2025 Honda Pilot

I traded in my old 2016 Honda Pilot for a 2025 Honda Pilot. I really wanted to go 4Runner but the old generation was too small and the new generation has the turbo 4 cylinder engine I just can't get behind. I have to say, this is one of the smoothest vehicles I have driven. It is lightyears better than my old 2016 Pilot.

 

I'm curious to see how the new (10 speed?) transmission is. Maybe if our 2022 with the 9 speed shits the bed and I can't find a Grand Highlander, we'll get one.

 

It is so much smoother than the 6 speed and it doesn't hunt for gears like the 9 speed did. When you drive it, you will see the difference. Plus this is the first Honda engine with no VTEC and DOHC. The engine pulls very linear rather than the top end.

 

I've seen a few Honda trailsport editions I really liked. I need to go out and drive one.

 

You won't be disappointed.

 

We are a few years away, was going to wait on the new 4Runner and go from there. Honestly both the Pilot and 4R are strong contenders for my wife's next vehicle.

Edit: going to let the new 4R cycle a few years first.

 

The reason why I went for the pilot is because of the naturally aspirated V6. They are quite reliable.

 

Not a bad idea to consider, I do have a preference for NA motors. Less to go wrong/ break... my uneducated opinion anyway.

 

It’s nice but the acceleration was way bad. I think it was one of the shortest stints

 

With 285 HP it isn't the fastest SUV but it is adequate for the size of vehicle.

 

Is your control test a Tesla? lol. stupid fast acceleration.

 

I have a 2011 Pilot, built like a tank, 190K miles on it and just got me wife a 2024 TrailSport, baby blue color, so so smooth. But the quality is not there anymore. A lot of trim outside is coming loose, like in 3 or 4 places. I need to take it in for the 5000 maintenance and have the trim fixed.

 

Where is your trim falling off? It is good for me to watch on my trailsport.

 

I will take some pictures tomorrow

 

I had crvs, trucks and other non EV cars. I think it’s the non hybrid platform. The acceleration has hesitation. Even the wife complained and said it had to go. It was the only car she said should go.

they did great on the refresh though. I assume the Ridgeline will be same platform and powertrain . Shopping a midsize truck now and that prob will be the same character

 

Interesting. @DrZoidberg are you saying the Hybrid may not have the hesitation issues?

 

This is my 3rd Pilot. I notice no hesitation but also this is not a power beast. It shifts very very smooth, I like it, my wife loves it.
I honestly wanted to buy her the Lexus GX but she felt crowded inside and she preferred the Pilot TrailSport.

 

Used ‘23 Trailsport in white will be the wife’s next whip.

We looked at 2019 Subaru Forester for the manual we both really want, the ugly Limited trim of the 4Runner for the AWD we want, and the GX to get the V8, extra gear, and keep AWD. All three were okay, but with the amount of camping we do with family/kids/dog/etc. we’d like a second vehicle option big enough we can take if I ever want to leave the long bed tundra behind. Videos of the new Pilot’s AWD system are promising. It’s no body on frame 4x4 off road, but we like the safety of getting a “car” instead of a “truck” now that kids are in the picture.

Curious what other assessments led you to it!

 

Our biggest factor was reliability this being our 3rd Pilot and we have awesome experience with it. But most importantly was the 3rd row and still have room behind us for luggage. Sometime we had 6 people in for very long trips.

 

Roomy inside? I have yet to sit in one.

 

VERY very roomy. Even roomier than our 2011 Pilot. We went to car show in Feb 2023 and managed to look at all SUV's just to keep an open mind. I was gunning for the Lexus GX being a Toyota dude but my wife overruled me with the Trailsport Pilot. The GX didn't have any space left for luggage behind the 3rd row of seats, so that was a big no no. Besides the the baby or sky blue Trailsport looks so spanky I drove it few times, long trips and is very smooth and responsive. I even did some offroading in Palo Duro Canyon and it handled really well.

 

Good feedback to hear on this. Again, torn between this and the new 4R (after a couple of years of production). I would like to have all Toyota's in my driveway but we'll go with the best options for our needs and practicality. We have 2 kids who are going to grow up and have friends, cycling through vehicles isn't apart of our financial plan.

 

Kids and in-laws all together in the same SUV for long trips was one of the key factors. I don't know anything else besides the Pilot, but I didn't care for the 4R even thou I have 2 Tundra trucks. But I can tell you the Honda is as reliable as the Toyota, basically the same, you do your maintenance and it runs forever, plus some wear and tear. This is my 3rd Pilot and I still have the 2011 that my daughter is driving now with 190K miles on it. I also used to have an Element for my in-laws, ugly as shit and that run forever as well. I bought it for 16K brand new and sold it during Covid for 8K with 165K miles on it. It was unbelievable.

 

Hybrids in general just have snappier acceleration. As the power is usually instant.

The pilot was great and in every other category wins out. Except that damn gimmicky removable middle seat. It’s cool but leaves the 2nd row captain chairs armless . I had the elite and the tech was a huge a upgrade from previous years

 

Good feedback and I appreciate the information. Deciding on a vehicle when spending 50k+ needs some extra thought in the mix, a lot of complicated factors these days. Don't like hearing you're having some trim quality issues... I want less reasons to return to the dealer.

 

Sport mode takes care of that hesitation.

 

Yeah the lack of removable middle seat was a bummer for us as well but the kids are teens now so having 3 people in the middle row is no longer the case. But if you have small kids yes, is kind of a deal breaker for some

 

Yeah I was disappointed with the trim but that's the new world we live in now, less quality I guess. But dealer will fix it. Is not a major problem for me or deal breakers. Shit happens

And by the way I have 2 contacts for extended warranty if you need it, I think I paid $1200 for 10 Years / 125K or something like that. Saccucci Honda Care & Hyannis Honda Care

 

The trailsport comes with captains chairs and no removable seat for the second row. That solved the armrest issue for us.