The 2025 Honda Pilot lineup introduces an exciting new addition: the Black Edition trim. This top-tier model exudes sophistication with its gloss black 20-inch wheels, Black Edition badges, and a suite of blacked-out exterior accents. The interior matches the exterior’s elegance, showcasing embossed leather front seats and door mats adorned with the Black Edition logo. Honda adds a touch of flair with red accents throughout the cabin, including crimson stitching on the steering wheel, seats, and door panels. Notably, this trim comes standard with all-wheel drive, ensuring a robust driving experience. Meanwhile, the base LX trim has been discontinued, making the Sport model the new entry-level Pilot.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The 2025 Honda Pilot’s pricing starts at $41,295 and escalates to $55,675 depending on the trim and options. Here’s the breakdown:
- Sport: $41,295
- EX-L: $44,595
- Touring: $48,595
- TrailSport: $50,495
- Elite: $54,175
- Black Edition: $55,675
When considering which model to buy, the Pilot EX-L stands out due to its balance of price and features. Priced at $44,595, the EX-L trim enhances your driving experience with leather seats, a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a power tailgate. The choice of whether to opt for all-wheel drive depends on personal preference. However, the increased towing capacity it offers is a significant advantage, making it worth the investment for those who need it.
Why the EX-L Trim?
The EX-L trim strikes the perfect balance between luxury and practicality. The leather seats provide a comfortable and stylish ride, while the larger touchscreen ensures you stay connected and entertained on the go. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means no more tangled cords, and the wireless smartphone charging keeps your devices powered up effortlessly. The power tailgate adds convenience, making loading and unloading a breeze, especially when your hands are full.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2025 Honda Pilot comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that generates 285 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers a smooth and responsive driving experience. While the Pilot is primarily a front-wheel-drive vehicle, all-wheel drive is available for those who need extra traction.
Smooth and Steady
Although the V-6 engine might not make the Pilot the fastest SUV on the road, its linear throttle response and the 10-speed automatic’s smooth shifts ensure a refined driving experience. The Pilot feels composed and confident on the road, with responsive steering and effective braking that inspire confidence in various driving conditions.
TrailSport: Ready for Adventure
For those seeking adventure, the TrailSport model stands out. It’s designed to handle moderate off-road terrain, proving its capability on real-world trails near Breckenridge, Colorado, and Sedona, Arizona. The TrailSport features a special suspension with a 1.0-inch lift, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a hill-descent control system. Additionally, it has a specially tuned all-wheel drive system with a Trail driving mode.
While the TrailSport is not intended to tackle extreme off-road challenges like the Moab trails, it’s perfectly suited for mild-to-moderate off-roading, making it a great choice for weekend adventurers.
Performance: 0–60 MPH Times
We’ve tested two Pilot trims since the latest redesign, and the results are impressive for this class. The Elite trim reached 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while the TrailSport was slightly quicker, completing the same sprint in 6.9 seconds. These times reflect typical performance for SUVs in this segment, ensuring that the Pilot remains competitive.
Towing and Payload Capacity
When it comes to towing, the 2025 Honda Pilot offers respectable capabilities. The maximum towing capacity is 5000 pounds, but this is limited to all-wheel drive models. If you opt for the front-wheel drive version, the towing capacity drops to 3500 pounds. This performance is on par with competitors like the Telluride and Grand Highlander but falls short compared to the Dodge Durango’s impressive 8700-pound towing capacity.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates that the 2025 Pilot delivers up to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. In our real-world tests, the results varied slightly based on the trim and tire setup.
We tested a 2023 Pilot TrailSport, which comes with more aggressive all-terrain tires and additional off-road enhancements. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, it achieved 22 mpg, which is slightly less than other V-6-powered three-row SUVs like the Kia Telluride, which managed 24 mpg. On the other hand, the Pilot Elite, equipped with less aggressive tires, performed better, delivering 27 mpg in the same test. For the most accurate and up-to-date fuel economy figures, it’s best to visit the EPA’s website.
2025 Honda Pilot Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
As a family-friendly SUV, the 2025 Pilot’s cabin is thoughtfully designed to accommodate up to eight passengers across three rows of seats.
- Second-row captain’s chairs are optional on the EX-L trim and come standard on the TrailSport.
- Touring and Elite models feature a versatile second-row seat design where the middle section can be removed and conveniently stored under the floor in the cargo area when not needed.
Honda takes pride in the practical features of the Pilot’s interior. For instance, eight of the Pilot’s cupholders can accommodate large 32-ounce water bottles. When it comes to cargo space, the Pilot performs admirably. With all three rows of seats up, there’s still enough room to fit six carry-on-sized boxes behind the third row, which is two more than what the Kia Telluride can manage.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2025 Honda Pilot offers a range of infotainment options to keep you connected and entertained on the go. So, what size screen is the Honda Pilot 2025? The base Sport model comes equipped with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Honda’s latest infotainment interface is user-friendly and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For those looking for a more enhanced experience, all other models feature a larger 9.0-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. The Elite and Black Edition models take it a step further with a 10.2-inch gauge cluster. To complement these tech features, Honda equips the Pilot with a standard 7-speaker stereo system, while the Touring and Elite models come with a premium 12-speaker Bose setup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Safety is a top priority for Honda, and the 2025 Pilot is no exception. Every Pilot model is equipped with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features. This bundle includes:
- Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beam headlamps
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Honda offers a warranty package that is standard for its class, though not as extensive as some competitors like Hyundai. All 2025 Pilot models come with a complimentary maintenance plan that covers regular oil changes and basic services for two years or 24,000 miles. Here’s a breakdown of the coverage:
- Limited warranty: Covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: Covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance: Covered for two years or 24,000 miles
What is the difference between 2024 and 2025 Honda Pilot?
Performance
The performance of the 2024 Honda Pilot carries over to the 2025 model without any changes. Both model years feature a V6 gas engine producing 285 horsepower. Most trims offer front-wheel drive, while the Elite and TrailSport trims, along with the new Black Edition, come standard with all-wheel drive.
Appearance
The most noticeable change for the 2025 model year is the elimination of the base LX trim and the introduction of the Black Edition. The Black Edition now tops the lineup, positioning it above the Elite trim. This special edition features a sleek, blacked-out aesthetic with dark coloring on the 20-inch wheels, side mirrors, grille, and other exterior elements. Additionally, it boasts special Black Edition badging, making it a standout choice for those who prefer a more aggressive look.
Features
The 2025 Pilot Black Edition brings several unique design updates, including red accent lighting, red leather seats, red stitching on the upholstered surfaces, and interior badging. Other than these enhancements, the features offered in the 2025 Honda Pilot remain identical to those in the 2024 model.
Some key features across both model years include:
- A 7-inch to 9-inch touch display screen
- An intercom system
- A heated steering wheel
- A wireless internet hotspot
- Wireless device charging
- Wireless connectivity
- Speed-sensitive volume control
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
