5 Reasons to Love the 2025 Honda Pilot Trim Levels (with a Few Quirky Downsides!)
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the latest iteration of a much-loved family SUV. Honda’s iconic three-row crossover has been refined for this year, offering exciting updates across all its trim levels. If you're in the market for an SUV that can handle both family road trips and grocery runs with ease, the new Pilot is worth a look.
But wait... before you click "add to cart" (is that how car shopping works now?), let's break down each trim level and see if it's truly worth your hard-earned cash. After all, you want to know what you're paying for—right down to whether that heated steering wheel is available or if you're getting stuck with cloth seats in 2025.
As Alex Collantes—my neighbor who happens to own a Pilot from a couple of years ago—says: "I love my Pilot but man I wish I knew what I was getting into before deciding on the trim."
Let’s break this down like you would a pizza with too many toppings.
Overview of 2025 Honda Pilot Trim Levels
The 2025 Honda Pilot comes in five distinct trims. Each one offers its own set of features designed to cater to different needs, budgets, and preferences. From families looking for tech-packed conveniences to weekend warriors needing off-road chops, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a quick list of what we’re working with:
- Sport
- EX-L
- TrailSport
- Touring
- Elite
Now let’s dive into each one like you dive into the glove box when the check engine light comes on.
Honda Pilot Sport: The Starting Line (Sorta)
The Sport is the entry-level trim of the 2025 Honda Pilot, but don’t let the "entry-level" tag fool you. It still packs a punch for what you’re paying.
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 285 horsepower
- Drive: FWD, AWD available
- Seats: Cloth (Yes, cloth. Sorry)
- Wheels: 18-inch alloys
- Tech: 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Price: Starting around $40,000
Perks of the Sport
For an entry-level model, the Pilot Sport gives you a powerful engine, respectable infotainment tech, and the same solid build you’d expect from a Honda. With 285 horses under the hood, you’re not exactly crawling when you hit the highway.
Quirks of the Sport
Now let’s get real. It’s got cloth seats. Yes, the kind you stick to in the summer and freeze on in the winter. It’s also missing the larger touchscreen you’ll find in upper trims.
Alex (again with the Alex) said it best: “Yeah, I don’t mind the horsepower but cloth seats? What is this, a 90’s minivan?”
Honda Pilot EX-L: Middle Child Syndrome
Now we’re moving up the food chain. The EX-L steps up your game with a bit more luxury and a handful of features that’ll make family life a lot easier.
- Engine: Same 3.5-liter V6
- Seats: Leather-trimmed seats (Finally!)
- Wheels: 18-inch wheels
- Infotainment: 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Extras: Power tailgate, one-touch second-row seats
- Price: Around $44,000
Perks of the EX-L
Here’s where leather saves the day. You get the power tailgate, which is great for juggling groceries (and soccer balls... and screaming toddlers). The 9-inch touchscreen adds a big tech upgrade over the Sport.
Quirks of the EX-L
One potential drawback? It’s like the middle child. It tries hard but never quite excels at any one thing. You get leather, but it’s not heated in the second row. And no fancy off-road features here. So, you’re still stuck in suburban mode.
If you’re like Alex: “It’s nice but I feel like I’m driving a luxury minivan.”
Honda Pilot TrailSport: Off-Road or Off Your Rocker?
The TrailSport is Honda’s attempt at making the Pilot an off-roading machine. It’s like putting hiking boots on your uncle and sending him up a mountain—does it work? Well, sort of.
- Engine: Same V6, tuned suspension for off-road use
- Drive: AWD only (Finally some all-terrain fun)
- Wheels: 18-inch alloys with all-terrain tires
- Extras: Skid plates, hill descent control, higher ground clearance
- Seats: Leatherette (They couldn’t spring for full leather?)
- Price: $48,000-ish
Perks of the TrailSport
If you want to feel rugged without actually being rugged, this is the trim for you. The TrailSport offers AWD as standard, and all-terrain tires give you the confidence to take on some dirt roads. Skid plates and hill descent control? Handy, though let’s be real, most folks won’t need these unless they're deep into the wilderness.
Quirks of the TrailSport
Here’s the catch: the TrailSport is like wearing hiking boots to a grocery store. Sure, it’s rugged, but most people won’t actually use it for true off-roading. Also, leatherette seats? Why not just go full leather? It feels like Honda almost went for it but backed out at the last second. Come on Honda, live a little!
