2025 Honda Pilot

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MSRP: $39,900

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Overview

The 2025 Honda Pilot is a midsize 3-row SUV that can seat up to eight people, and it comes in eight trims, ranging from just over $40K to nearly $55K. All use the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and i-VTM4 AWD is optional on all trims and standard on the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition.

The TrailSport also has some off-road ability, with an inch more (8.3 inches) of ground clearance, all-terrain tires , skid plates, a tow hitch, recovery hooks, and ruggedized styling. The Pilot is ideal for families looking for a roomy 3-row SUV and want reliability and a simple NA V6 engine.

What's New for 2025

The 2025 Pilot gets a new Elite-based Black Edition trim at the top of the range for a $1,500 premium. It comes with AWD, unique badging, black 20-inch alloy wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim. Inside, it gets Black Edition badging, embossed front leather seats, and red accents and stitching. The 7-seater EX-L has been discontinued , which means all Pilots except for the TrailSport are now 8-seaters. The base LX trim is gone, too; this means that the 2025 Honda Pilot’s price now starts at $40,200 for the Sport, which is the new base trim.

Exterior

The Pilot has had the boxier and more rugged look expected of an SUV since the introduction of the current (fourth) generation for the 2023 model year. All trims wear 20-inch wheels, except for the TrailSport, which not only gets 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, but also a Class III trailer hitch, skid plates, and front and rear recovery hooks. TrailSport and up also get a power panoramic moonroof.

All trims get automatic LED headlights, LED fog and taillights, and rear privacy glass. All but the EX-L come with roof rails, and all but the Sport come with a power liftgate (hands-free from Touring and up). It’s around 200 inches long and 78.5 inches wide, on a 113.8-inch wheelbase.

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Interior

All trims get a digital gauge cluster (7-inch up to Touring; 10.2-inch on the top two), while the touchscreen is a 7-inch item on the Sport (with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 7-speaker audio system) and 9-inch on the rest (with wireless phone integration and upgraded audio). Standard infotainment features include multiple USB ports throughout the cabin and HondaLink, but only the 9-inch system has HD Radio, SiriusXM, and a wireless charging pad. Mid-range trims have a 9-speaker audio system, and top trims gain navigation, Wi-Fi, and 12-speaker Bose audio.

Heated power front seats are standard, but upholstery is cloth on the Sport, leatherette with red contrast stitching on the TrailSport, and leather on the rest. Cabin space is generous, with 40.8 inches of second-row legroom and 32.5 inches in the third row, which is best suited to children. Cargo capacity varies according to how the seats are positioned, but pans out at competitive minimums of 18.6 cu-ft behind the third row, 48.5 cu-ft behind the second, and 87 cu-ft behind the first.

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Price Range and Best Value Trim

2025 Honda PilotKey Specs

Powertrain Options

Fuel Economy (MPG)

Warranty

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Proven 285-hp V6 delivers smooth, reliable power

• Up to 87 cu-ft of cargo with seats folded

• TrailSport offers genuine off-road capability with skid plates and all-terrain tires

• Intuitive cabin layout with physical buttons and easy-to-clean materials

Cons:

• Acceleration is only average for the class

• Third-row seating cramped for adults

• 9-inch touchscreen is small compared to competitors

• Warranty is shorter than Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade

Verdict

The Honda Pilot sticks to conservative engineering, with an old-school NA V6 and conventional auto to provide a dependable family SUV with three rows. It doesn’t lead the class on performance or economy, but it’s roomy and well-equipped at a good price. The TrailSport has genuine off-road ability and an ample 8.3 inches of ground clearance.

The EX-L is the best value with the upgraded infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity, leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, seat memory, and more. The touchscreen is smaller than that of most rivals, and the warranty coverage falls short of Korean rivals, but the Pilot is still a great option for people looking for a reliable and practical 3-row midsize SUV.

Competitors:

• Hyundai Palisade

• Kia Telluride

• Jeep Grand Cherokee L

• Mazda CX-90

• Toyota Grand Highlander

This story was originally published by Autoblog on Apr 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cars section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.