Professionals: Distinctive storage and cargo house; distinctive second-row performance; refined journey; versatile and succesful TrailSport; superior AWD
Cons: Subpar acceleration with lackadaisical transmission and engine response; so-so driver help tech
Now in its third mannequin yr since an entire redesign, the Honda Pilot has settled into its ordinary place within the three-row SUV phase as a secure, strong alternative that does nearly all the things effectively. It’s undoubtedly not probably the most trendy choose, however not like the previous era, it’s not painfully uninteresting. Its design is chiseled, unfussy and may age effectively, similar to the perfect Hondas of previous. That stated, the 2025 Honda Pilot spruces issues up as a brand new/resurrected range-topping mannequin with black-out trim and red-accented leather-based. There’s additionally our choose of the litter, the off-road-oriented TrailSport that boasts cooler seems and better functionality with minimal tradeoff.
Actually, when you have been on the lookout for one phrase to summarize the Pilot it will be “versatile.” That applies to its ample storage up entrance, copious cupholders all through and a cargo space that swallows extra stuff than you’d count on. Most of all, although, it boasts a singular, detachable second-row center seat that permits the Pilot to be each a seven- and eight-passenger automobile. No want to decide on between a bench or captain’s chairs on the dealership. The seat may even be stowed below the cargo ground, though not within the TrailSport (its spare tire is just too massive), which is why it’s seven-passenger solely. True, the seat is a bit cumbersome to take away and also you in all probability gained’t routinely take away or add it, however we assure you there shall be moments while you’ll be grateful for it – particularly when you’re leaning towards captain’s chairs in a competitor.
Selecting a Pilot shouldn’t be a slam dunk – there are plenty of nice decisions to think about. Some are extra luxurious or inexpensive, others extra highly effective or partaking to drive, however we expect the Pilot’s well-rounded excellence makes it a terrific alternative for lots of people.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2025?
The bottom LX trim stage isn’t any extra, that means the bottom worth has gone up significantly because the $41,295 Sport turns into the de facto ground. On the opposite finish of the trim stage ladder, the Pilot Black Version (pictured above) makes its return as the brand new range-topping mannequin. It builds upon the loaded Elite trim stage with gloss-black 20-inch wheels, a gloss-black grille bar and mirror housings, and extra non-gloss black trim within the bumpers, doorways and home windows. It additionally will get “Black Version” badging due to course it does. Just like the previous-generation Pilot Black Version, the inside sees particular red-accented black leather-based together with emblem’d ground mats and seats.
What are the Pilot inside and in-car know-how like?
After sitting in a Hyundai Palisade, the Pilot might come throughout as a bit plain. There’s no showy trim or fanciful lighting. However, there’s an magnificence to its minimal adornment and crisp horizontal traces. It’s paying homage to Land Rover interiors – clear, practical, timeless. It’s additionally significantly better than what was there within the final Pilot (and what survives within the Passport).
The Pilot inside is finally all about intelligent packaging and considerate design. By way of storage, the entrance heart console options a big, grippy flat house for telephones or no matter, the doorways have bins in addition to bottle holders, there’s a little bit shelf within the sprint, and the entrance seatbacks have sleeves constructed into them to carry your cellphone. There’s additionally intelligent storage within the cargo space, together with a double-sided ground with carpet on one aspect and washable plastic on the opposite, however we’ll handle the remainder of the cargo space within the subsequent part.
By way of know-how, the Pilot presents two touchscreen choices. The Sport has a 7-inch unit that’s relatively rudimentary by way of its performance and look. We like its bodily buttons/knobs, although, and it runs each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These get upgraded to wi-fi connectivity in all different trims, which additionally get a 9-inch touchscreen with enhanced graphics and performance. It actually isn’t as spectacular as what you’d discover in a Palisade, Kia Telluride and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, nevertheless it’s practical and usually vice free. Dad and mom also needs to recognize the CabinTalk in-car P.A. system that permits you to broadcast your voice by way of the rear audio system. Complementing it’s a convex rear seat spy mirror to regulate their reactions.
How massive is the Pilot?
