Vehicles produced by Honda are generally seen as regular traffic. This is particularly true of their SUV lineup, which focuses on value and practicality more than anything else. However, in their SUV stable, there is one option which stands out as having a ceiling for luxury that could rival the likes of Lexus.
While the base model of this SUV may not be anything to write home about, the top trims make use of high-quality materials, forward-thinking tech features, and comfortable seating. If you’re looking for a genuine alternative to entry-level luxury SUVs, this option has the potential to win you over.
We break down what makes this Honda SUV so special in the current market. We look at how much it costs, what standard features it offers, and what level of luxury you can expect when you climb behind the wheel. We also assess just how well it stacks up against some other options in its segment.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed.
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The Honda Pilot Has An Impressively High Ceiling For Luxury
Honda currently has a fantastic lineup of SUVs, with each of their offerings competing at the top of their respective segments. If we’re looking for the Honda SUV that offers the most amount of luxury, however, there is one clear choice. The three-row Honda Pilot is a fantastic option in the mid-size segment and, when equipped right, it can offer levels of comfort that will surprise you.
2025 Honda Pilot Trims
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
Sport |
$40,200 |
|
EX-L |
$43,500 |
|
Touring |
$47,500 |
|
TrailSport |
$49,400 |
|
Elite |
$53,080 |
|
Black Edition |
$54,580 |
The Pilot starts off a little more expensive than some of its direct rivals in the mid-size segment, sitting just above the $40,000 mark while others fall below it. However, Honda’s SUV comes pretty well-equipped from the word go, meaning that you don’t have to climb the trim ladder too much to find the best value. In fact, if you’re looking for the trim that offers the best bang-for-your-buck, the EX-L is the best place to look, with a bigger infotainment screen, wireless connectivity, and a power operated tailgate.
What we’re after, though, is luxury. In that regard, the range-topping Black Edition is the crème de la crème and has the equipment to make you feel like you’re driving something a lot more expensive. It may not have the badge prestige of a Lexus or an Acura, but it is certainly just as comfortable.
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A Comfortable Cabin Awaits You In The Honda Pilot Black Edition
Interior shot of the dashboard in a 2023 Honda Pilot Elite
The Pilot’s cabin is a pretty nice place to be, regardless of which model you opt for, with thoughtful interior design that mixes utility with technology. While the lower trims are likely to keep most people satisfied, those looking for top quality materials and features designed to cushion your commute will easily find themselves lured in by the Black Edition.
Design And Comfort
|
Front Row Headroom |
39.1 Inches |
|
Front Row Legroom |
41 Inches |
|
Second Row Headroom |
39.2 Inches |
|
Second Row Legroom |
40.8 Inches |
|
Third Row Headroom |
39.3 Inches |
|
Third Row Legroom |
32.5 Inches |
|
Cargo Capacity (Behind Second Row) |
48.5 Cubic Feet |
When you look at the Black Edition, you’re easily able to see what sets it apart from other Pilots. The emblems on the front and back have been blacked out, and you’ll find other trim elements are also black. This trim also sits on unique 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels fitted with all-season tires.
Open the door and you’ll find that just about every surface is covered in soft-touch materials, with the seats upholstered in Black Edition leather. Front seats are both heated and ventilated, with the second row captain’s chairs also getting heating. Front seats are also power adjustable, and you can save specific seat settings to your profile so that all you have to do is push a button when you climb in.
Infotainment And Technology
Honda doesn’t overly clutter the dashboard, yet it still manages to offer you a number of physical controls. This is something a lot of people are beginning to value, with the over reliance on touch controls becoming a burden in some modern cars. While base models get a small seven-inch infotainment screen, the Black Edition comes fitted with a nine-inch system instead. Connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in this model is also wireless.
Alongside the infotainment system, Black Edition models also come equipped with a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. It also gets an upgraded 12 speaker Bose audio system, while most other models get a seven speaker system instead. Other desirable features include a wireless phone charging pad, smart entry with auto-lock when you walk away, and a multi-view camera system with Honda’s TrailWatch technology.
