- The stylish 3-row Honda Pilot is a great mix of space, performance, and technology
- The TrailSport trim is Honda’s most off-road-oriented Pilot SUV.
- Pricing starts at $41,650 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Honda Pilot models for sale near you
With good looks, a plethora of technology, and three rows of seating, the Honda Pilot is just what the doctor ordered for scores of families.
Not only does it have plenty of room, it offers an abundance of power courtesy of its 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine that produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Those ponies are funneled through a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it comes with front-wheel drive (FWD), all-wheel drive (AWD) is an option. The all-wheel-drive configuration nets you the ability to tow 5,000 pounds.
Its best fuel economy numbers sit right in the middle of the competition at 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined in front-wheel drive. The numbers drop to 19/25/21 configured for all-wheel drive, but slips again to 18/23/30 with the TrailSport gear added. Direct rivals include the Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Explorer, Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda CX-90, Toyota Highlander, and Hyundai Palisade.
Let’s check out what the 2025 Honda Pilot offers inside.
Passenger Room and Comfort
The Pilot boasts one of the most spacious cabins in the midsize 3-row segment. It can handle eight passengers comfortably, although in the EX-L and TrailSport variants, second-row captain’s chairs cut capacity to seven passengers.
Not only are the front seats supportive and secure, but the second row provides plenty of legroom at 40.8 inches, which is better than much of the segment. If you do decide to crawl back into the third row, the center seat is removable, allowing easier access to the 32.5 inches of legroom back there.
Also worth noting is the Pilot’s good outward visibility. This creates an inviting and airy cabin, not to mention clear sightlines for the driver.
Features and Tech
The Pilot lives up to its name with Honda’s Satellite-Linked Navigation System running through a 9-inch touchscreen mounted high on the center of the dashboard. It uses offline maps so you can continue on your trek even if you’ve got no cell service.
The cabin offers a standard-issue wireless charging pad for two smartphones to go with the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, there are two USB ports as well as a 12-volt outlet available to provide additional charging options. A Wi-Fi hot spot is an option, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system ensures crystal clear, immersive sound floods the cabin.
This SUV is also equipped with Honda’s Blind Spot Information System, a cross-traffic monitor, and a multiview camera system. The Honda Sensing Suite comes standard across the lineup. It includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, and more.
Materials and Design
As the lead dog in the Honda SUV lineup, the Pilot’s cabin is swathed in high-end materials, including an available leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-trimmed seats. Those same leather seats can be had as captain’s chairs in the second row. The TrailSport edition gets embroidered head restraints with the TrailSport logo.
For the driver, it’s a 10-way power adjustable seat with two memory positions. The front passenger gets a power seat as well. Even the dashboard and other non-fabric surfaces enjoy soft-touch plastics, making it look a bit more upscale. The panoramic roof lets in plenty of light, making the cabin feel even more spacious.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
Honda must imagine Pilot owners need plenty of hydration. That’s because you’ll find a grand total of 14 cup holders of various sizes littered throughout all three rows of seating. There are also many places to store items in cubbies, door pockets, and the center console.
Behind the split-folding third row is a generous 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. A typical shopping run won’t mean choosing between bringing back grocery bags or leaving third-row occupants behind. The space expands to 48.5 cubic feet when the third row is folded.
Should you need to do some serious load-lugging with your Pilot, folding the second and third rows provides 87.0 cubic feet of volume. The wide liftgate and relatively low cargo floor make accessing this space less of a strain.
For those who plan on towing, the Pilot has a max towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which is about average for a midsize SUV.
Build and price your version of the 2025 Honda Pilot to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or browse Pilot models for sale near you.