Exterior, the Pilot just about defines the phase common. It’s nearly 5 inches longer than the Toyota Highlander and 5 inches shorter than the Chevy Traverse, matching up nearly identically with the Nissan Pathfinder.
There’s nothing common in regards to the rear seating rows, nonetheless. Pictured above, the Pilot’s novel second row is a bench seat, however as within the Honda Odyssey and the Pilot’s Acura MDX cousin, the center seat folds to create a console-like armrest. It will also be eliminated utterly from the automotive or, uniquely, stowed in a cubby constructed into the Pilot’s rear cargo ground. In contrast to the Pilot’s opponents, there’s no want to decide on between eight-passenger bench seat or seven-passenger captain’s chairs on the supplier. Keep in mind that this characteristic isn’t supplied on the TrailSport. Its full-sized spare tire shrinks the requisite cubby sufficient to make stowage not possible. It successfully has captain’s chairs in consequence.
The massive Honda has one of many roomer cabins within the phase. Its 40 inches of legroom within the second row tops nearly each considered one of its opponents. Third-row legroom could be a max of 32.5 inches, making it pleasant for larger teenagers and adults, even within the 6-foot-plus class. This places it forward of the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder (each supply 28 inches) and simply behind the Chevy Traverse (33.5 inches).
On paper, the Pilot has 18.6 cubic toes of house behind the again seat, however take away the double-sided ground piece (proven under with its washable plastic floor going through up) and also you’re left with both 22.4 cubic toes or, within the TrailSport, 21.8. Theoretically, solely the Chevy Traverse/Buick Enclave have extra room again there. In our testing, we have discovered that is probably not the case, nevertheless it’s nonetheless spectacular. We discovered that the Toyota Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride can maintain only a bit extra stuff, however the Pilot is certainly higher than all the things else within the phase. We additionally like that the TrailSport comes normal with raised roof rails and a trailer hitch, which opens up cargo prospects even additional.
What are the Pilot gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
There is just one engine supplied: a 3.5-liter V6 good for 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automated is normal.
The Pilot could be had in normal front-wheel drive, or with an all-wheel-drive setup dubbed i-VTM4 (normal on TrailSport and Elite, elective all different trims). It’s arguably probably the most superior AWD system within the phase because it supplies so-called “torque vectoring”: As a lot as 70% of the engine’s energy could be despatched to the rear axle, with 100% of that transferred to at least one wheel. This isn’t solely useful for poor-weather traction, however advantages dry-pavement dealing with as effectively. It’s augmented on TrailSport fashions with a particular Path Torque Logic system and corresponding “Path” choice within the Pilot’s drive mode choice system.
Gas financial system stands at 19 miles per gallon metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed with front-wheel drive, and 19/25/21 with all-wheel drive. The TrailSport is decrease nonetheless at 18/23/20.
The Pilot could be outfitted for towing in each 2WD and AWD configurations. 2WD towing capability is an inexpensive 3,500 kilos; choosing AWD raises that cap to five,000. That’s on par with the phase, however shy of the Kia Telluride (5,500), 2024 Ford Explorer (5,600), Nissan Pathfinder (6,000) and Jeep Grand Cherokee L (6,200).
Pilot Elite and Pilot TrailSport
What is the Pilot prefer to drive?
Three-row crossovers aren’t recognized for being enjoyable to drive, and the Pilot isn’t an exception. Nonetheless, it holds its personal for a gussied-up minivan, particularly when you go for the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Steering precision is healthier than most, the journey consists and comfy and, usually, we take pleasure in driving it greater than all the things within the phase aside from the sporty Mazda CX-90 and maybe a fully-loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
Sadly, the Pilot’s powertrain might use some work. Its output appears aggressive sufficient, however the ensuing acceleration is on the sluggish aspect for the phase, and making issues worse are transmission and throttle programming that aren’t adaptable sufficient to completely different conditions. As an illustration, we needed to have interaction the Sport driving mode when driving up a collection of freeway grades as a result of the transmission was in any other case hesitant to drop down and keep in a decrease gear. Many drivers gained’t even know they’ve a Sport mode, not to mention suppose to interact it when eager to go quicker than 55 up a hill.
