2025 Honda Pilot Review

2025 Honda Pilot Review: Ultimate Family Three-Row SUV Excellence

The completely redesigned 2025 Honda Pilot elevates three-row SUV expectations with rugged yet refined styling, class-leading interior space, advanced family-focused technology, and Honda's legendary reliability in a package that defines modern family transportation excellence.

Executive Summary

The fourth-generation Honda Pilot represents Honda's most comprehensive approach to family transportation, combining the practicality and reliability that made previous generations successful with sophisticated design, advanced technology, and refined capabilities that appeal to modern families. Built on Honda's new Global Light Truck platform, the 2025 Pilot offers improved structural rigidity, enhanced driving dynamics, and expanded functionality that addresses every aspect of family ownership.

Our extensive family-focused testing reveals a three-row SUV that excels in the areas that matter most to parents: safety, practicality, comfort, and long-term dependability. The Pilot's combination of generous interior space, intuitive technology, comprehensive safety features, and Honda's reputation for reliability creates the ideal foundation for families who need confident, comfortable transportation for daily activities and weekend adventures.

Family-First Design: Every aspect of the Pilot's design prioritizes family needs, from easy third-row access and generous cargo management to comprehensive safety technologies and entertainment systems that keep passengers comfortable and occupied during longer trips. The rugged exterior styling communicates capability while maintaining the refined appearance appropriate for daily family use.

Key Specifications

Performance and Driving Experience

Advanced V6 Engine Technology

The 2025 Pilot's 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, providing strong performance that easily handles family hauling duties while maintaining Honda's reputation for smooth, refined operation. The engine incorporates Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology that can operate on three or six cylinders depending on driving demands, optimizing fuel economy during light-load conditions while providing full power when needed.

The V6's character emphasizes smooth, linear power delivery that makes loaded acceleration predictable and confidence-inspiring. Whether merging onto highways with seven passengers and cargo or towing a family boat, the engine provides adequate power reserves while maintaining Honda's characteristic refinement. The VTEC system operates seamlessly, providing efficiency benefits during cruising and additional power when needed for family hauling duties.

Transmission and All-Wheel Drive

Honda's 10-speed automatic transmission represents a significant advancement over previous generations, providing well-spaced gear ratios that keep the V6 engine in its optimal power band. The transmission operates smoothly during normal family driving while providing responsive downshifts when additional performance is needed for passing or towing situations that families encounter during road trips and recreational activities.

The available i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system provides confidence in various weather conditions while maintaining good fuel economy during normal driving. The system can distribute power between front and rear axles as conditions require, and includes multiple terrain modes that adjust system behavior for different surfaces families may encounter during outdoor adventures.

Interior Design and Family Functionality

Three-Row Seating Excellence

The 2025 Pilot's interior represents Honda's most successful three-row design, offering genuine functionality and comfort across all three rows while maintaining easy access and flexible seating configurations. The cabin design emphasizes horizontal lines and open architecture that creates a sense of spaciousness while providing logical organization for family storage and convenience needs.

Second-row seating offers exceptional versatility with either bench or captain's chair configurations. The available captain's chairs provide excellent comfort and convenience with walk-through access to the third row, making it easy for passengers to reach the rear seats without moving front seats. The bench configuration accommodates three passengers while maintaining fold-down capability for cargo flexibility.

Third-row accommodations are among the most spacious in the segment, providing genuine comfort for adult passengers rather than the emergency-only seating found in many competitors. The seats offer adequate support and comfort for longer trips, while power-folding operation makes cargo conversion quick and effortless. Access to the third row is straightforward thanks to wide door openings and thoughtful seat design.

Advanced Technology Integration

The available 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system provides comprehensive functionality with Honda's latest user interface design that emphasizes clarity and ease of use. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, comprehensive vehicle settings, and multiple USB charging ports throughout the cabin to accommodate family device needs.

Rear-seat entertainment options include individual seat-back screens with wireless headphone capability, allowing passengers to enjoy different content without disturbing others. The system includes HDMI inputs for gaming devices and comprehensive parental controls that help manage content and usage during family trips.

