2025 Honda Pilot: What to Expect from the Redesigned Mid-Size SUV – The Honda Pilot is one of the most popular mid-size SUVs, offering a spacious and comfortable interior, reliable performance, and a family-friendly design. The current generation of the Pilot debuted in 2016 and received a facelift in 2019, but it is due for a significant overhaul in 2025. Here is what we know about the 2025 Honda Pilot redesign based on the latest rumors, leaks, and official announcements.
What’s New for 2025
The outside of the 2025 Honda Pilot will be sleek and contemporary, with a streamlined silhouette, LED headlights, and a unique front grille. The new Pilot will likely borrow some design cues from the Honda Passport, a smaller and sportier version of the Pilot. The new Pilot will also have three rows of seating, with room for up to eight passengers, and optional captain’s chairs in the second row. The cabin will be designed for comfort and convenience, with available leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a spacious layout.
The 2025 Honda Pilot will also have advanced infotainment and safety features, including a touchscreen display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium sound system. The new Pilot will also offer the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and collision mitigation braking.
Design: Exterior and Interior
The exterior design of the 2025 Honda Pilot will be more modern and sleek than the current model, which has a boxy and conservative appearance. The new Pilot will have a more aggressive front fascia, with a larger and bolder grille incorporating the Honda logo. With LED daytime running lights and turn signals, the headlights will have a sharper, more angular appearance. The side profile will be more aerodynamic and streamlined, with sculpted lines and curves. The rear end will also be updated with new taillights, a redesigned bumper, and a dual exhaust system.
The interior design of the 2025 Honda Pilot will be more refined and luxurious than the current model, which has a simple and functional layout. The new Pilot will have a more sophisticated dashboard, with a larger and higher-mounted touchscreen display that will serve as the centerpiece of the infotainment system. The instrument cluster will also be digitalized, with a customizable display that shows various information and settings. The center console will be more ergonomic and user-friendly, with physical controls for the climate system and other features. The steering wheel will also be redesigned, with more buttons and switches for easy access.
The 2025 Honda Pilot will offer three rows of seating, with ample space for up to eight passengers. The second row will have a bench seat as standard, but buyers can opt for captain’s chairs that provide more comfort and easier access to the third row. The third row will also be spacious enough for adults, with decent legroom and headroom. The cargo space will also be generous, with up to 83.9 cubic feet of volume when both rear rows are folded down.
The 2025 Honda Pilot will also offer options for upholstery and trim materials, such as cloth, leather, or synthetic leather. The color choices will include black, gray, beige, or brown. The new Pilot will also have ambient lighting, wood accents, chrome details, and other touches that enhance the cabin’s ambiance.
Powertrain
The 3.5-liter V6 engine, which generates 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, is anticipated to remain the same in the 2025 Honda Pilot. With an all-wheel-drive system, this engine may be coupled to an automated transmission with nine or ten ratios, supplying power to the front or all four wheels. With front-wheel drive, the Pilot’s V6 engine provides ample acceleration and passing power, and its fuel economy is decent, achieving 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate.
However, some rumors suggest that the 2025 Honda Pilot might also offer a hybrid or plug-in option to boost its efficiency and performance. The Honda Accord Hybrid and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, which combine a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery pack, are two examples of hybrid systems that might be used in this choice. This system could provide more than 200 horsepower and more than 40 mpg combined for the hybrid models.
Release Date and Price
The 2025 Honda Pilot is expected to debut in late 2024 or early 2025 as a 2025 model year. The official release date and price have yet to be announced, but we can estimate them based on the current model and the competition. The base LX trim of the 2021 Honda Pilot costs $32,550, while the top-of-the-line Black Edition trim costs $49,920. The 2025 Honda Pilot will likely have a similar price range, with a slight increase to account for inflation and new features. If offered, the hybrid or plug-in hybrid models will cost more than the regular models by several thousand dollars.
The 2025 Honda Pilot will face stiff competition from other mid-size SUVs in the market, such as the Toyota Highlander, the Ford Explorer, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia Telluride, and the Subaru Ascent. These rivals offer features, performance, and pricing similar to the Pilot, so buyers must compare them carefully and decide which suits their needs and preferences best.