For decades, Honda was known as the sensible sedan maker, the creator of fuel-efficient small cars that were reliable and gave drivers many years of great performance. However, while Honda's fuel efficiency and reliability haven’t changed, the company now puts more of a focus on bigger vehicles, namely, SUVs. The biggest of the bunch right now is the three-row Pilot, which is one of two midsize models Honda makes (the other is the two-row Passport). If you are considering looking for a new Honda Pilot for sale, this guide is for you. We will go over all of the ins and outs of this vehicle so you can figure out if it is right for you.
Power and Efficiency
The 2025 Pilot has one engine choice, but it is really all you need. Under the hood is a 3.5L V6 that produces 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. While front-wheel drive is standard, you can opt for Honda's twin-clutch i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system.
The Pilot has very nice gas mileage, getting an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive.[a] If you go with all-wheel drive, the city rating stays the same, but the highway rating drops slightly to 25 MPG on the highway.[a]
As mentioned, the Honda Pilot is a sizable vehicle. However, it does not drive like one, as it has nice agility and stays composed even through sharp turns. It also has strong and responsive brakes, which will give you great confidence behind the wheel. In addition, if you regularly need to drive on imperfect roads, this SUV does a fantastic job of smoothing them out.
Interior Features
Inside the 2025 Honda Pilot, you will find an extremely roomy cabin. If you choose a bench seat for the second row, it has room for eight people. If you instead go with captain’s chairs, the passenger capacity drops to seven. No matter your choice, all three rows are spacious, and even adults will not mind sitting all the way back.
Along with plenty of room for people, the Pilot also makes it easy to transport a lot of cargo. It offers 21.8 cu.ft. behind the third row, 59.5 cu.ft. when it is folded down, and up to 111.8 cu.ft. with all back seats folded. A manual liftgate is standard, but a power liftgate is available.
The Pilot is designed to keep everybody comfortable. The seats are supportive and well-cushioned, so even long trips will not feel cumbersome. Standard amenities include cloth upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Technology and Safety
You are going to love all of the technology found in the 2025 Honda Pilot. The infotainment system is a snap to use and operated with a seven-inch touchscreen, along with physical knobs and buttons. A seven-inch digital gauge cluster with an analog speedometer compliments the touchscreen on the dashboard. Other standard features include four USB ports, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a seven-speaker stereo, and Bluetooth. It also comes with Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, remote start, push-button start, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
Honda has a well-deserved reputation for creating safe vehicles, and the Pilot only adds to this. It was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is the organization's highest honor.[b] The SUV also received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[c]
In addition to those excellent ratings, the Pilot comes with numerous systems to help keep passengers protected. These include Forward Collision Warning, which sends you an alert if a possible crash is detected. A Collision Mitigation Braking System is also included, which enables the Pilot to apply the brakes automatically if necessary. With Lane Departure Warning, you will get a signal if the vehicle detects that you have drifted out of your lane accidentally, and the Lane Keeping Assist System will help the vehicle stay centered between the lines.
The Blind Spot Information System will make sure that you always know about vehicles in the spots you are unable to see using your mirrors, and the Cross Traffic Monitor will let you know when it is safe to back up. Other built-in safety features include a Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, a Driver Attention Monitor, and Auto High-Beam Headlights.
2025 Honda Pilot Trim Levels
The Honda Pilot has six trims to pick from. The base Sport trim rides on 20-inch wheels and comes with all of the standard features and amenities mentioned above.
Honda Pilot EX-L
The second trim is the EX-L. It has 18-inch wheels and comes with genuine leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory settings, a power liftgate, rear sunshades, and heated side mirrors. Tech features have been expanded, as this trim includes HD radio and SiriusXM, a nine-speaker sound system, wireless device charging, and a nine-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two extra USB ports in the third row, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and the CabinTalk in-car intercom system are also standard. Front and rear parking sensors come with this trim as well.
Honda Pilot Touring
The Touring goes back to 20-inch wheels, but it has all of the other features of the EX-L, plus several more goodies. First of all, it comes with a second-row bench seat with a nifty component: you can remove the middle section and stow it under the cargo floor. Other built-in features include an in-dash navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, a hands-free power liftgate with Walk Away Close, and a panoramic moonroof.
Honda Pilot TrailSport
Ready to do some off-roading? If so, the Pilot TrailSport is for you. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, an off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires with a full-size spare tire, two skid plates, and a trailer hitch. The seats are coated with synthetic leather upholstery with orange accents, and the second row has captain’s chairs. The TrailSport also comes with a heated steering wheel, a 110-volt household-style power outlet, and a Multi-View Camera System that includes TrailWatch and a washer for the front camera.
Honda Pilot Elite
The Elite trim also comes with standard all-wheel drive, along with the standard features of the Touring trim. In addition, it comes with ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Honda Pilot Black Edition
The Black Edition is the top-of-the-line 2025 Honda Pilot trim. It has the same features as the Elite trim but sports 20-inch gloss-black wheels and a blacked-out exterior with red interior accent lighting.
Explore the 2025 Honda Pilot!
The Pilot is an excellent three-row SUV, as it shines in all areas. It has loads of power, great drivability, a big and comfortable cabin, and state-of-the-art tech and safety systems. The only question now is, which one do you go with? At Bedard Brothers Honda, you will find an assortment of new Honda Pilot models. We always aim to carry a variety of trims in order to give our customers a lot of choices. Tell us what you are looking for with your SUV, and we will help you pick out the best option for your needs. Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us!
[a]19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 19 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg rating for non-TrailSport AWD trims. 18 city/23 highway/20 combined mpg rating for TrailSport. Based on 2024 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.
[b]The 2024 Honda Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For more information, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at iihs.org. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a registered trademark of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
[c]The 2025 Honda Pilot received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at nhtsa.gov. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a part of the US Department of Transportation.
