AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8.0/10
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Safety10.0/10
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PRACTICALITY9.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS10.0/10
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FEATURES8.0/10
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POWER7.0/10
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COMFORT8.0/10
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DRIVING FEEL7.0/10
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FUEL ECONOMY6.5/10
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VALUE6.5/10
When it comes to three-row SUVs, shoppers are spoiled for choice.
It’s a far cry from when the Honda Pilot debuted in 2002 to a much less crowded field of competitors. Redesigned for the 2023 model year, the Pilot is bigger and more rugged than ever, but it still retains much of what made it a popular family vehicle. The 2025 Honda Pilot soldiers on unchanged except for the new Black Edition trim tested here that’s back in the lineup after a two-year absence.
Styling 8/10
The Pilot has shed its rounded and streamlined body panels for a more rugged and chunky look. The upright grille and blocky design are more truck-like, but the Pilot is also a bit bigger than before. While the Trail Sport trim gets skid plates, a raised ride height, and all-terrain tires, the range-topping Black Edition trades all that for dark exterior accents and red stitching inside.
Honda is on a high with its new interior design language that debuted on the current Civic. That means a clear focus on ergonomics, with big buttons, tactile knobs, and a clean and clutter-free look overall. The low cowl height also makes for excellent forward visibility.
Practicality 9/10
The three-row segment is all about practicality, and the Pilot scores strongly here with generously sized cup holders, including in the third row, a handy shelf above the glove box, and numerous pockets on the doors.
The second-row seats can slide fore and aft and recline, and the third row is spacious enough for adults, though it would be better suited to children. With all three rows in place, there’s 635 L of space left over for stuff, which is more than what’s inside the Kia Telluride, one of the Pilot’s main competitors. Fold the third row and the cargo space expands to 1,702 L.
EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims get a removable middle seat in the second row that can be stored under the floor in the cargo area. This allows easier access to the third row or space to store long items inside.
User-Friendliness 10/10
Another area where this Pilot excels is its ease of use. From the simple dash layout to the physical buttons and knobs for important functions like climate controls, it’s the type of interior that you’ll get familiar with in minutes. Even the infotainment, which some have described as dated, is straightforward and user-friendly. Its muted colour palette and simple tile icon layout have been criticized as being less advanced than competitor systems, but the simplicity of the interface won’t feel outdated as trends change.
Accessing the third row can be done with the push of a button, and getting back there through the generously sized opening is easy even for adults.
Comfort 8/10
With new front seats designed to reduce fatigue during long drives and more space in the second- and third rows, the Pilot is a very comfortable conveyance for a family. It can seat as many as eight, depending on configuration, and the suspension absorbs broken and rough roads while also delivering a stable ride that doesn’t jostle occupants about.
Features 8/10
As the most expensive version of the Pilot, the Black Edition tested here builds on the Touring with gloss-black wheels and exterior trim (roof rails, mirror caps, badges, and more). Inside, there’s red stitching and detailing on the seats, steering wheel, and door panels, and more Black Edition logos on the front seats and floor mats.
The infotainment system runs on a nine-inch screen and has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it’s not the latest Google-based system Honda recently introduced in the Accord. There are USB ports in every row, and the Touring and Black Edition trims get heated and ventilated front seats and heated seats in the second row.
Safety 10/10
The Pilot gets Honda’s full suite of driver-assist technology, including collision mitigation braking, road and lane departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Pilot is also a Top Safety Pick+ winner — the highest accolade it can receive for crashworthiness from the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Power: 7/10
A 3.5L V6 is the sole engine choice. It produces 285 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, which puts it about mid-pack amongst competitors. With crisp throttle response and a nice sound under acceleration, it’s also refined and eager to put its power down. Competitors like the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander offer more powerful and hybridized powertrains, but the Pilot’s V6 is relatively efficient and handles daily family hauling duty with little issue.
Driving Feel: 7/10
The Pilot handles as well as expected for a three-row SUV. The suspension remains composed and well-controlled through the corners, and the steering is precise if slightly overboosted. A sport driving mode adds some heft to the helm and remaps the throttle mapping and transmission shift points for a sportier feel. The overall theme here is comfort and refinement, which is exactly what it should be in this class.
Fuel Economy 6.5/10
The Honda Pilot doesn’t have a hybrid option like its CR-V sibling, or rivals like the Toyota Grand Highlander, but the V6 uses direct injection and cylinder deactivation to cut fuel consumption and emissions. It’s rated to consume 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving conditions, but during this test the indicated average came in at 10.3 L/100 km. Even so, the Grand Highlander Hybrid is rated to burn just 7.0L/100 km combined.
Value 6.5/10
Like many Honda products today, you’ll pay a premium for the Pilot, which has a starting price of $55,350 before tax. The fully loaded Black Edition tested here rings in at $67,100 including its non-negotiable freight charge of $2,000, making it more expensive than the top trims of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max costs slightly more but has more power and burns less gas.
The Verdict
The Honda Pilot has been a contender in the three-row segment for more than two decades and it shows. It’s a thoroughly refined SUV with a great powertrain and good handling for something so big. Its biggest draw is its cabin, which boasts excellent fit and finish and has lots of thoughtful storage and versatile seating options. The lack of a hybrid powertrain and its premium price tag, however, keep it short of being our top pick in this highly competitive segment.
| Engine Displacement | 3.5L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | V6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 12.7 / 9.4 / 11.2 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 793 / 1,685 / 3,166 L behind 3rd/2nd/1st |
| Model Tested | 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition |
| Base Price | $65,100 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,000 |
| Price as Tested | $67,200 |
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Optional Equipment
None
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