
Budget-focused
Hyundai Palisade
Cheapest to own across 5 years
Family hauler
Hyundai Palisade
Much stronger safety with marginally more cargo space
Highway driver
Honda Pilot
Better adaptive cruise + lane keep
City driver
Hyundai Palisade
Easiest to park and maneuver in tight spots
03
Cost of Ownership
Monthly running costs — national baseline.
Adjust for your situation
State
Miles/yr15,000
Loan rate7%
Down payment20%
Honda Pilot
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$974
$58,449 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$974/mo
Hyundai Palisade
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$967
$58,021 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$967/mo
💡
On fuel + maintenance alone, the pricier Honda Pilot would need 17.3 years to recoup its $2,960 price premium ($171/yr in savings) — longer than most people own a car. Depreciation and insurance aren’t included in this payback view.
04
Frequently asked questions
Hyundai Palisade comes out about $428 cheaper over 5 years on running costs (depreciation, fuel/energy, insurance, maintenance, financing). The gap shifts with your state, annual miles, and loan rate — use the "Adjust for your situation" panel above.