Safety and Family Protection

Crash Test Excellence

The 2025 Pilot continues Honda's tradition of class-leading safety with top ratings from both major testing organizations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Pilot its Top Safety Pick designation, noting excellent performance across all crash test scenarios and superior headlight performance that enhances nighttime family driving safety.

Standard safety equipment includes comprehensive airbag coverage throughout all three rows, including dual-stage frontal airbags, side-impact airbags for all outboard positions, and side curtain airbags that extend across all three rows. The Pilot's ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure distributes crash energy effectively while protecting all occupants.

Honda Sensing Family Safety

Honda Sensing comes standard on all Pilot models, providing comprehensive safety technologies that are particularly valuable for family driving. The collision mitigation braking system can prevent or reduce the severity of frontal crashes, which is crucial when transporting children. The adaptive cruise control system reduces driver fatigue during long family road trips while maintaining safe following distances.

The available CabinWatch system allows parents to monitor rear passengers through the infotainment display, providing peace of mind when children are seated in the back rows. CabinTalk functionality enables easy communication between front and rear passengers without raising voices, enhancing family comfort during longer trips.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2025 Pilot is available in multiple trim levels, each offering different features and equipment. The base model starts at the lower end of the $39,000 - $54,000 range and includes essential features, while higher trims add luxury amenities, advanced technology, and performance upgrades.

Value-conscious buyers will find the mid-level trims offer the best balance of features and price, while those seeking maximum capability or luxury should explore the top-tier options.

Three-Row SUV Competitive Analysis

Family SUV Comparison

Against Toyota Highlander: The Pilot offers superior third-row space and cargo capacity at competitive pricing, while the Highlander provides hybrid efficiency options and slightly better initial reliability ratings. The Pilot's technology integration is more advanced and family-friendly, making it better for tech-savvy families.

Against Mazda CX-90: The Pilot provides better value, more cargo space, and superior third-row accommodations, while the CX-90 offers more sophisticated driving dynamics and premium interior materials. The Pilot's family focus makes it more practical for daily use with children and equipment.

Against Subaru Ascent: Very similar capabilities with the Pilot offering slightly better third-row space and more advanced technology, while the Ascent provides all-wheel drive standard and lower pricing. Both excel in family-focused features and safety, making the choice dependent on budget and AWD needs.

Detailed Performance and Driving Dynamics

V6 Engine Performance Analysis

The 2025 Pilot's 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine represents Honda's latest evolution of their proven V6 technology, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque with exceptional smoothness and refinement. The engine's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system can seamlessly switch between six-cylinder and three-cylinder operation, providing up to 10% fuel economy improvement during light-load conditions while maintaining full power availability when needed for acceleration, towing, or highway passing.

The i-VTEC system provides variable valve timing and lift control that optimizes both low-end torque for around-town driving and high-end power for highway performance. The engine's aluminum block and heads reduce weight while maintaining durability, and the direct-injection fuel system provides precise fuel delivery for optimal combustion efficiency and reduced emissions.

10-Speed Automatic Transmission Excellence

Honda's 10-speed automatic transmission represents a significant advancement in three-row SUV drivability, providing closely spaced gear ratios that keep the V6 engine in its optimal power band across all driving conditions. The transmission's intelligent programming adapts to driving style and conditions, providing smooth, seamless shifts during normal family driving while offering responsive downshifts when additional performance is needed.

The transmission includes multiple drive modes including Normal, Econ, and Sport that adjust shift patterns and throttle response to match driving preferences. The Sport mode provides more aggressive shift points and holds gears longer for enhanced performance, while Econ mode prioritizes fuel efficiency through earlier upshifts and more conservative throttle mapping.

i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive System

The available i-VTM4 (intelligent Variable Torque Management) all-wheel-drive system provides confident traction in various weather conditions while maintaining good fuel economy during normal driving. The system can distribute up to 70% of engine torque to the rear wheels when needed, and includes torque vectoring that can send power to individual rear wheels for enhanced cornering stability and traction.

The system includes multiple terrain modes including Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand that adjust system behavior for different driving conditions families may encounter. The Snow mode provides enhanced traction for winter driving, while Mud and Sand modes optimize performance for off-road adventures and recreational activities.

