Honda Odyssey or Honda Pilot: which three-row fits Egg Harbor Township families?
For an Atlantic City family that fills the third row with real passengers, the Honda Odyssey is the pick, because its third row gives 38.1 in of legroom to the Pilot’s 32.5 in. For an Atlantic City family that tows up to 5,000 lbs or wants the Pilot’s 7.3 in to 8.3 in of ground clearance, the Honda Pilot is the pick.
Most families who ask us this are really asking who sits in the back row, and how often. We answer it from Egg Harbor Township, where our store sits on Tilton Road just inland from Atlantic City.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Egg Harbor Township. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Atlantic City families who use the third row every day should buy the Odyssey
The Odyssey wins on the one thing a three-row exists to do: carry people in the last row. Its third row gives 38.1 in of legroom. The Pilot’s gives 32.5 in. That gap of 5.6 in is the difference between a teenager who rides along and a teenager who asks to sit up front.
Second-row legroom is a draw. The Odyssey gives 40.9 in and the Pilot gives 40.8 in, so the middle seats do not decide anything. The back row does.
Cargo tells the same story. Behind the second row, the Odyssey holds 86.6 cu ft and the Pilot holds 48.5 cu ft. That is 38.1 cu ft more room for strollers, sports bags, beach chairs, and groceries while the third row stays up and occupied. A family that hauls kids and gear together feels that number every week.
Seats matter too. Every Odyssey trim seats 8. The Pilot seats 7 to 8, depending on trim. If your family counts to eight, the Odyssey gives you a seat for each person on every trim we sell.
Power is close enough not to matter here. The Odyssey makes 280 hp and the Pilot makes 285 hp. Neither one will leave a family wanting.
So the first question we ask an Atlantic City family is simple: how many days a week is the third row full? If the answer is most days, stop shopping and test drive an Odyssey. If the answer is a few times a year for visiting cousins, the Pilot stays in the running, and the next two sections decide it.
A 5,000 lb tow or a January in Atlantic City points to the Pilot
The Pilot is the right call for a family whose weekends involve a trailer, or whose driveway sees real winter. It tows 3,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs, properly equipped, per the manufacturer. The Odyssey tows 3,500 lbs. If you pull anything near the top of that range, the Pilot’s upper figure gives you 1,500 lbs of extra room.
The Pilot also sits higher. Its ground clearance runs 7.3 in to 8.3 in across the trims. For a driver who parks on the street, crosses a rutted lot, or drives out after a salted snowfall, that height is a real everyday advantage.
Winter here is cold, even if it is not a snow belt. January normals for Egg Harbor Township run to an average low of 25.1 degrees Fahrenheit (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 2020). That is a cold start every morning for a family heading to school drop-off, and it is a good reason to think about the vehicle that rides higher and pulls more.
This is where the Pilot earns its place. A family with a camper, a boat on a trailer, or a pop-up for summer trips has a clear reason to choose it. A family with none of those has less reason, because the Pilot gives up 5.6 in of third-row legroom to get there.
Egg Harbor Township traffic makes mpg and cargo room count on the daily drive
On the daily drive, the Odyssey has the edge on fuel economy, and it holds it where it counts. EPA combined mpg is 22 for the Odyssey and 20 to 22 for the Pilot (EPA certification). At best the two tie. At worst the Pilot gives up 2 mpg every day you drive.
That matters because Egg Harbor Township is a slow place to drive. The township holds 18 of the 100 places on the regional planning organization’s 2023 list of the worst county and local road bottlenecks, more than any other municipality across Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties, and the worst of them is CR 608 eastbound at Fire Road (South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, 2024). Stop-and-go miles are where a 22 mpg combined figure pays you back, and where a family sitting in traffic with the third row full wants every inch of legroom.
The school run, the practice run, and the Saturday errand run all live in that traffic. The Odyssey’s numbers favor that kind of driving: the same or better fuel economy, and more room for the people and gear inside.
The Pilot does not lose this section badly. Its 285 hp and its higher seating position suit drivers who like the feel of an SUV. But a buyer who counts miles and passengers before anything else finds the Odyssey’s figures easier to live with.
The Odyssey and Pilot figures that decide it for Atlantic City families, side by side
| Figure (2026 model year) | Honda Odyssey | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP, manufacturer’s suggested price | $42,795 to $51,695 across 4 trims | $42,395 to $55,195 across 6 trims |
| Seating | 8 seats | 7 seats to 8 seats |
| Horsepower | 280 hp | 285 hp |
| Cargo behind the second row | 86.6 cu ft | 48.5 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo | 155.7 cu ft to 155.8 cu ft | 111.8 cu ft to 113.7 cu ft |
| Maximum towing, properly equipped | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs |
| Second-row legroom | 40.9 in | 40.8 in |
| Third-row legroom | 38.1 in | 32.5 in |
| EPA combined mpg, gasoline | 22 | 20 to 22 |
| Basic warranty | 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first | 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first | 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first |
Read the bold cells and the pattern is plain. The Odyssey leads on seats, cargo, and third-row room. The Pilot leads on towing. Everything else is a tie or a small gap.
Odyssey and Pilot costs for Atlantic City buyers
The two models start within $400 of each other, so price rarely decides this one. The Odyssey’s manufacturer’s suggested price runs $42,795 to $51,695 across 4 trims, and the EX-L is the lowest. The Pilot’s runs $42,395 to $55,195 across 6 trims, and the Sport (2WD) is the lowest. Those are Honda’s suggested prices, not ours.
The Pilot’s range is wider because it has more trims, and its top end sits $3,500 above the Odyssey’s top. A buyer who wants the most loaded version pays more for a Pilot. A buyer who wants the base version pays about the same for either.
