The crew at Planet Mitsubishi is always looking for new ways to help buyers determine their ideal vehicle. And while we are very proud of our record-setting sales of the Mitsubishi Outlander, we know that many buyers want to compare this SUV to others in its class. So, we took a close look at the Outlander and Honda Pilot, and here is what we want to tell SUV buyers in the Charlotte community:

The most common criterion we hear from shoppers is that the SUV must be within their budget. The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander fits into a lot of budgets with a base MSRP of $29,840, while the Pilot comes in at $38,465 or more than $8,500 more than the Outlander. The Outlander also wins the fuel economy battle with 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway compared to 19 and 27 mpg for the Pilot.

The 3.5-liter V-6 engine in the Pilot delivers 285 horsepower, while the Outlander relies on a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder with 181 horsepower. The smaller engine also has a towing capacity that is 1,500 pounds less than the large one in the Pilot. The question buyers must answer is, are they willing to pay over $8,000 more for an 8-person seating capacity over 7, and do they need all that horsepower that guzzles fuel?

The appearance of the 2024 Outlander and Pilot are very similar. Both offer smooth lines and a spacious look. The critical factor to consider is the overall size of each SUV. While the seating capacity is very close at 7 for the Outlander and 8 for the Pilot, the overall length of the Pilot is over a foot longer. This can be an issue when finding a parking space or tolling around in the smaller neighborhoods or downtown. Both SUVs also offer handy features like remote keyless entry, proximity keyless entry, and keyless ignition.

These two SUVs are similar in their standard safety features, which include brake assist, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and an alarm. The Outlander also includes a blind spot monitoring system and rear parking sensors, which are not included on the Pilot. Both allow the buyer to have an Around view camera if desired and a heads-up display. Standard curtain airbags are included in the Pilot and Outlander, but the Pilot only provides side airbags in the front, while the Outlander has front and rear side airbags.

The significant wow factor for the 2024 Outlander is the 12.3-inch digital driver's display that allows for fast access to vital information. This feature beats the standard display of the Pilot hands down. Both include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, as well as the option to have navigation technology.

The final decision comes down to the value for your hard-earned money. From the perspective of the automotive experts at Planet Mitsubishi, the value is in the Mitsubishi Outlander, and the base price under $30K as compared to the Pilot with a hefty sticker near $40K.