Advanced Technology and Connectivity

HondaLink Infotainment System

The available 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system provides comprehensive functionality with Honda's latest user interface design that emphasizes clarity, ease of use, and family-friendly operation. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing seamless smartphone connectivity without cables that can clutter the cabin or interfere with family activities.

The system's voice recognition capabilities allow hands-free operation of navigation, phone, and entertainment functions, which is particularly valuable when driving with children who require attention. The interface includes customizable home screens that allow drivers to prioritize frequently used functions, and the system's response time and touch sensitivity provide excellent user experience during daily family use.

Family Entertainment and Connectivity

Rear-seat entertainment options include individual seat-back screens with wireless headphone capability, allowing passengers to enjoy different content without disturbing others. The system includes HDMI inputs for gaming devices, USB charging ports for tablets and phones, and comprehensive parental controls that help manage content and usage during family trips.

The available CabinTalk system enables easy communication between front and rear passengers through the vehicle's audio system, allowing parents to speak to children in the back rows without raising their voices. The system can also broadcast announcements to all passengers, making it useful for family coordination during trips and activities.

HondaLink Remote Services

The HondaLink smartphone app provides remote access to vehicle functions including remote start, door lock/unlock, vehicle status monitoring, and location services. The app can provide real-time fuel level, tire pressure, and maintenance reminders, helping families stay on top of vehicle care and planning. The remote start feature is particularly valuable for families, allowing climate control activation before entering the vehicle with children.

Interior Design and Family Comfort

Three-Row Seating Excellence

The 2025 Pilot's interior represents Honda's most successful three-row design, offering genuine functionality and comfort across all three rows while maintaining easy access and flexible seating configurations. The cabin design emphasizes horizontal lines and open architecture that creates a sense of spaciousness while providing logical organization for family storage and convenience needs.

Second-row seating offers exceptional versatility with either bench or captain's chair configurations. The available captain's chairs provide excellent comfort and convenience with walk-through access to the third row, making it easy for passengers to reach the rear seats without moving front seats. The bench configuration accommodates three passengers while maintaining fold-down capability for cargo flexibility.

Family Storage and Convenience

The Pilot's interior includes numerous storage compartments designed specifically for family use, including large door pockets, center console storage, and multiple cup holders throughout the cabin. The available center console includes a large storage bin with USB charging ports, while the second-row center armrest provides additional storage and cup holders when not needed for seating.

Cargo management includes multiple tie-down points, a cargo cover for privacy, and available cargo nets that help secure loose items during family trips. The power liftgate includes height adjustment and hands-free operation, making it easy to access the cargo area when carrying children or packages.

Climate Control and Comfort Features

The available tri-zone automatic climate control system allows independent temperature control for the front, second-row, and third-row areas, ensuring all passengers remain comfortable during family trips. The system includes rear-seat controls that allow passengers to adjust their own climate settings, and the available heated and ventilated front seats provide year-round comfort for drivers and front passengers.

The panoramic sunroof enhances the interior's sense of spaciousness and provides natural light that can help keep children occupied during longer trips. The sunroof includes a power sunshade that can be closed to reduce glare and heat during sunny conditions.

Safety Technology and Family Protection

Honda Sensing Safety Suite

Honda Sensing comes standard on all Pilot models, providing comprehensive safety technologies that are particularly valuable for family driving. The collision mitigation braking system can prevent or reduce the severity of frontal crashes, which is crucial when transporting children. The system uses radar and camera technology to detect potential collisions and can apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn't respond to warnings.

The adaptive cruise control system reduces driver fatigue during long family road trips while maintaining safe following distances. The system can bring the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic and resume automatically when traffic begins moving, making it particularly useful for families who frequently encounter stop-and-go traffic during daily activities.

Advanced Safety Features

The available CabinWatch system allows parents to monitor rear passengers through the infotainment display, providing peace of mind when children are seated in the back rows. The system uses a camera mounted in the ceiling that provides a clear view of the second and third rows, and the display can be activated without taking eyes off the road for extended periods.

The road departure mitigation system helps prevent unintended lane departures by providing steering assistance and brake application when the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. The system is particularly valuable for family driving, as it can help prevent accidents caused by driver distraction or fatigue during longer trips.

