2025 Honda Pilot Review

With all of the new mid-size SUV options available in today’s market, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or stressed from sorting through numerous sources of information—but that’s where we come in. MotoPickers is here to streamline your search for the ideal vehicle by thoroughly reviewing the 2025 Honda Pilot, one of the most popular models within this growing segment. 

Motopickers Rating: 8.3/10

The all-new Pilot’s popularity stems from factors such as reliability, family-friendly design in areas like cabin space with standard three-row seating across all six trims, and capable technology. 

Starting at $39,900 for the entry-level Sport trim, Honda’s 2025 Pilot also boasts solid storage solutions, a smooth ride feel, and a modern infotainment display. Performance highlights include a capable standard horsepower rating and different drivetrain options. The exterior slightly favors function over form, but this design ethos supports demanding activities like off-roading that some competing mid-size SUVs can’t handle. 

We will compare these strengths and any of this SUV’s primary weaknesses against its rivals so you can achieve a more confident buying experience with broader market trends in mind. Keep reading to learn precisely what’s behind MotoPicker’s overall rating for the 2025 Honda Pilot. 

Exterior design spotlight

The 2025 Honda Pilot’s front foreshadows its durability with a hexagon-mesh grille and narrow LED headlights, which converge to help make a confident first impression. This grille also features active shuttering to aid in aerodynamics and fuel efficiency by optimizing engine airflow. The hood is aluminum.

Transition to the back of this SUV, and you’ll find LED taillights that seamlessly fit into the rear with their shape. Available dual chrome exhaust finishers provide the rugged interior with some sporty flair. An available hands-free rear tailgate increases convenience by allowing you to access the rear cargo area with a kicking motion underneath the bumper, which is reinforced by applique without compromising aesthetics. 

Honda bookends its 2025 Pilot with front and rear stabilizer bars, while the side profile reveals highlight-worthy design choices like a body-colored roofline spoiler, which also contains an integrated brake light, power side mirrors in standard matte black, and dynamic body lines. These body lines utilize straight edges and daring angles to further establish a durable and contemporary look.

Available running boards help provide more accessible vehicle entries and exits, while optional door sill film supplies additional protection against scuffs within lower door linings. Separate rugged exterior features on this SUV include:

• Door handle film.
• Splash guards.
• Door edge guards.
• Body side molding.
• Wheel locks with a key.

The 2025 Pilot’s roof box, crossbars, gloss black roof rails, and trailer hitch are the primary exterior accessories worth considering.

Color options consist of:

• Crystal Black Pearl
• Diffused Sky Blue Pearl (MotoPickers’ favorite)
• Lunar Silver Metallic
• Modern Steel Metallic
• Obsidian Blue Pearl
• Platinum White Pearl
• Radiant Red Metallic II
• Sonic Gray Pearl

This model accommodates tires up to 20”—while an available logo pattern projector with a “Pilot” emblem helps set the tone for every night ride.

Interior design and comfort 

One of the 2025 Pilot’s most innovative interior features is its stowable 2nd-row center seat that you can put away using a hidden storage compartment under the floor panel. Separate 2nd-row perks include:

• Available captain’s chairs.
• A one-touch button that helps you fold down the 2nd-row to access the 3rd-row.
• Available integrated sun shades.

This iteration of the Pilot boasts a whopping 59.5 cubic feet (cu. ft.) of cargo storage behind the 2nd row.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel and optional leather-trimmed seats add a fresh layer of cabin sophistication. Other materials include cloth and durable synthetic leather with sporty orange stitching. At the same time, available all-season floor mats, ventilated front seats, and chair covers supply year-round comfort and durability. When you want to let more of the outside world in, an available one-touch panoramic moonroof helps establish an open cabin feel for premium comfort. 

Additional standard interior features include a sunglasses holder and a tilt and telescopic steering column for adjusting your steering wheel position.

Performance and handling

Honda doesn’t cut any corners regarding this SUV’s standard powertrain. Drivers receive a 285 horsepower V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that mitigates noise and vibration. Motorists seeking a closer connection to their vehicle’s performance can utilize this model’s shift-by-wire paddle shifters. The result is a vehicle that can pull items like a 24-ft camper or a 22-ft boat. 

The 2025 Pilot’s available all-wheel drive (AWD) enhances stability on challenging terrains, optimizes dry weather handling, provides more precise cornering, and uses a pair of clutch packs, which can separately engage to help compensate for one wheel losing traction.

What’s especially impressive about this SUV’s performance is its ability to evenly distribute load weight for a smooth ride and agile handling despite its rugged exterior. The 2025 Pilot’s tuned suspension supplies additional stability in areas like trails, while Hill Descent Control prevents you from gaining unwanted speed while traveling down inclines.

If you’re into off-roading, we recommend opting for the TrailSport trim, which has nearly an additional inch of ground clearance than last year’s model, steel skid plates protecting the vehicle’s underside, and a trailer hitch for towing requirements. The complimentary TrailWatch system projects a live feed of surrounding terrain on this model’s 9” infotainment display when in Trail mode. It’s worth noting that this SUV’s standard 7” may be too small for some.

The 2025 Pilot offers up to seven available drive modes to make real-time performance adjustments that match your surroundings. These drive modes include:

• Normal
• ECON
• Sport
• Snow
• Trail
• Sand
• Tow

Each drive mode has a distinct icon, which will display on the available 10.2” digital instrument cluster.

Fuel Efficiency 

The 2025 Honda Pilot’s fuel economy is moderate. Depending on a front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD configuration, drivers can expect to receive 18-19 MPG in the city and 23-25 MPG on the highway. This vehicle is not yet available in a hybrid version, which may deter some prospective buyers seeking additional mileage.

