What you get in each 2025 Honda Pilot trim

The 2025 Honda Pilot comes in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Each step up adds standard features rather than offering them as options, so your trim choice locks in most of what you'll have. The LX is the base model with cloth seats, a 5-inch touchscreen, and Honda Sensing (the safety suite). The EX adds an 8-inch touchscreen, power liftgate, and roof rails. The EX-L brings leather seats, a power moonroof, and a heated steering wheel. The Touring adds a panoramic moonroof, upgraded audio, and ventilated front seats. The Elite, the highest trim, includes a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and premium leather.

All trims use the same 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque across every configuration. All-wheel drive is standard on Touring and Elite; on LX, EX, and EX-L, you choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive at purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 Pilot offers five trims (LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite), and each trim includes a fixed set of features rather than letting you pick and choose options.
  • All trims share the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and 10-speed transmission, so performance and fuel economy do not change between trims.
  • All-wheel drive is standard on Touring and Elite but optional on LX, EX, and EX-L, which means you decide at the time of purchase.
  • The main differences between trims are interior materials, technology screens, comfort features like heated seats, and convenience items like power liftgates.
  • Honda Sensing safety features come standard on every trim, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, and collision mitigation.

Interior and comfort features by trim

The LX and EX use cloth upholstery, while the EX-L, Touring, and Elite step up to leather. The EX-L leather is standard leather; the Touring and Elite offer a premium leather with more stitching detail. Heated front seats are standard on EX-L and above. The Touring and Elite add ventilated front seats, which blow cool air through the leather in warm weather. A heated steering wheel appears on EX-L and above.

Moonroof options differ by trim. The EX-L offers a power moonroof. The Touring and Elite get a larger panoramic moonroof that extends further back. The LX and EX do not offer a moonroof at all. Power liftgate (the rear hatch that opens and closes with a button) is standard on EX and above; the LX has a manual liftgate.

Seating capacity is seven across all trims, with a second row of captain's chairs (two individual seats) or a bench seat depending on your choice. The third row folds flat when not in use. Cargo space behind the third row is 18 cubic feet; with the third row folded, you get 55 cubic feet; with both second and third rows folded, you have 84 cubic feet.

Technology and infotainment screens

The LX comes with a 5-inch touchscreen that displays the backup camera and basic controls for audio and climate. The EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite all have an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims and connect wirelessly on Touring and Elite; on LX, EX, and EX-L, the connection is wired.

The Touring adds an 8-inch digital instrument cluster (the display behind the steering wheel that shows speed and fuel level) and an upgraded audio system with 12 speakers instead of the standard 8. The Elite goes further with a head-up display, which projects speed, navigation, and alerts onto the windshield so you do not have to look down at the dashboard. The Elite also includes a wireless charging pad for your phone.

All trims come with a backup camera. The EX-L, Touring, and Elite add a multi-view camera system that shows a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the vehicle when you are parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.

Safety features standard across all trims

Honda Sensing is standard equipment on every 2025 Pilot trim. This package includes adaptive cruise control (which maintains distance from the car ahead), lane-keeping information (which gently steers you back if you drift), collision mitigation braking (which applies the brakes if a collision is imminent), and road departure mitigation (which alerts you if you are drifting off the road). All trims also have eight airbags, electronic stability control, and brake information.

The EX-L, Touring, and Elite add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which warns you if a vehicle is approaching from the side or behind when you are backing up. These features are not available on the LX or EX.

Drivetrain and all-wheel drive options

The 2025 Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine in every configuration. It produces 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission is paired with this engine across all trims. Real-world fuel economy varies slightly depending on whether you choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but the engine itself does not change.

Front-wheel drive is standard on LX, EX, and EX-L. All-wheel drive is optional on these three trims and costs extra at the time of purchase. All-wheel drive is standard (included with no extra charge) on Touring and Elite. If you choose all-wheel drive on a lower trim, you get the same system as the higher trims — there is no "lite" version.

The all-wheel-drive system on the Pilot is a passive system, meaning it automatically sends power to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip. You do not have separate driving modes or a button to engage it; it works continuously in the background.

Pricing structure and what changes at each step

The LX is the entry point and includes the basics: cloth seats, 5-inch screen, manual liftgate, and front-wheel drive. Moving to the EX adds the 8-inch screen, power liftgate, and roof rails. The EX-L jumps to leather seats, a power moonroof, heated steering wheel, and blind-spot monitoring. The Touring brings the panoramic moonroof, ventilated seats, upgraded audio, and a digital instrument cluster. The Elite adds the head-up display, wireless charging, and wireless phone connectivity for CarPlay and Android Auto.

Each trim level is a complete package, not a base with options layered on top. You cannot, for example, buy an LX with the Touring's panoramic moonroof or the Elite's head-up display. If you want a specific feature, you must move up to the trim that includes it. This approach simplifies the buying process because you are choosing between five complete vehicles rather than mixing and matching hundreds of option combinations.

Comparing front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive

Front-wheel drive is lighter and typically delivers slightly better fuel economy. All-wheel drive adds weight and complexity, which reduces efficiency, but it provides better traction in snow, rain, and off-road conditions. On the Pilot, the difference in real-world fuel economy between the two is roughly 1 to 2 miles per gallon, depending on driving conditions and habits.

If you live in a region with heavy snow or frequent rain, or if you regularly drive on unpaved roads, all-wheel drive is worth the cost. If you drive mostly on dry pavement in a temperate climate, front-wheel drive will save you money both at purchase and at the pump. The Pilot's all-wheel-drive system is not designed for serious off-roading; it is built for everyday traction and stability on slippery surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add features from a higher trim to a lower trim?

No. The 2025 Pilot uses a trim-based system where each trim is a complete package. If you want the panoramic moonroof from the Touring, you must buy the Touring; you cannot add it to an EX-L. This simplifies pricing and inventory but removes the option to customize.

Is all-wheel drive worth the extra cost?

It depends on your climate and driving patterns. All-wheel drive costs several thousand dollars and reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 miles per gallon. If you face regular snow, ice, or heavy rain, the traction benefit justifies the cost. If you drive mostly on dry pavement, front-wheel drive is the more economical choice.

Do all trims have the same engine and transmission?

Yes. Every 2025 Pilot, regardless of trim, uses the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. The differences between trims are interior materials, technology features, and comfort items — not performance or power.

What is the difference between the power moonroof and the panoramic moonroof?

The power moonroof on the EX-L is a smaller opening that tilts and slides. The panoramic moonroof on the Touring and Elite is larger and extends further back toward the second row, letting in more light and air. Both are glass panels that open and close with a button.

Does the LX have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes, but the connection is wired. You plug your phone into a USB port in the center console. On Touring and Elite, the connection is wireless, so you do not need a cable. The EX and EX-L also use wired connections.