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The Pilot Is Powered By A Similar V-6 To The One Found In The Acura MDX
Side shot of a 2023 Honda Pilot Elite towing a trailer up a rocky hill
If performance is something that is important to you, which we assume it is, then the beating heart of the Pilot will be of interest to you. If you’re trying to decide whether the Pilot can really live up to other luxury options, its V-6 will certainly help make a case for the SUV. This is because it delivers performance that pretty closely matches its luxury cousin over at Acura.
Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
3.5-Liter Naturally Aspirated V-6 |
|
Transmission |
10-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
285 HP |
|
Torque |
262 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
FWD or AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
6.9 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
111 MPH |
The Honda Pilot’s 3.5-liter V-6 is only five horsepower shy of the MDX’s output, meaning they both offer pretty similar levels of performance. While it doesn’t make the Pilot quick, it has enough pep to keep up with traffic wherever it goes. The engine pairs with a pretty smooth shifting 10-speed automatic on every model, and the Black Edition comes with all-wheel drive as standard. Front-wheel drive models are rated to tow up to 3,500 ponuds, but all-wheel drive models can handle up to 5,000 pounds.
On the road, the Pilot is pretty enjoyable to drive. Steering is smooth and responsive and its ride quality puts it among the best in its class. Honda’s SUV feels refined and smooth in just about every way when kept on the tarmac. If you’re looking for something that can handle the tough stuff, the TrailSport model of the Pilot features some genuine off-road chops.
Fuel Economy
|
Model |
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
|
FWD |
19 MPG |
27 MPG |
22 MPG |
|
AWD |
19 MPG |
25 MPG |
21 MPG |
|
AWD TrailSport |
18 MPG |
23 MPG |
20 MPG |
According to testing done by the EPA, the Pilot offers pretty competitive fuel efficiency for its class. It doesn’t stand out as being one of the best performers, but it doesn’t fall behind the pack either. Our Black Edition model will return fuel economy figures slightly worse than models equipped with front-wheel drive, mostly noticable if you do a lot of highway driving. The TrailSport model, fitted with beefier all-terrain tires, drops efficiency even further.
Honda’s Pilot Struggles To Keep Up In A Hyper Competitive Segment
Front 3/4 shot of a red 2023 Honda Pilot Elite driving in the rain
When it comes to three-row, mid-size SUVs, we are currently spoiled for choice. Just about every automaker is taking their best crack at the segment, sometimes with more than one model. While the Honda Pilot is certainly good, and the Black Edition offers genuine levels of luxury, there are a handful of competitors that just offer more for a lot less money.
Top Competitors In The Segment
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
Kia Telluride |
$36,390 |
|
Toyota Grand Highlander |
$43,630 |
|
Mazda CX-90 |
$37,845 |
|
Ford Bronco |
$39,630 |
Honda’s Pilot goes up against some heavy hitters in its segment. If practicality and value is what you’re after then the Kia Telluride and Grand Highlander may sway you. Kia’s three-row SUV starts thousands less than the Pilot, yet comes with very similar standard equipment. Its top tier trims are also even plusher than the Honda. While Toyota’s offering may be more expensive to start, it offers more interior space, better standard equipment, and pretty impressive fuel economy.
If you want something to compete with the Pilot off the road, the Bronco is perhaps one of the most versatile off-road vehicles on the market. It may not have three rows of seats, but it beats the Honda off the tarmac every day of the week. Luxury is what this article is about, though, and in that regard Mazda is simply king. The CX-90 is the ultimate entry-level luxury car. It features an upscale interior, packed with brilliant features and a classy layout. It even features a turbocharged inline-six, something usually reserved for the likes of BMW and Range Rover.
While the Honda Pilot is certainly capable of offering you comfort and practicality, it really struggles to find its footing in such a competitive segment.