As Alex put it: “I wanted to look tough, but honestly I just drive this thing to Home Depot.”
Honda Pilot Touring: The Cool Dad
If SUVs had personalities, the Touring trim would be that dad who’s always showing off his new gadgets but also has a hidden stash of snacks in the car.
- Engine: Same trusty V6
- Seats: Full leather with second-row heated seats
- Infotainment: 12-speaker premium sound system
- Wheels: 20-inch alloy wheels
- Extras: Hands-free power tailgate, Wi-Fi hotspot, panoramic roof
- Price: Around $51,000
Perks of the Touring
You’re stepping into luxury territory now, with a panoramic roof that lets the kids complain about the sun in style. The 12-speaker sound system is perfect for blasting your favorite tunes while pretending you didn’t just pick it because of carpool karaoke. And that Wi-Fi hotspot? You’ll be everyone’s favorite road trip buddy.
Quirks of the Touring
Not everyone needs all this tech. If you’re not into having Wi-Fi in your car (I mean... do we really need to be online everywhere?), some of these features might feel like overkill. Also, 20-inch wheels sound great until you hit a pothole, and then you’ll wish you had kept the smaller ones.
Alex had a hilarious take: “I love the Wi-Fi but now my kids never talk to me on road trips. It’s too quiet... too quiet.”
Honda Pilot Elite: The Fancy One
This is it. The Elite. The top-tier, most luxurious Pilot you can get without jumping into a luxury brand.
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6 (we see you’re consistent Honda)
- Seats: Heated and ventilated front seats (because sweat happens), heated second-row captain’s chairs
- Wheels: 20-inch alloys
- Tech: Surround-view camera, wireless phone charger
- Extras: Heads-up display, panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers
- Price: $56,000+
Perks of the Elite
The Pilot Elite is the whole package. From heated and ventilated seats (a godsend in summer), to the surround-view camera that’ll help you nail those tricky parking spots. This trim screams “I’ve made it.”
Quirks of the Elite
Is it worth $56,000? That depends. If you don’t need ventilated seats and rain-sensing wipers (I mean, are we too lazy to switch on our own wipers now?), this might feel a little excessive.
As Alex quipped: “I love my ventilated seats but the rain-sensing wipers make me feel like my car thinks I’m an idiot.”
Final Thoughts: Which 2025 Honda Pilot Trim is Right for You?
Each trim of the 2025 Honda Pilot has its perks and quirks. The Sport gives you an affordable starting point, though those cloth seats might give you pause. The EX-L offers a balance of comfort and tech without going overboard, while the TrailSport lets you feel rugged without fully committing to the wilderness life. If luxury is your game, the Touring and Elite trims have you covered—just make sure you actually need all those gadgets.
When deciding, think about what features you’ll use most. Are you the family road trip warrior? Or the daily commuter just trying to survive traffic?
As my trusty buddy Alex said: “Whatever you choose just remember... you’ll be spending a lot of time in it. So pick the one that makes you the happiest when you’re stuck in rush hour.”
Quick Breakdown of Key Features by Trim
- Sport: 285 horsepower, cloth seats, 18-inch wheels, 7-inch touchscreen
- EX-L: Leather seats, 9-inch touchscreen, power tailgate
- TrailSport: Off-road AWD, leatherette seats, all-terrain tires
- Touring: Leather, panoramic roof, Wi-Fi hotspot, 12-speaker audio
- Elite: Heated/ventilated seats, surround-view camera, heads-up display
Common Questions About the 2025 Honda Pilot
Can you upgrade the seats on the Sport trim?
Unfortunately no The Sport trim sticks you with cloth seats but hey there’s always seat covers! (Pro Tip)
Is the Elite trim worth the price tag?
It depends on how much you love luxury. If heated seats in every row and fancy cameras sound amazing to you then yes it’s worth it.
Which trim is best for off-roading?
The TrailSport is built for that but remember it's more for light off-roading not climbing mountains.
Conclusion
The 2025 Honda Pilot brings plenty to the table in all its trim levels. From the barebones Sport to the luxury-laden Elite Honda’s got an SUV that can suit just about any lifestyle—even if that lifestyle involves more grocery trips than actual trails.
So which trim will you choose?