By Kimatni D. Rawlins
Who doesn’t love a good road trip? During the summer months my family and I hit the road at least once bi-weekly to visit relatives and friends along the East Coast. But of course, the requisite crossover vehicle must meet all needs and check every box, from efficiency and driving comfort to luggage storage and infotainment. In this case, I was test-driving a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite in Lunar Silver Metallic for our quick round-trip journey from Maryland to New Jersey for a family graduation.
The three-row, midsize people mover features clean lines, a welcoming physical shape, and amenities necessary for group outings. Although the Pilot is not dramatically exciting from a design perspective or overly powerful, it does everything right to represent a consistently well-rounded utility. It’s highlighted by Black trim and features a tailgate spoiler, panoramic sunroof, 20” alloy wheels paired with all-season Bridgestone Alenza sport tires, heated power door mirrors, a heated windshield, rain-sensing wipers, remote engine start, roof rails, walk-away auto lock, LED headlights and taillights, and a large honeycomb-styled grille.
The interior is comfortable and freshly updated with leather-trimmed seats, an uber sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring paddle shifters, a 10-way powered driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a respectable 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. A small but intuitive 9” touchscreen with Honda Navigation, voice recognition, and surround view camera handles your tech needs efficiently. A head-up display helps keep your eyes focused on the road. Though there is a physical volume button, I would like to see one added for tuning in the next model update.
My road trip crew consisted of six individuals (including me) who enjoyed the cabin’s comforts. My young nieces hopped into the third room, which was quite cozy for them. My teen daughters made the second row their temporary home and were appeased by the wireless phone charging pad, window sunshades, mobile hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay. So, of course, we had to rock out with their music playlists.
Powered by a competent 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine (10-speed automatic transmission), I had no qualms pushing uphill with the power at hand or gripping around the curvy roads between locations thanks to Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD, which added more road confidence, especially when it began to rain. Integrated Drive Modes consist of Snow, Econ, Sport, Tow, Trail, and Sand modes to take on various weather patterns or environments. Additionally, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control help maneuver the Pilot up and down inclines. A push-button shifter, typical on electric vehicles, replaces the traditional hand shifter. Expect 19 city and 25 highway MPG from the Honda Pilot.
Of course, safety is at the top of one’s mind when driving extensively on the highway. Thankfully, Honda is always on top of its game. For example, Honda Sensing incorporates Adaptive Cruise Control, a Collision-Mitigation Brake System, a Lane-Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, and Traffic Jam Assist. And if that’s not enough, Honda also secures your anxiety with three-row curtain airbags, knee airbags, LED daytime running lights, a LATCH System for child seats, and Vehicle Stability Assist.
MSRP plus the $1,395 destination fee is $54,175 for the Honda Elite AWD, but the entry-level Pilot Sport 2WD plus destination is $41,295. A fancy new Honda Pilot Black Edition enhances the SUV’s attraction with Gloss Black 20” alloy rims, a Gloss Black grille bar and upper side mirror housings, blackout treatments on the front fascia, window trim, door garnishes and rear bumper garnish, plus Black Edition badges on the grille and tailgate.
“Adding the Black Edition to the Honda Pilot really ensures that our ultimate family SUV continues to set the benchmark in the midsize 3-row SUV class,” said Lance Woelfer, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With a top-of class combination of rugged design, off-road capability and nimble on-road dynamics, Pilot is ready for that next great family adventure.”
The 2025 Pilot is the breadwinner for the Honda SUV family and is slated for middle-income consumers. It’s the biggest and most powerful three-row SUV in the company’s history. It’s perfect for individuals transitioning into a life of added responsibility, such as parenting, but still require ideal driving dynamics and advanced safety technology.
