The 2025 Honda Pilot marks the fourth generation of this popular family SUV, and after spending considerable time with the Elite trim, it’s clear Honda has aimed for a blend of rugged appeal and refined comfort. Having recently purchased a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite, this review provides an owner’s perspective on the vehicle’s highlights and drawbacks, going beyond a typical test drive assessment.
The Positives: Where the 2025 Pilot Shines
The first impression of the 2025 Honda Pilot is its bold exterior design. Moving away from softer lines, Honda has embraced a more muscular and sporty aesthetic that arguably surpasses competitors like the Telluride and Palisade in terms of visual appeal. This design language feels both contemporary and timeless, suggesting it will age gracefully in the coming years.
Under the hood, the naturally aspirated V6 engine is a standout feature in a market increasingly dominated by turbocharging. This engine delivers confident and reliable power, especially noticeable during demanding maneuvers like quick acceleration from a standstill on inclines or overtaking on highways. The absence of turbo lag provides a more linear and predictable power delivery, contributing to a sense of control and robustness.
Alt text: 2025 Honda Pilot Elite front view, highlighting its robust and sporty design with distinctive headlights and grille.
Honda’s inclusion of Sports and Econ driving modes genuinely impacts the driving dynamics. Sports mode sharpens throttle response and shift points, offering ample power for confident overtaking even at higher speeds. While outright acceleration might not be class-leading, the V6 engine’s robust performance and distinctive engine note are more than adequate for everyday driving and spirited maneuvers.
The ride quality in the Pilot Elite is genuinely luxurious. It effectively balances smoothness and road feedback, creating a comfortable yet engaging driving experience. The V6 engine’s subtle but present rumble, while initially unfamiliar to those accustomed to four-cylinder engines, adds to the vehicle’s character and reinforces its powerful nature.
A key technological advantage is the real torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Unlike brake-based systems found in some competitors, the Pilot’s system actively distributes power across the rear wheels, enhancing handling and agility. This is particularly noticeable during sharp turns from a stop, where the torque vectoring contributes to a feeling of nimbleness that belies the vehicle’s size.
Alt text: 2025 Honda Pilot Elite interior, showcasing luxurious leather seats, spacious cabin, and ambient LED lighting.
The lighting, both exterior and interior, is exceptionally well-executed. The exterior lights provide excellent visibility, while the six interior LEDs illuminate the entire cabin brilliantly, creating a welcoming and upscale ambiance. Features like the remote starter and the effective combination of Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control significantly enhance convenience and reduce driver fatigue on long journeys, approaching near self-driving capabilities in highway scenarios.
Finally, the leather seats in the Elite trim are a true highlight, exhibiting a level of luxury often found in premium brands. The full wrapping of the seats, even at the back and bottom, is a testament to the attention to detail and elevates the overall interior experience.
The Downsides: Areas for Potential Improvement
Despite its numerous strengths, the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite is not without its drawbacks. One early concern is the brake pedal noise. Within just six weeks of ownership, the brake pedal started emitting noticeable thudding and pinging sounds when pressed or released quickly. This development is disappointing, especially considering Honda’s reputation for quality and the initially silent and smooth operation of the brakes.
Another area where the Pilot falls short compared to competitors is undercarriage protection. While models like the Atlas, Palisade, CX90, and Telluride feature comprehensive underbody covers to shield components from road debris, the Pilot lacks this protection. The exposed undercarriage reveals vulnerable cables running along the driveshaft, raising concerns about long-term durability, particularly for a vehicle marketed for its adventurous capabilities, even though the Trailsport trim offers enhanced skid plates.
Minor Annoyances: Small Issues that Could Be Refined
While not major flaws, several minor issues detract slightly from the overall ownership experience. The climate control blower fan, even at its lowest setting, is surprisingly loud and produces a noticeable droning hum. This noise is consistent across multiple new Pilots, suggesting it’s a design characteristic rather than an isolated defect.
The second-row bench seat configuration in the Elite trim presents a minor inconvenience. While the outboard seats slide for increased legroom, the detachable middle seat does not. This results in an awkward protrusion when the outer seats are slid back, requiring a slight recline of the middle seat to achieve a more uniform appearance.
Alt text: 2025 Honda Pilot second-row seats, highlighting legroom, bench seat configuration, and passenger space.
The wireless charging pad is notably slow, rendering it impractical for quick charging needs. A dedicated rapid charger is almost essential for efficient device charging on the go. The Bose sound system, while boasting impressive bass, suffers from weak mid-range frequencies. Even with adjustments, the mids remain somewhat absent, impacting the overall audio balance, although the system is adequate for bass-heavy music. Lastly, the inclusion of halogen bulbs for turn signals and backup lights feels outdated in a vehicle at this price point, especially when even some luxury brands are also cutting corners in this area.
Verdict: A Strong Contender with Minor Imperfections
Despite some minor drawbacks, the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite is a confident and capable SUV that instills a sense of safety and security for both driver and passengers. The interior design, while simple, exudes a sense of durability and timelessness. The luxuriousness of the seats, in particular, is a standout feature that elevates the perceived quality of the Elite trim beyond typical Honda offerings. Overall, the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite delivers a compelling package, earning a 9.5/10 rating, balancing its strengths in performance, design, and comfort against minor shortcomings in certain features and details. The powerful V6 engine and refined driving experience, especially after the engine break-in period, solidify its position as a top contender in the family SUV segment.
