Honda Ridgeline or Pilot: which fits Hilton Head Island drivers who tow and haul?
Choose the Ridgeline if your towing and hauling means a trailer and loose gear in an open bed. Choose the Pilot if you carry more people and want your cargo kept inside. Hilton Head Honda sells both new in Bluffton.
Both are 2026 models, and the right one depends on where your load rides. Our store is at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909, close enough for drivers from Hilton Head Island to compare both in one visit.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Bluffton. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Pick the Ridgeline for an open bed and the Pilot for three rows
The towing rating settles it for drivers who pull a trailer. Every Ridgeline trim in Honda’s published figures is rated for 5,000 pounds. The all-wheel-drive Pilot matches that at 5,000 pounds, and the two-wheel-drive Pilot rates 3,500 pounds. On rating alone, the Ridgeline and the all-wheel-drive Pilot tie.
Pick the Pilot when more people ride along and the cargo should stay under the roof. It seats up to eight on most trims, and its cargo area holds 111.8 cubic feet in the Sport.
How much can a Honda Ridgeline or Pilot tow?
The 2026 Ridgeline tows up to 5,000 pounds on its Sport, RTL, TrailSport and Black Edition trims, according to Honda’s published 2026 specifications. The 2026 Pilot tows up to 5,000 pounds on every all-wheel-drive trim, from the Sport through the Black Edition. The 2WD Pilot Sport and EX-L tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Match the rating to the weight you pull. Count the trailer’s own weight and whatever sits on it, then compare the total to the rating of the trim you plan to buy.
Traffic onto Hilton Head Island crosses the eastbound US 278 bridge over Mackay Creek, which was built in 1956. Its replacement is anticipated to begin in early 2028, subject to Federal Highway Administration approval (South Carolina Department of Transportation and Beaufort County, 2025). Until then, plan trailer trips around the bridge as it stands.
How much can you haul in a Ridgeline bed or a Pilot?
The Ridgeline Sport carries up to 1,583 pounds of payload in a 64.0-inch bed. The Pilot’s cargo area holds 111.8 cubic feet in the Sport and 112.4 in the 2WD EX-L, with 87.0 cubic feet behind the first row and 18.6 behind the third.
Plan a Ridgeline load by weight. Plan a Pilot load by volume. A pickup bed takes long, heavy items, while the Pilot takes boxes, coolers and luggage out of the weather.
How many people do the Ridgeline and Pilot seat?
The Pilot seats up to eight on most trims and seven on the TrailSport.
The Ridgeline’s first row offers 40.9 inches of legroom, and its second row offers 36.7 inches. The Pilot Sport gives 41.0 inches in row one, 40.8 inches in row two and 32.5 inches in row three. Plan the third row for shorter trips, and use it when you need seats, not space.
Which published figures matter most for towing and hauling around Hilton Head Island?
For towing and hauling, the three numbers that matter most are the tow rating, the cargo or payload figure and the seat count. Horsepower and torque show how the engine handles the pull. These are Honda’s 2026 figures for the Sport trims.
| Model and trim | Max towing (lbs) | Horsepower | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeline Sport | 5,000 | 280 @ 6,000 | 5 |
| Pilot Sport (2WD) | 3,500 | 285 @ 6,100 | up to 8 |
| Pilot Sport (AWD) | 5,000 | 285 @ 6,100 | up to 8 |
Both models make 262 lb-ft of torque. The Ridgeline reaches it at 4,700, and the Pilot at 5,000. The Pilot’s extra horsepower matters less than its all-wheel-drive rating when the trailer is heavy.
When is the Ridgeline or Pilot the wrong choice on price?
On starting price, the Pilot costs more. The lowest-priced Ridgeline is the Sport at $40,795, and the lowest-priced Pilot is the Sport (2WD) at $42,395. If the lower price decides it, start with the Ridgeline Sport.
On fuel economy, the two tie. The all-wheel-drive Ridgeline and Pilot both carry a 21 mpg EPA combined rating. The EPA’s combined figure is a weighted average of the city and highway ratings, weighted 55% city and 45% highway (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026).
Which drivetrain do the Honda Ridgeline and Pilot come with?
The 2026 Ridgeline is listed in the EPA record with all-wheel drive, on both the AWD and AWD TrailSport trims. The Pilot comes in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and its Sport and EX-L also come in 2WD. Every trim runs on gasoline.
The drivetrain sets the tow rating on the Pilot. The 3,500-pound rating belongs to the 2WD Sport and EX-L, and the 5,000-pound ratings belong to the all-wheel-drive trims. The Ridgeline Sport holds 19.5 gallons of fuel.
FAQ
What towing equipment do the Ridgeline and Pilot list?
Honda’s published figures give a maximum tow rating for each trim. The Ridgeline Sport, RTL, TrailSport and Black Edition are each rated for 5,000 pounds. The Pilot is rated for 3,500 pounds on the 2WD Sport and EX-L, and for 5,000 pounds on every all-wheel-drive trim.
How long is the Ridgeline bed, and how much can it carry?
The Ridgeline Sport’s bed measures 64.0 inches long. The same Sport carries up to 1,583 pounds of payload, so plan the load by weight rather than by space.
What warranty comes with a new Ridgeline or Pilot?
According to Honda’s 2026 warranty booklet, the basic warranty runs 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The corrosion warranty runs 5 years with no mileage limit.
Can I trade in my current truck or SUV at Hilton Head Honda?
Yes. You can bring your trade to Hilton Head Honda in Bluffton with or without an appointment.
What financing and leasing can I get on a new Ridgeline or Pilot?
We offer leasing and financing through our finance center. Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount.
Can I book service for my Ridgeline or Pilot at Hilton Head Honda?
Yes. You can schedule service online through our website. Service hours are Mon to Fri 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Sat 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Sunday.
How do I schedule a test drive of the Ridgeline or Pilot?
Start at Hilton Head Honda, 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909. Sales hours are Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday is 9:00 AM through 6:00 PM, closed Sunday.
Test drive the Ridgeline and Pilot at Hilton Head Honda in Bluffton
Hilton Head Honda is at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909, and is part of Group 1 Automotive. We sell new Honda vehicles, and our lineup lists both the Ridgeline and the Pilot. Our Google record, as of October 2026, is 4.8 stars across 2,799 reviews, and 92 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026).
Buyers say the same thing about the sales team. In a July 2026 Google review, Bailey B. wrote: “Jacob was the absolute best! Made it so easy to purchase my dream car!! 10/10 from me!” In another July 2026 Google review, Kelly T. wrote: “Sebastian was amazing and made purchasing a new car painless. Pleasure to work with him!”
Your next step is simple. Bring the weight of the trailer you pull and the number of people who ride with you. Then start at Hilton Head Honda or visit us at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, during sales hours.
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.
