Best three-row Honda for Lowcountry families
Families in Bluffton, Beaufort, Hilton Head and Savannah face one question when they shop for a three-row Honda: which one handles car seats, coolers and bridge traffic without compromise. The Pilot and the Odyssey are the two real answers, and they suit different days. For most Lowcountry families, the Pilot is the better three-row Honda. The Odyssey wins for families who load car seats every day, and Hilton Head Honda sells both, so you can test them side by side in Bluffton.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Bluffton. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
The Honda Pilot is the best three-row Honda for most Lowcountry families
We recommend the Pilot first to Lowcountry families because it seats up to eight and offers all-wheel drive. The Black Edition and Elite AWD trims also tow 5,000 lbs. A family hauling a trailer to the water needs that rating, and the Pilot AWD trims give it.
We sell new Pilot and Odyssey models, along with the Accord, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Passport, Prelude, Prologue and Ridgeline. We also run a parts center that sells OEM Honda parts and orders parts we do not have in stock, so your Honda stays on the road after the sale.
How many seats and car seats fit in each three-row Honda?
Seat count alone does not separate the two, so the difference is in the third row.
The second row is close in both models, at 40.8 inches in the Pilot and 40.9 inches in the Odyssey. Families with three car seats should look hard at the third row first, because that is where the Odyssey offers more room for a child to sit comfortably.
Pilot or Odyssey: which suits Lowcountry driving better?
The Pilot wins on towing, and the Odyssey wins on cargo and third-row room. The Pilot EX-L and Black Edition tow up to 5,000 lbs, while the Odyssey EX-L, Elite and Sport tow 3,500 lbs. A trailer for a boat or a beach cart is a job for the Pilot.
Coolers, chairs and luggage are a job for the Odyssey. For a family hauling coolers and beach chairs, the Odyssey’s cargo count matters more than the towing rating.
How much cargo room do beach and boat days need in a three-row Honda?
A beach day needs room for coolers and chairs with the third row still in place. The Odyssey gives 32.8 cubic feet behind row 3, against 18.6 cubic feet in the Pilot Black Edition. Behind row 2, the Odyssey offers 86.6 cubic feet, against 48.5 cubic feet in the Pilot.
At maximum cargo, the Odyssey EX-L reaches 155.8 cubic feet and the Pilot EX-L reaches 112.4 cubic feet. A family that folds seats can use either Honda. A family that keeps the third row up for passengers will find more room in the Odyssey.
Is the Honda Pilot or Odyssey better for Lowcountry bridges, traffic and weather?
The Pilot offers available all-wheel drive, and the base Odyssey is front-wheel drive. The Pilot AWD is rated 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined, and the base Odyssey is rated 19 city, 28 highway and 22 combined. The Odyssey uses less fuel on the highway, while the Pilot’s all-wheel drive is the better answer for wet bridge approaches.
Hilton Head Island workers have a mean travel time to work of 18.5 minutes (US Census Bureau, QuickFacts, 2020 to 2024). The bridges between Bluffton and Hilton Head Island are a different matter. The US 278 Corridor Improvements Project would replace all four bridges with one new six-lane bridge, but its status page says the full project is on hold over a funding gap, with only the eastbound bridge replacement moving forward (South Carolina Department of Transportation and Beaufort County, US 278 Corridor Improvements Project status page, 2026). Until that changes, the drive across those bridges stays the same, and our store is on Fording Island Road in Bluffton, where the Pilot and Odyssey are both on display.
Should Lowcountry families buy a new or certified pre-owned three-row Honda?
We sell both new and Certified Pre-Owned Honda models, so the choice comes down to which Honda suits your family. A new Pilot or Odyssey is the choice for the latest model. A certified pre-owned model is the choice for a lower purchase price on the same family-sized Honda.
You can start with your current car. Our trade-in tool gives an instant offer from a VIN or license plate, and customers can bring a trade to the store with or without an appointment. Our payment calculator accepts that trade-in offer amount, so a family can compare a new payment with a certified one before deciding.
Why do Lowcountry families buy their three-row Honda from Hilton Head Honda?
Hilton Head Honda has a 4.8-star Google rating across 2,799 reviews, and 92 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026). Each Honda dealer in the market carries its own Google rating and review count, as shown here.
| Dealer | Address | Google rating | Google reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Honda | 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909 | 4.8 | 2,799 |
| Stokes Honda Cars of Beaufort | 88 Robert Smalls Pkwy, Beaufort, SC 29906 | 4.6 | 1,067 |
| Grainger Honda | 1596 Chatham Pkwy, Savannah, GA 31408 | 4.6 | 5,151 |
| Southern Motors Honda | 10300 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31406 | 4.7 | 3,772 |
Of our 128 most recent four- and five-star Google reviews, 11 describe a low-pressure sales process. One repeat buyer put it this way. In a July 2026 Google review, Kathleen wrote: “This is my second Honda purchase and I must say it was a great experience. Shawn Belz was my salesperson both times and he is very knowledgeable , professional, and a gentleman. He is a no pressure guy and a pleasure to work with.”
Service can be booked online through our website. We also run a parts center that sells OEM Honda parts and can order what we do not have in stock.
Which is easier for loading kids and car seats in tight parking lots, the Pilot or the Odyssey?
The Odyssey is the easier pick for loading kids and car seats in a crowded lot. Every Odyssey trim comes standard with power sliding doors, so the door slides along the side of the van instead of swinging out into the next car. The Pilot Sport (2WD) is the shorter of the two models, at 200.1 inches long, against 205.2 inches for the Odyssey EX-L, according to Honda’s published 2026 specifications. Both are 78.5 inches wide.