Then the state adds its share. New Jersey Sales Tax is charged at 6.625%, and that is still the rate on the Division of Taxation’s current schedule (New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2026). It applies to both models alike, so it raises both prices by the same percentage.
One more charge is worth knowing about before you walk in. New Jersey adds a one-time 0.4% fee on new passenger automobiles with a sales price of at least $45,000 or a fuel efficiency rating of less than 19 miles per gallon (New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2026). Both models list 20 mpg or better, so the mileage test does not catch them. The price test can, once a sales price reaches $45,000. Ask for it on the paperwork so it never surprises you.
The cost question, then, comes down to trim. Pick the Odyssey EX-L or the Pilot Sport (2WD) and the sticker gap is small. Pick a top trim and the Pilot costs more. Either way, our Odyssey and Pilot inventory shows the price on the exact vehicle.
Boardwalk Honda gives an Atlantic City family what it needs to settle Odyssey versus Pilot
The right answer comes from seeing both on the lot and doing the paperwork in the open. We are a Honda dealership at 6807 Tilton Rd in Egg Harbor Township, and the whole lineup sits in one store, with people who sell and service this one brand every day.
We show the price up front. Listed vehicle prices add a $799 dealer doc fee to reach the sale price, and we tell you that before you sign anything.
If you have a vehicle to trade, you do not have to wait for a visit. There are three ways to get a trade-in offer online without leaving home. One online trade tool gives an offer from a license plate and state, a VIN, or a year, make, model and trim.
After the purchase, the same store keeps the vehicle on the road. Appointments can be scheduled online, in person, or by phone. We run a Honda OEM parts center that sells genuine parts and accessories. A shuttle service and loaners are available if needed, as part of Certified Honda service.
Our customers tell that story better than we do. In a September 2026 Google review of Boardwalk Honda, Karlos L. wrote:
“Amazing job to the BH Team and please make sure Ryan gets his praise for amazing service, professionalism, comms , availability and just being a total asset to the company he is the reason I come back he goes above and beyond with top tier service Thank you to the mechanic team who made sure my vehicle was safe for my daughter who will be taking the pilot to college!!!”
A July 2026 Google review of Boardwalk Honda from Rosalee K. reads:
“Ryan explained everything about my odyssey repairs and made sure my coupon worked. Always happy with the service department”
And Morrison F., in a June 2026 Google review of Boardwalk Honda, described the buying side:
“I visited several Honda dealerships when shopping for a used vehicle and Boardwalk Honda was night and day in terms of the shopping experience. They were were respectful, transparent, and took the time to address any concerns that I had. I feel that I made a great decision purchasing my Honda Odyssey from them.”
Frequently asked questions
Is the second row roomier in the Odyssey or the Pilot?
They are nearly the same. The Odyssey gives 40.9 in of second-row legroom and the Pilot gives 40.8 in. The middle seats should not drive your choice.
How many people can each one seat?
Every Odyssey trim seats 8. The Pilot seats 7 to 8, depending on trim. If your family needs eight seats on any trim you pick, the Odyssey is the safer match.
Which one has more horsepower?
The Pilot makes 285 hp and the Odyssey makes 280 hp. That is a 5 hp gap. Most families will not notice it in daily driving.
Do the Odyssey and Pilot carry the same warranty?
Yes. Both carry a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Both carry a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Can I buy a certified used Odyssey or Pilot instead of a new one?
We sell new, used, and certified pre-owned Honda vehicles. HondaTrue Certified covers 2021 to 2026 vehicles with under 80,000 miles and adds powertrain coverage of 7 years or 100,000 miles, plus non powertrain coverage for 2 additional years or up to 100,000 miles, with a 182 point inspection and a $0 deductible on covered repairs (Honda Certified Pre-Owned, 2026).
How much can each one carry with the seats folded?
The Odyssey holds 155.7 cu ft to 155.8 cu ft at maximum. The Pilot holds 111.8 cu ft to 113.7 cu ft. For a family that moves furniture or hauls sports gear, the Odyssey has the larger load floor.
The Odyssey fits most Atlantic City families, and the Pilot fits the ones who tow
For most Atlantic City families, the Odyssey is the right three-row, because it carries more people comfortably in the back, holds more behind the second row, and matches or beats the Pilot on fuel economy in Egg Harbor Township traffic. The Pilot is the right choice for the buyer who tows up to 5,000 lbs, wants its higher ground clearance, or simply prefers an SUV. If you are somewhere in between, count how often the third row is full and how often a trailer is hooked up, and let the larger number decide. We would be glad to help you make that call at our store on Tilton Road, because we know this one brand, we say what the doc fee is before you ask, and we keep the process free of pressure for any Atlantic County buyer.
Boardwalk Honda is the Tilton Road Honda store Atlantic County families trust
Boardwalk Honda is a Honda dealership just inland from Atlantic City, on the Tilton Road dealer row in Egg Harbor Township. We sell new, used, and certified pre-owned Honda vehicles and run service, parts, and financing on site. Our customers rate us 4.7 stars across 4,565 Google reviews (Google, 2026). We are part of Group 1 Automotive, which posted record full-year revenue of $22.6 billion, up 13.2%, and sold 459,000 new and used vehicles, a company record (Group 1 Automotive, 2026).
In a May 2026 Google review of Boardwalk Honda, Terrence C. wrote: “IZZY in parts and ALEX in service are awesome. Helpful, professional, and respectful of your time. Great experience!” That is what you get when you choose us: a Honda store that respects your time and your questions.
See our current Odyssey and Pilot inventory at Boardwalk Honda.
Boardwalk Honda answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Egg Harbor Township showroom, or call 609-428-4400.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Boardwalk Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
