Which three-row SUV is better for towing and daily tech in Glen Burnie, MD — Pathfinder or Pilot?

Jones Bel Air Nissan - Which three-row SUV is better for towing and daily tech in Glen Burnie, MD — Pathfinder or Pilot?

Families comparing three-row SUVs often ask a simple question with big implications: which model makes towing and everyday driving easier without adding stress? Around Glen Burnie, MD, that conversation frequently comes down to Nissan Pathfinder versus Honda Pilot. Both are capable, comfortable, and ready for school runs and weekend trips, yet their priorities differ in ways you can feel from the driver’s seat. Pathfinder emphasizes confident trailering and driver assistance tuned for the real world, while Pilot brings a polished cabin and proven AWD capability. The goal here is to unpack which set of strengths fits your life best, especially if your plans include hitching up and heading out.

The Nissan approach starts with robust fundamentals. With a strong V6 and a refined 9-speed automatic transmission, Pathfinder is poised at neighborhood speeds and on the interstate, even when loaded with people and gear. Available Intelligent 4x4 and the Drive and Terrain Mode selector help tailor traction across changing surfaces, and the vehicle’s Tow Mode with Downhill Speed Control adds poise on rolling routes or when backing down a ramp. Inside, the available 12.3-inch digital dashboard integrates cleanly with the center display to keep route guidance, driver aids, and media visible without feeling busy. Add in available wireless smartphone connectivity, and daily life becomes more seamless. By contrast, Honda Pilot counters with a capable i-VTM4 AWD system and helpful drive modes on upper trims, plus a roomy, versatile interior. Where the comparison gets decisive is in driver-assist depth and towing confidence.

• Towing: Pathfinder offers up to 6,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity, giving you more margin for a camper, boat, or pair of ATVs.
• Parking Visibility: Available Intelligent Around View® Monitor provides a 360-degree perspective to simplify tight lots and trailer hookups.
• Driver Assistance: Available ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link can help manage speed, distance, and lane centering while anticipating curves using map data.
• Collision Warning: Class-Exclusive Intelligent Forward Collision Warning monitors up to two vehicles ahead to help you react earlier.
• Cabin Tech: An available 12.3-inch digital dashboard pairs with wireless smartphone connectivity for a clean, modern interface.

Those features stack up to a calmer, more confident drive, particularly with a trailer attached. Where Pilot keeps pace is in interior space and amenities on higher trims, as well as useful off-pavement readiness in its TrailSport model. That said, the Nissan’s towing advantage and cohesive assist tech tilt the scales for families who routinely head out with extra gear. You will also notice how naturally Pathfinder’s 9-speed transmission goes about its work—smoother tip-in from stoplights, crisp passing response, and reassuring control on grades—qualities that make a difference across thousands of everyday miles.

If you are debating which combination of capability, comfort, and assistance aligns with your life, a side-by-side test drive is incredibly revealing. Try a congested corridor, an open highway stretch, and a few tight parking maneuvers. Feel how the steering, brakes, transmission tuning, and driver aids work together in each scenario. For many shoppers, that exercise clarifies why Nissan’s formula feels so right-sized for local driving and long-haul adventures alike.

When you are ready to get specific about trims and equipment, Jones Bel Air Nissan can help tailor a configuration that fits how you actually drive—trailering, commuting, or both—while serving Glen Burnie, Timonium, and Clarksville. Our product specialists will walk you through the details, from driver-assist settings to trailer connections, so your first weekend away feels as effortless as your weekday routine.

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