The power doors have a speed limit that shapes how they are used. Honda’s published wording reads: “the power sliding doors may be operated when the vehicle is in gear and going less than 1.2 mph, if the driver’s foot is on the brake or the parking brake is engaged” (Honda Info Center, Power Sliding Doors, 2026). In a lot, that means the doors work while you creep into a space with your foot on the brake, which is the moment a parent is usually juggling a car seat and a diaper bag.
For a family that loads car seats in a busy lot most days, the Odyssey’s sliding doors are the deciding feature.
Which Honda Pilot trim suits sandy or uneven Lowcountry paths?
The Pilot TrailSport is the trim for uneven ground. It is the one Pilot trim rated at 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and that rating is for all-wheel drive. The Sport and EX-L trims are rated at 7.3 inches in both 2WD and AWD. The Touring, Elite and Black Edition are AWD only, at 7.3 inches (Honda, 2026 Pilot Features & Specifications, 2026).
Honda describes the TrailSport this way: “The TrailSport combines an extra inch of ground clearance with trail torque logic, an all-wheel-drive control that operates with Trail mode, to help keep you moving over rocky ground” (Honda, Capability, 2026). The extra inch is the start of that setup. The TrailSport also lists the i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system with Trail Torque Logic, and Hill Descent Control as a feature (Honda, See more trailsport, 2026).
The trade-off is seating. The TrailSport seats 7, where the other Pilot trims seat up to 8, and its starting MSRP is $50,595 (Honda, 2026). A family that needs three car seats and rough-ground clearance will want to check that the seating works before choosing this trim.
To see the TrailSport, name it when you contact Hilton Head Honda at 161 Fording Island Rd in Bluffton, SC 29909 to schedule a test drive.
Should your Lowcountry family choose the Honda Pilot or the Odyssey?
Choose the Odyssey if your family loads car seats and gear every day. Choose the Pilot if your family tows or needs all-wheel drive. The third row and the cargo area decide the first choice, and the towing rating and all-wheel drive decide the second.
According to Honda’s published 2026 specifications, the three models compare like this:
| Model | Third-row legroom (in) | Cargo behind row 3 (cu ft) | Max cargo (cu ft) | Max towing (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Sport (2WD) | 32.5 | 18.6 | 111.8 | 3,500 |
| Pilot Sport (AWD) | 32.5 | 18.6 | 111.8 | 5,000 |
| Odyssey EX-L | 38.1 | 32.8 | 155.8 | 3,500 |
The Odyssey EX-L gives 38.1 inches of third-row legroom, against 32.5 inches in the Pilot Sport, and it carries 32.8 cubic feet behind row 3, against 18.6. The Pilot Sport (AWD) tows 5,000 lbs, against 3,500 for the Odyssey EX-L. Pick the AWD Pilot if you tow a boat or a beach cart.
In a September 2026 Google review, Sylvia W. wrote: “Jerome was my sales guy he was AWESOME! We shopped with our children so it was a little busy, but Jerome was understanding, helpful, and patient. I didn’t have any issues everything went smooth . Thanks guys!!!” Sylvia W. described a visit made with children in tow, which is the test a family with car seats should run on any of these models.
Test both at Hilton Head Honda by contacting the store to schedule a drive. Name both models when you call.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Honda Pilot and the Honda Passport?
The Passport seats five, while the Pilot EX-L and Black Edition seat up to eight. If you need a third row for car seats, the Pilot is the Honda to choose.
Which three-row Honda has the most third-row legroom?
The Odyssey does. Its third row offers 38.1 inches of legroom on the EX-L, Elite, Sport and Touring. The Pilot EX-L and Elite give 32.5 inches in the third row.
Does the Honda Pilot come with all-wheel drive?
Yes. The Pilot EX-L and Sport come in 2WD or AWD; the Elite, Touring, TrailSport and Black Edition are AWD. The Black Edition is all-wheel drive too, with a 5,000 lbs towing rating.
How do I get an itemized quote on a new three-row Honda?
Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount, which is a useful start for any new Pilot or Odyssey. You can also get an instant trade-in offer from a VIN or license plate.
How do I bring a trade-in when I buy a Pilot or Odyssey?
Get an instant offer by VIN or license plate, then bring your vehicle to the store with or without an appointment. Our payment calculator accepts that trade-in offer amount, so you can see the payment before you sign.
Is a used or certified pre-owned Pilot a good value for a family?
We sell certified pre-owned Honda models alongside new ones, so a certified Pilot or Odyssey is one option among the models we stock. The seat, cargo and towing figures for each trim decide whether it fits your family.
Can I test drive both the Pilot and the Odyssey on the same visit?
Test drives are scheduled by contacting our Bluffton store at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909. Name both models when you contact us.
How Hilton Head Honda lets a family test drive the Pilot and Odyssey in Bluffton
A three-row Honda should be driven before it is bought, and Hilton Head Honda lets a Lowcountry family test both the Pilot and the Odyssey in Bluffton. The Pilot suits most families for its towing and all-wheel drive, while the Odyssey suits families who load car seats and cargo every day. Testing both in one place turns the choice into a decision made from the driver’s seat.
Our 4.8-star record across 2,799 Google reviews shows what our customers expect from the sales process. We carry the Pilot and the Odyssey new, so a family can compare them without a second trip.
Visit us at 161 Fording Island Rd in Bluffton, SC 29909, or contact Hilton Head Honda to schedule your test drive.
Hilton Head Honda makes the Pilot-or-Odyssey choice a test drive, not a guess. Families can start by contacting the Bluffton store to book a drive of both models.
Hilton Head 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 Bluffton showroom, or call (843) 815-2880.
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 Hilton Head Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
