The 2025 Honda Pilot continues to be a top contender in the three-row SUV category, offering a robust V6 engine, spacious interior, and impressive cargo space. Redesigned in 2023, it features larger dimensions, a rugged exterior, and an updated infotainment system, ensuring it remains competitive.
Despite its size, the Pilot is agile, with quick acceleration, strong passing power even when fully loaded, and stable handling. The interior is built with quality materials, and the controls are intuitive and user-friendly. With ample small-item storage and 14 cupholders, passengers will find the Pilot both practical and comfortable.
The seats in the Pilot are comfortable and spacious, with the third row accommodating most adults. The removable center seat in the second row can be stored in the trunk’s subfloor, providing flexibility for those who occasionally need eight-passenger seating. However, the infotainment screen, at 9 inches, is smaller than those offered by some rivals.
For off-road enthusiasts, the TrailSport trim offers all-terrain tires, off-road-tuned suspension, and underbody skid plates. While the Volkswagen Atlas and Kia Telluride offer more modern designs and better fuel economy, the Pilot remains a well-rounded option.
Positives:
- Comfortable seating with flexible second-row configuration
- Spacious interior and cargo area
- Impressive off-road capability
Considerations:
- Average fuel economy for the class
- No available hybrid model
- Smaller touchscreen than rivals
What’s New for 2025: For 2025, the Honda Pilot loses its base LX trim, making the Sport trim the new entry-level model. The seven-passenger EX-L trim is also discontinued, meaning all Honda Pilots other than the TrailSport model are configured for eight passengers.
Trims and Pricing:
- Sport: Starts at $41,295
- EX-L: Starts at $44,595
- Touring: Starts at $48,595
- TrailSport: Starts at $50,495
- Elite: Starts at $54,175
- Black Edition: Starts at $55,675
Engine and Performance: The 2025 Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offers excellent ride comfort, quick steering, and a sporty feel around town. The Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Fuel Economy:
- Front-wheel drive: 19/27 mpg city/highway
- All-wheel drive: 19/25 mpg city/highway
- TrailSport model: 18/23 mpg city/highway
Interior: The 2025 Honda Pilot offers a spacious and quiet cabin with a straightforward design. It features plenty of buttons for easy operation, and the second-row middle seat is removable for added flexibility. The Pilot provides up to 113.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the seven-passenger model.
Infotainment and Connectivity: The Pilot comes with a 7-inch touchscreen in the base model, with higher trims featuring a 9-inch display. While smaller than some competitors’ screens, the system is easy to use with physical buttons and knobs. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless versions and a wireless charging pad available on higher trims.
Safety: The 2025 Honda Pilot includes the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features, such as frontal-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It also features Traffic Jam Assist for low-speed driving conditions.
Competition: The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are strong competitors, offering similar features and performance. The Volkswagen Atlas is another contender with a large cargo hold and improved fuel economy.
