Stepping into the realm of mid-size SUVs, the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite emerges as a strong contender, blending robust design with a suite of features aimed at both comfort and performance. Having purchased the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite during Black Friday 2024, this review provides a detailed perspective on the ownership experience, highlighting the aspects that truly stand out and areas that could see improvement. For those considering a new SUV, understanding real-world Reviews For Honda Pilot models is crucial, and this exploration dives deep into the specifics of the Elite trim.
The High Points of the Honda Pilot Elite
The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite immediately impresses with its exterior styling. It presents a big, burly, and sporty aesthetic that arguably surpasses competitors like the Telluride and Palisade in design appeal. This fourth generation Pilot adopts a conservative yet distinctive design language, suggesting a timeless quality that should age gracefully.
Under the hood, the naturally aspirated V6 engine is a significant plus. Eschewing the turbo trend, this engine delivers a strong and confident performance. The power is particularly noticeable when accelerating from a standstill, even on steep inclines requiring quick maneuvers in tandem with the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.
The inclusion of Sports and Econ modes genuinely alters the driving dynamics. The Sports mode, with its heightened throttle response, provides ample quickness for overtaking at speeds around 50 mph. While outright speed isn’t the focus, the V6’s robust roar and readily available power are more than adequate for everyday driving scenarios.
Ride quality is another area where the Pilot Elite shines. The driving experience is both luxurious and smooth, yet the distinct sound and feel of the V6 engine are ever-present, adding character to each drive. The reviewer initially noted the unique sensation, a departure from four-cylinder vehicles, mistaking it for tire issues before recognizing the V6’s rhythmic pulse.
A standout feature is the real torque vectoring, a superior system compared to Hyundai’s brake-based vectoring. This technology is palpable, especially during sharp turns from a stop, where the torque vectoring subtly induces oversteer, making this large SUV feel surprisingly nimble and responsive.
The lighting, both exterior and interior, is commendable. The exterior lights are effective, while the interior’s six LED lights are described as absolutely amazing, brightly illuminating the entire cabin.
Convenience features like the remote starter are greatly appreciated, especially for those upgrading from older vehicles. Furthermore, the combination of Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control works seamlessly to mitigate driver fatigue on long highway journeys, approaching near self-driving capabilities and significantly enhancing driving comfort.
Finally, the leather seats are highlighted as exceptionally luxurious, fully wrapped even at the bottom rear, a detail often missed even in luxury brands.
Areas for Improvement in the Honda Pilot Elite
Despite its numerous strengths, the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite does present some drawbacks. One early concern is brake pedal noise. Within just six weeks of ownership, the brake pedal began exhibiting thuddy and pingy sounds when pressed or released quickly. This development is particularly noticeable as the brakes were initially silent and smooth, raising questions about long-term durability and Honda’s famed reliability.
Another notable point of contention is the lack of undercarriage protection. Compared to competitors like the Atlas, Palisade, CX90, and Telluride, which feature substantial flat covers to shield the undercarriage from road debris, the Pilot leaves this area exposed. Inspection reveals vulnerable thin cables running along the drive shaft, a surprising omission considering the availability of a steel skid plate on the Trailsport trim and the general expectation for robust SUV construction. The absence of a simple plastic cover, standard on many rivals, seems like an oversight.
Minor Annoyances – The Nitpicking Points
Several minor issues were noted that, while not deal-breakers, detract slightly from the overall experience. The climate control blower fan, even at its lowest setting, is described as pretty loud with an awful droning hum. This issue was confirmed in another new Pilot at the dealership, indicating it’s a characteristic of the model rather than an isolated defect. The reviewer compensates by using a slightly higher fan speed, but notes that previous vehicles had quieter cabin fans.
The second-row bench seat in the Elite trim, while offering sliding functionality for the outer seats, presents a design quirk with the detachable middle seat. This center seat cannot be slid back, causing it to protrude awkwardly when the other seats are adjusted for maximum legroom. Reclining the middle seat helps to visually align it with the rest, but it’s a less than ideal solution. However, the reviewer prefers this bench setup over captain’s chairs.
The wireless charging pad is disappointingly slow, deemed unreliable for quick charging needs. A dedicated rapid charger is necessary for practical fast charging.
The Bose sound system, while praised for its impressively strong and clean bass, is criticized for absent mids. Even with adjustment, mid-range frequencies are lacking. The Bose Centerpoint surround mode, while interesting, compromises bass clarity. Despite these shortcomings, the system is considered decent for bass-heavy music and doesn’t sound cheap overall.
Finally, the use of woefully weak halogen bulbs for turn signals and backup lights is a puzzling choice in a vehicle of this class. Observing even luxury brands like Audi making similar cost-saving decisions does little to mitigate the disappointment. The reviewer opted to spend $40 to replace these bulbs for improved visibility and aesthetics.
Final Verdict on the Honda Pilot Elite
In conclusion, the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite is presented as a confident vehicle that instills a sense of safety for both driver and passengers. Its straightforward interior design is expected to withstand the test of time aesthetically. The level of luxury, particularly the seats, is surprisingly high for a Honda, especially within the Elite trim. Despite minor issues and a few areas for improvement, the reviewer’s overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, culminating in a 9.5/10 rating. The V6 engine and transmission are highlighted as smooth and powerful, especially after the engine break-in period, enhancing the driving pleasure. For those in the market for a capable and comfortable mid-size SUV, reviews for Honda Pilot models like the Elite trim consistently point to a vehicle that delivers on many fronts, making it a strong contender in its segment.
