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The 2025 Honda Pilot comes with some small changes from 2024. We look at interior quality, infotainment, and more in our review.
2025 Honda Pilot Side Exterior – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2025 Honda Pilot on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2025 Honda Pilot?
The 2024 Honda Pilot gets a few minor updates after an all-new third-generation launched last year. It comes standard across the lineup with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Honda offers it with front or all-wheel drive and there are six different trim levels to choose from. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, and a surround-view camera system is available too. After a mostly full-scale revamp of the Pilot last year, Honda has only a couple of small improvements to add in 2025. First, the LX model from last year is gone. Second, a new range-topping Black Edition costs $55,675 and comes with black wheels and black accents.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.5/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
8.75/10
Technology
Score
8.75/10
Value
Score
8.5/10
The Breakdown
Spacious cabin
Comfortable ride
Clever storage
Small infotainment screen
Meh performance
Still behind rivals
A good but not great SUV
2025 Pilot Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 262 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 18.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 87 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 5,000-lb
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- Two years of free maintenance
2025 Honda Pilot Powertrain 8/10
Last year, Honda introduced this “all-new” Pilot, but we pointed out that at least one component isn’t “all-new”. That component is the beating heart of the Pilot, its engine, and its drivetrain. Just as was the case for the previous generation, this Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine. For 2024, it makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. As we pointed out last year, that’s behind the curve when compared to many rivals.
It leads the Pilot to perform below the average too and makes it less engaging and fun to drive. The steering is a bit numb, the body roll is notable, and the pedals aren’t as smooth as we’d prefer. Interestingly, Honda did add the TrailSport which has a few small but sincere off-road features. It has a bit more ground clearance. It has an off-road traction control system, a unique suspension, 18-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires too.
Another plus for the Pilot is its 10-speed automatic transmission which is smooth and helps to make the most of the meager power on offer. As for fuel economy, it’ll get up to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. It’s on the freeway that the Pilot feels best too. It’s smooth and comfortable and soaks up bumps well. Finally, it’ll tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with all-wheel drive which is available across the lineup and comes standard on some models.
2025 Honda Pilot Interior 8.75/10
The Pilot prioritizes comfort over just about everything else and does well at accomplishing that goal. The cabin is spacious and the seating is supportive. The second row is available as a bench seat or as a pair of captain’s chairs. There’s even one setup with a stowable center seat so that buyers can go back and forth from a seven-seater to eight.
Honda offers several amenities throughout the cabin that will make long trips more enjoyable. Tri-zone climate control is standard as is ambient interior lighting. A household-style power outlet in the second row, a wireless device charger, and a panoramic glass roof are also available. It’s also possible to add second-row heated seats.
At the same time, there are some parts of the interior that aren’t particularly special. The dash is simple and elegant but lacks some of the panache found in vehicles like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The stitching and switchgear could look and feel better than it does. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the Pilot has more cargo space than most other three-row SUVs. It offers 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded.
2025 Honda Pilot Technology Features 8.75/10
Honda’s approach to technology in the Pilot is a mixed bag. The base infotainment system measures just 7 inches which is very small. In addition, the only other option is 9 inches, which is better but still well below the rest of the segment. The screen operates well though. It’s quick, responsive, and easy to navigate. We just wish the screen was larger, which would drastically improve the experience.
A digital gauge cluster is only available on the top two trims but it’s larger than the infotainment system. In addition, there’s an available heads-up display, a surround-view camera system, and luxury features like rain-sensing wipers. Where the Pilot really shines though is when it comes to safety.
The entire range comes standard with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. It’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick and has a five-star crash test rating.
2025 Honda Pilot Trims & Pricing
Sport – $41,295
The new base model of the Pilot comes with 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED fog lights, keyless entry, a second-row bench seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 7-inch infotainment system, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, seven speakers, and ambient interior lighting.
EX-L – $44,595
This trim adds luxury features like a 9-inch infotainment system, a nine-speaker sound system, leather upholstery, a 12-volt power outlet, a wireless device charger, satellite radio, an in-cabin intercom system, rear-door sunshades, a noise-reducing front windshield, a power liftgate, and heated side mirrors.
Touring – $48,595
The Touring gets AWD as standard in addition to keyless entry for all doors, sound-reducing front windows, a stowable middle seat for the second row, integrated navigation, a 12-speaker sound system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a hands-free liftgate.
TrailSport – $50,495
This off-road-focused trim gets a bit more ground clearance, standard AWD, 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, faux leather upholstery, a surround-view camera system, an off-road traction control setting, underbody skid plates, a panoramic sunroof, a class III trailer hitch, recovery hooks, a heated windshield, a household-style power outlet in the second row, and second-row captain’s chairs.
Elite – $54,175
This trim includes a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a heads-up display, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard second-row seats, ventilated front seats, and rain-sensing wipers.
Black Edition – $55,675
This new trim includes black wheels and black trim but not much else to write home about.
2025 Honda Pilot Overall Value 8.5/10
Of the Pilot lineup, we really like the EX-L. It doesn’t cost much more than the base version but comes with most of the features folks want and doesn’t miss out on any of the safety equipment. It also gets the same five-year powertrain warranty and two years of free maintenance as well. On top of that, you’ll save almost $15,000 over the cost of a top trim Pilot.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.5/10
2025 Honda Pilot – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2025 Honda Pilot on Carsforsale.com
The Pilot is a fine SUV but it’s not a class leader which is wild to say. The Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander all offer more for similar (and sometimes less) money. Honda needs to improve its drivetrain and infotainment package as soon as possible. Until then it’ll continue to be the best of the rest.
2025 Honda Pilot FAQ
Is the Honda Pilot based on a car or truck frame?
It’s based on a unibody frame which is more closely associated with car frames than truck frames. That frame is in part why the Pilot is better to drive than conventional trucks.
How much horsepower does the Honda Pilot V6 have?
The Honda Pilot V6 generates 285 horsepower.
How much can a Honda Pilot tow?
The Honda Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
