2025 Honda Pilot Isn't Exciting, But It's Awesome

It’s been a while since the latest generation Honda Pilot was launched. Actually, it’s been two years. The updated SUV made its first foray into the sport in November 2022. Aside from a brief test drive in early 2023, we’ve pretty much forgotten about the “new” Pilot. Does that make it a machine that’s anything but forgettable?

Of course not. After a week and about 600 miles in the 2025 Pilot Black Edition, I found the SUV to be a great family truck with plenty of room for seven or eight people inside, no easy feat in the midsize SUV segment. However, my butt wasn’t exactly thrilled after three straight hours in the driver’s seat. And my wallet wasn’t thrilled with the requisite gas stops.

Every SUV segment is fiercely competitive, but the midsize crew is home to serious contenders like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee… I could go on and on. The Pilot is arguably the best-looking of the bunch, balancing its upright, chiseled shape with clean lines and pleasing proportions. Finding that design sweet spot isn’t easy, and the Black Edition adds a little more flavor with black exterior trim. Wrapped in Radiant Red Metallic paint, the Pilot looks absolutely sharp.

The Black Edition adds a touch of luxury inside, with red stitching and red interior lighting contrasting with the black leather. Like the exterior, Honda has struck a comfortable balance with its design, though some might find the layout a bit dated despite being only two years old. The 9.0-inch tablet-style touchscreen helps to make it look more like a compact car—it’s noticeably smaller than most others in this segment.

Pros: Simple, Spacious, Third row seats actually fit adults

A slightly larger screen would be easier to see and navigate, but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful as is. Honda’s software suite is very intuitive to use, voice control works well enough, and if you want to forego it for your Android or iPhone, wireless connectivity is hassle-free and nearly instantaneous.

If you can afford the extra cost, I recommend the optional 10.2-inch digital driver’s display available on higher trim levels. It adds information like navigation into your field of view, and it looks great. There’s not much to configure, just enough to add a little variety to a simple drive.

The layout is easily adjusted via the steering wheel controls, and when I talk about controls, kudos are due: Honda has provided a handful of simple knobs and buttons below the center screen for climate and seat functions. When the windshield fogs up during a sudden rainstorm, it’s handy to be able to reach out and turn a knob without taking your eyes off the road.

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It all comes down to the Pilot’s primary mission in life: to get people to their destinations safely and comfortably. That’s accomplished well enough in the first two rows of seats, but imagine my surprise when I climbed into the Pilot’s third row and found actual, usable space. Granted, I’m not a tall guy at 5-foot-6, but legroom isn’t the only thing the Honda’s rear seats excel at. There’s ample shoulder room, 59.5 inches to be exact. Enough so that three kids or two adults won’t feel cramped. If you regularly haul a lot of people, the Pilot is a good place to go.

It’s among the roomiest in the midsize segment, and there’s still 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Folding the rear seats increases the space to 60.1 cubic feet. Pulling out the removable second-row center section and flipping the seats forward increases the space to 112.1 cubic feet. The removable seats, meanwhile, stow neatly in a small under-floor storage compartment in the very back. Best of all, the various configurations are incredibly easy to set up. Pull a cord here, push a button there, and you’ve got a new washing machine.

Cons: Hard seats on long trips, had drinking issues

How does it drive? The 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 is… good enough. Step on the gas and it goes. And the 10-speed automatic doesn't complain when changing gears. Sure, you can select Sport mode and pretend to cut apexes, but the Pilot isn't supposed to be a highway star. There's plenty of power to blend into heavy highway traffic, and the suspension soaks up rough road surfaces without making anyone car sick. The drivetrain isn't flashy, or unique, or exciting. It just is, and frankly, that's how it should be for a family-focused SUV.

Despite its size, the Pilot feels as easy to drive as the Civic. Honda Sensing is packed with driver-assistance features that aren’t too intrusive or overwhelming, and it certainly helps take the stress out of long road trips. You don’t need the optional model to get it, either. Honda Sensing is standard across the board, and like the drivetrain, it simply does its job, without unnecessary drama. I recommend using the CabinTalk in-car PA system, especially if you have noisy kids or hearing-impaired grandparents. It projects your voice through the stereo to the back row; trust me when I say it’s very helpful.

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I wish the Pilot had the fuel mileage of the Civic. The official EPA ratings for the all-wheel-drive model are 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined. I averaged 22 mpg over about 600 miles, but most of that was on highways and country roads where I should be getting the best of the best. Driving around town, I usually stayed in the mid- to late teens; at 75 mph I was in the low 20s. It’s worth noting that the Pilot I got was brand new with only 150 miles on the odometer. Things could improve a bit as the engine gets some work done. But there are similar SUVs with more power that do better at the pump.

The seats are also disappointing, at least for the driver. Yes, I've praised the Pilot's interior space and comfort, but I found my backside hurting after an hour of driving. Speaking of position, the front seats are excellent and the Black Edition's 10-air vented driver's seat is very supportive. In fact, it Also supportive—the seat bottom is very stiff. It’s not something you’ll notice on a short test ride, and like the gas mileage, it may diminish over time. However, it’s stiff enough for me to question whether I could use it as an everyday vehicle.

Christopher Smith/Motor1

Even with the plusher seats, I’m not sure the Black Edition is the best fit for SUV buyers. Its $55,675 starting price puts it in a league of more powerful, more sophisticated, and frankly, slightly more characterful competitors. But the all-wheel-drive EX-L is $10,000 cheaper, and you get much of the same equipment. More importantly, you still get everything that makes this SUV a great choice for a large family—interior space, driver assists, an in-car intercom, and a strong (if fuel-hungry) engine.

While I’ve never been particularly enthusiastic about driving a Pilot, I feel relaxed and secure behind the wheel regardless of weather or traffic. When the most precious things in your life are just a few feet behind you, I can’t imagine a better feeling. Mission accomplished, Honda.