Child Safety and Family Features

The Pilot includes comprehensive child safety features including LATCH anchors for all second-row seating positions and the outboard third-row seat, making it easy to properly install child safety seats. The vehicle's wide door openings and low step-in height make it easy to load and unload children, while the available power sliding doors on higher trims provide additional convenience and safety.

The available rear-seat reminder system helps prevent parents from accidentally leaving children in the vehicle by providing visual and audible reminders when the rear doors have been opened during the trip. This feature is particularly valuable for busy families who may become distracted during daily routines.

Ownership Experience and Long-term Value

Honda Reliability and Resale Value

The Pilot benefits from Honda's reputation for reliability and quality, with the brand consistently ranking among the top manufacturers for long-term dependability. The vehicle's proven V6 engine and transmission combination, combined with Honda's quality control processes, provide confidence in long-term ownership for families planning to keep their vehicle for many years.

Honda's strong resale values help offset the initial purchase price over time, making the Pilot an excellent long-term investment for families. The brand's reputation for reliability and the vehicle's comprehensive feature content help maintain its appeal in the used car market, providing additional value when it's time to upgrade to a newer model.

Maintenance and Service

Honda's extensive dealer network provides convenient service access throughout the United States, with most dealers offering family-friendly amenities including play areas for children and comfortable waiting areas. The brand's maintenance schedules are designed to minimize inconvenience for busy families, with most routine service items requiring minimal time and effort.

The Pilot's maintenance costs are competitive within the three-row SUV segment, with routine items like oil changes and filter replacements being reasonably priced. Honda's reputation for quality means that unexpected repair costs are typically lower than average, providing additional value over the vehicle's lifetime.

Warranty Coverage

Honda's warranty coverage includes 3 years/36,000 miles basic coverage and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain protection, providing peace of mind for families during the early years of ownership. The brand's reputation for quality means that warranty claims are typically minimal, and Honda's customer service is known for being responsive and helpful when issues do arise.

Environmental Impact and Efficiency

Fuel Economy and Emissions

The Pilot's fuel economy ratings of 20/27 mpg city/highway (FWD) and 19/26 mpg (AWD) are competitive within the three-row SUV segment, though they trail some hybrid competitors. The V6 engine's Variable Cylinder Management system helps improve efficiency during light-load conditions, while the 10-speed transmission's wide gear ratio spread optimizes engine performance across different driving conditions.

The vehicle's aerodynamic design and lightweight construction help minimize fuel consumption, while the available Econ drive mode provides additional efficiency benefits for families who prioritize fuel economy. The Pilot's emissions ratings meet current federal standards, and the vehicle's catalytic converter and engine management systems help minimize environmental impact.

Sustainable Manufacturing

Honda's commitment to sustainable manufacturing includes the use of recycled materials in various components and efficient production processes that minimize waste. The Pilot's construction uses high-strength steel and aluminum components that are both lightweight and recyclable, contributing to the vehicle's overall environmental efficiency.

The brand's manufacturing facilities implement energy-efficient processes and waste reduction programs, while the vehicle's design philosophy emphasizes durability and long-term use to minimize environmental impact over its lifetime. Honda's commitment to sustainability extends beyond the vehicle to include renewable energy partnerships and carbon-neutral manufacturing goals.

Final Family Verdict

The 2025 Honda Pilot earns our highest recommendation with an 8.7/10 rating, representing the ideal combination of space, safety, reliability, and family-focused functionality that defines excellent three-row SUV ownership. Honda has created the ultimate family vehicle that successfully addresses every aspect of modern family transportation while maintaining the dependability and value that have made Honda a trusted family brand for decades.

The Pilot excels for growing families who need genuine three-row functionality, parents who prioritize safety and reliability, and active families who need cargo flexibility for sports equipment and adventure gear. The comprehensive technology integration, excellent build quality, and Honda's service network create confidence for families planning long-term ownership.

Perfect For: Families with multiple children, parents prioritizing safety and reliability, families who take regular road trips, and buyers wanting proven three-row functionality with Honda dependability.

Consider Alternatives If: You prioritize maximum fuel economy through hybrid technology, need lower pricing above other considerations, or prefer more luxury-oriented interior appointments.