Honda Sensing Safety

Honda Sensing, an extensive suite of advanced standard safety features, primarily defines the 2025 Pilot’s ability to keep other passengers, other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians safe. The suite utilizes sensor inputs to provide automatic alerts, which can consist of steering and braking assistance.

Collision mitigation within Honda Sensing provides automatic braking upon recognizing an increased likelihood of a frontal impact with pedestrians or other cars. The 2025 Pilot’s road departure mitigation system activates if you cross over clearly marked lane lines, resulting in assistive steering inputs and braking assistance that keep you centered. 

Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow keeps you at a safe distance from vehicles you’re trailing with automatic braking, while traffic sign recognition enhances environmental awareness so that you never miss a beat. A blind-spot information system with side view mirror warnings, which additionally offers rear cross-traffic alert, comes standard.

IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings reveal

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) are considered the gold standards for crash test ratings, so let’s see how the 2025 Pilot performed. 

IIHS members awarded the 2025 Honda Pilot its highest possible rating: Top Safety Pick+. This organization conducts three primary crashworthiness tests: the moderate overlap front, small overlap front, and side. The IIHS also evaluates headlight and front crash prevention systems regarding their ability to avoid other cars or pedestrians.

The 2025 Pilot received the NHTSA’s highest safety rating of five stars. Given that these crash types are the most frequent in America, NHTSA officials conduct front, side, and rollover tests.

Technology close up

When it comes time to rock out, this SUV’s available Bose premium sound system with a subwoofer and 12 speakers will provide the best possible audio experience. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as upgrades, which may disappoint some. 

The 2025 Pilot’s available navigation goes above and beyond with offline maps, providing consistent connectivity in areas without signal. Opting for the WiFi hotspot elevates this connectivity via AT&T, while the add-on head-up display projects essential driving information like your speed or incoming calls onto your windshield within your line of sight.

Standard Tri-Zone Climate Control allows the 2025 Pilot to provide different temperatures for front, second, and 3rd-row passengers to suit individual preferences. Families will also appreciate the CabinTalk feature, which helps drivers easily communicate with rear passengers via speakers. 

Like a Tesla, this Honda has cameras in its front, rear, left, and right sides. The all-important front camera comes with a washer to maintain optimal clarity. We recommend downloading HondaLink for your smartphone, as this handy feature helps you remotely perform tasks like locking and unlocking doors or checking fuel levels.

Pricing and value 

Let’s explore the prices and highlights within each of the 2025 Honda Pilot’s six trims.

Sport (base model) – $39,900

You may be surprised to learn that the Sport model features larger 20” wheels. It also contains roof rails and a sleek leather-wrapped steering wheel.

EX-L – $43,200

Graduating into the EX-L trim gives you wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, leather-trimmed seats, parking sensors, and a power tailgate. 

TrailSport – $49,100

This variant’s value is showcased by its all-terrain tires, trim-exclusive 18” TrailSport wheels, an off-road-tuned suspension, and the TrailWatch camera system.

Touring – $47,200

The Touring trim stays true to its name with offline Navigation maps fostering peace of mind on and off the beaten path.

Elite – $52,780

An Elite trim keeps you in the now with a head-up display and a 10.2” driver information interface streamlining your consumption of vital driving data. Its 2nd-row heated seats don’t hurt its appeal, either.

Black Edition – $54,280

The Black Edition trim’s primary draw is its sleek, darkened exterior aesthetics and fully loaded configuration.

Competition comparison

Are you wondering how the 2025 Pilot and its capabilities stack up against the competition? This Honda’s 10-speed automatic transmission, stowable second-row center seat, and eight-passenger seating capacity are all features the new Toyota Highlander lacks. Hyundai’s Palisade and Kia’s Telluride don’t offer a 10-speed automatic transmission.

When evaluating this iteration of the Pilot vs. Ford’s Explorer, you’ll find that while the Explorer has the same transmission type, it seats one less passenger and doesn’t have a stowable 2nd-row center seat.

Bonus ownership perks

All new Hondas have a 3-year/36,000-mile Limited Warranty, whichever comes first, along with a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. Accessories have coverage for three years/36,000 miles. Roadside assistance is also available during the Limited Warranty period.

Genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Honda parts have one year’s protection, while remanufactured parts have three years/36,000 miles of protection.

Final verdict

There’s no doubt that the 2025 Honda Pilot is one of the best mid-size family SUVs on the market. Its extensive standard safety technology, rugged exterior, and robust performance converge to create a vehicle that’s ideal for weekday commuting or weekend getaways, especially when you consider its towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. 

While this model doesn’t offer a hybrid variant, fuel economy remains fairly competitive for the segment. Off-road adaptability is also a special design consideration, as up to seven available drive modes help you make on-the-fly adjustments to optimize your experience behind the wheel.

Another key highlight of the 2025 Pilot is its standard three rows of seating. Entries into and exits from the 3rd-row are easy thanks to the second row’s seats, which fold down in seconds. If you solely want to stow the second row’s middle seat, an innovative storage compartment helps you do so to free up additional space.

Some may be disappointed that technology features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging are available as upgrades in the 2025 Pilot, but these optional offerings are present in most of the model’s six distinct trims. If you feel like this SUV’s exterior lacks character, consider opting for the Black Edition trim to make a strong first impression upon your arrival. 

These factors and considerations culminate in MotoPickers giving the 2025 Honda Pilot an 8.3/10 overall rating.