As for the TrailSport, it will get a singular suspension with a 1-inch raise (for a complete floor clearance of 8.3 inches) and improved strategy and departure angles. The stabilizer bars, spring charges and damper valve tuning are unique to the TrailSport, as are a full-size spare and the 18-inch wheels (stamped with TrailSport) wrapped in Continental TerrainContact all-terrain tires. Skid plates defend the oil pan, transmission and gasoline tank, and Honda says they will every assist your complete weight of the Pilot crashing down on a rock. The result’s a automobile that’s remarkably succesful for what’s basically little greater than a minivan, although just like the Pathfinder Rock Creek or Explorer Timberline, it’s not a very sturdy off-roader. It’s the form of SUV that may deliver you all the way in which to the trailhead, nevertheless it gained’t allow you to blaze your individual.
On the street, the TrailSport’s off-road tires do scale back steering precision, leading to extra steering corrections being wanted on the freeway (by you and the lane-centering steering help system). Street-holding additionally degrades, however that’s much less prone to be observed in a household hauler. Pleasantly, the journey high quality stays completely snug (not like the Kia Telluride X-Professional that has the very same tires) as does street noise. Consequently, there’s minimal draw back with going with the enjoyable off-road mannequin.
What different Honda Pilot opinions can I learn?
Honda Pilot TrailSport Street Check: Out of doors journey street journey to Oregon
The TrailSport is the Pilot particularly meant for outside adventures with its rugged tires and suspension, normal hitch and extra practical roof racks. We put all of it to the take a look at on an out of doors journey street journey from Southern California to central Oregon.
2023 Honda Pilot First Drive: Broad strokes and broader shoulders
Our first drive of the Pilot, together with an off-road drive within the TrailSport and broader particulars about its design and engineering.
Honda Pilot TrailSport Baggage Check: How a lot matches behind the third row?
In our real-world testing, we learn the way a lot matches behind the raised third row of the Pilot TrailSport. Regardless of having just a bit much less house than different trim ranges, it manages to swallow extra baggage than most autos within the phase.
What’s the 2025 Pilot worth?
The Pilot’s base worth went up by almost $4,000 for 2025, however that’s nearly solely the results of the LX trim stage being discontinued. It wasn’t fashionable. The brand new base trim stage turns into the Sport, that means gear like a heated energy entrance seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, blind-spot warning and roof rails are actually normal. It additionally has 20-inch wheels and blacked out trim, which disappears for the following rung up the trim ladder. In order that’s odd.
The EX-L, Touring and Elite principally observe the everyday development of extra gear with every stage, whereas the Black Version is principally simply an Elite with black-out trim, distinctive wheels and red-accented leather-based. The TrailSport is the true outlier. W suppose it’s the choose of the litter for its practical and aesthetic upgrades that don’t include vital downsides. You possibly can learn extra about its extras within the above driving part.
All costs under embody the $1,395 vacation spot cost.
Sport 2WD: $41,295
Sport AWD: $43,395
EX-L 2WD: $44,595
EX-L AWD: $46,695
Touring 2WD: $48,595
Touring AWD: $50,695
TrailSport (AWD solely): $50,495
Elite (AWD solely): $54,175
Black Version (AWD solely): $55,675
Pilot Black Version and Pilot TrailSport
What are the Pilot security scores and driver help options?
Normal security gear contains ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking, a street departure mitigation system, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help, adaptive cruise management with speed-adaptive following distance, visitors signal recognition, a driver inattention monitor and automated excessive beams. Collectively, these options comprise the fundamental “Honda Sensing” security suite. Low velocity braking management, cross-traffic monitoring and a parking sensor system are all obtainable on greater trims. Importantly, these are enormously improved over the identical programs discovered within the previous-generation Pilot (particularly adaptive cruise management), and though not the strongest within the phase (look to Kia and Hyundai for that) they’re now at the very least common.
The NHTSA gave the Pilot 5 out of 5 stars for total and aspect crash safety, plus 4 stars for frontal and rollover safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named it a Prime Security Choose for sufficiently excessive marks in all pertinent classes (it obtained a “Marginal” rating within the up to date IIHS “average overlap: entrance” take a look at that few different autos have been subjected to).
