The Honda Pilot has been a reliable constant in its segment
The Honda Pilot is the Japanese automaker’s three-row SUV offering, and it has been a popular pick among consumers since its inception in 2003. However, the Pilot has gotten larger, wider, and better equipped over the past 22 years of its existence, making it a stalwart in the burgeoning SUV segment. For the 2025 model year, there are six different trim levels to choose from, which makes shopping for one easy.
Every Pilot trim level comes equipped with a 285-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine that’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The setup is good for up to 22 mpg combined and comes in either front-drive or all-wheel-drive form.
When it comes to features, the Honda Pilot’s equipment depends on the trim level, but they are all adequately packed for their price tags. For example, the base Pilot Sport comes equipped with amenities like heated seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a seven-speaker audio system, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a host of safety systems via the Honda Sensing suite.
From there, stepping up to higher trim levels unlocks more luxurious features like leather-trimmed seats, a Bose premium audio system, a 10.2-inch driver information interface, ventilated seats, and an onboard navigation system. For those who need a little more off-road prowess, the Pilot TrailSport is the one to pick.
Honda
It comes equipped with an off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, and a TrailWatch camera system, which shows the sides of the car as well as a top-down view for easier and safer rock crawling. The 2025 Honda Pilot starts at $40,200 and tops out at $54,590 for the top-trim Black Edition. However, other competitors can offer a similar value.
Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander can be considered the Pilot’s main competitor. It’s a little cheaper than the Pilot, with a starting price of $39,820, and has a similar feature set. Interestingly, instead of being powered by a V6, the Highlander is powered by a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
With its smaller engine, the Highlander tops the Pilot in combined fuel economy, with a rating of 25 mpg. However, it has the same maximum towing capacity as the Pilot, with a 5,000-pound rating, which is impressive for such a small engine. The Highlander is also available in front-drive or all-wheel-drive.
Toyota
Utility aside, the 2025 Highlander is similarly equipped with features like an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 +, a suite of driver-assist features. Depending on the trim level chosen, higher trim levels reveal more luxuries like heated/ventilated seats, leather upholstery, a more premium sound system, and a sport-tuned suspension. Finally, the Toyota Highlander tops out at $52,225, which is still a little cheaper than the Pilot.
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan is also known for producing some of the most value-driven vehicles in the market, and the Pathfinder is no exception. It starts at $37,070, which is a couple thousand less than the Honda Pilot, and is similarly equipped and has more towing power. Under the hood of every Pathfinder is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque, which is good for up to 6,000 pounds of towing when it’s properly equipped.
Nissan
It can also get up to 23 mpg in combined driving situations. Otherwise, the Pathfinder is handsomely styled and comes standard with features like heated front seats, cloth upholstery, an eight-inch display with Apple CarPlay and a six-speaker audio system, and Nissan’s Safety Shield 360.
Going up the trim-level ladder opens up more premium features like an Intelligent Around View Monitor with Off-Road Mode, a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system, leather seats, a panoramic moonroof, climate-controlled front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Opting for the highest Platinum trim level will set you back $51,810, which is still cheaper than the Honda Pilot.
Nissan
Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 adds some sportiness and sophistication to the three-SUV mix. Inside, the CX-90 has a well-crafted and minimalistic interior that looks like it is supposed to be in a class above. Shoppers may wonder how this SUV can start at only $38,045, especially since it’s powered by a turbocharged 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine that generates 280 horsepower and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Mazda
Like the Pilot, the CX-90 can also seat up to eight passengers, but it comes standard with leather upholstery, Bluetooth, smartphone integration, and Mazda’s i-Activesense safety technology.
As with the other SUVs on this list, stepping up to higher trim levels allows for more features like a 360-degree monitor, a head-up display, captain’s chairs, and Nappa leather upholstery. However, those features can cost a pretty penny as the Mazda CX-90 tops out $56,650, which is a couple thousand more than the top-trim Pilot.
Mazda
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia adds a little ruggedness to the mix with its bold styling and utilitarian interior. It starts at a higher price than the Honda Pilot, $44,295, but it’s only available in three different trim levels. Like the Highlander, the Acadia is only available with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and is available in front-drive or all-wheel drive. The Acadia also comes standard with a tow hitch and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. However, the Acadia has the class beat when it comes to its interior features, as it comes with a large 15-inch infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration, a Bose audio system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
It also seats up to eight passengers in comfort with its CoreTrec seat trim, power-adjustable seats, and heated steering wheel. The higher Elevation and Denali trim levels come with more luxurious amenities. Other tech features include remote start and a host of driver-assist and passive safety features. When it’s all said and done, the top-trim GMC Acadia Denali is priced at $55,295, which is more than what the Honda Pilot costs, but it comes better equipped per trim level.
Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas adds some German flair to the segment with its elegant styling and well-buttoned interior. It starts at $38,200, which is cheaper than the Pilot. However, instead of a V6, the Atlas is only powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It’s surprisingly able to tow up to 5,000 pounds and achieves up to 25 mpg combined.
Volkswagen
Power aside, the Volkswagen Atlas comes well-equipped with a plush interior that boasts a bevy of tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless phone charging, a six-speaker sound system, and a multitude of USB ports. Unlike the other entries in the segment, the Atlas can only seat up to seven passengers, but it comes stacked with features in the higher trim levels.
The top-trim Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium R-Line tops out at $53,205, which is in the middle of the pack in terms of pricing and a little cheaper than the top-of-the-line Honda Pilot.
Volkswagen
Final Thoughts
The Honda Pilot may be a staple in the three-row SUV segment, but its rivals all have their own sense of personality and well-stacked feature sets to bring to the table. The Volkswagen Atlas and Mazda CX-90 offer a more sophisticated and sporty driving experience, while the GMC Acadia, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander bring plenty of value for a lower price than the Honda Pilot. Which one of these SUVs would you want on your driveway?