What does touring mean on a Honda Pilot?
Touring on a Honda Pilot refers to the trim level—the higher-spec configuration that bundles premium features. It is not a driving mode or performance setting.
What Touring means in the Pilot lineup
In the Honda Pilot’s lineup, Touring sits above the base LX and mid-level EX/LX variants, typically below the Elite. It signals a well-equipped version designed to add comfort, convenience, and enhanced technology without stepping up to the very top tier. The exact features can vary by model year and market, but Touring generally represents a premium package within the Pilot family.
Key features commonly associated with the Touring trim (year-dependent) include:
- Leather-trimmed seating and upgraded interior materials
- Heated front seats and often a heated steering wheel
- Power-adjustable front seats (often with memory settings)
- Tri-zone automatic climate control or multi-zone climate control
- Upgraded infotainment system with a larger touchscreen, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Navigation on certain model years
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Power liftgate and sometimes a hands-free tailgate
- Sunroof (often a larger or panoramic style, depending on year)
- Honda Sensing safety features enabled as standard (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, forward collision mitigation, road departure mitigation)
- Higher-grade wheels (size and design vary by year)
Availability of these features varies by model year and region. Always verify the exact contents of a Touring in the year you’re considering.
How Touring compares to other trims
To understand its position in the lineup, consider how Touring stacks up against the other Pilots. The list below highlights typical differences, noting that specifics can shift with redesigns.
- Compared with LX: Touring adds leather, a more advanced infotainment system, enhanced safety tech, and greater comfort amenities that are not standard on LX.
- Compared with EX: EX gains additional convenience features over LX, while Touring combines EX’s improvements with even more premium interior finishes and tech.
- Compared with EX-L: EX-L usually includes leather and convenience upgrades; Touring adds navigation (where applicable), wireless charging, a larger infotainment system, and more advanced safety features.
- Compared with Elite: Elite sits above Touring and typically adds items such as second-row captain’s chairs (in certain configurations), additional premium audio or interior luxuries, and possibly more advanced imaging or comfort features. Touring is the near-top tier, offering most of the premium traits without crossing into Elite-exclusive options.
In practice, Touring is a compelling choice for buyers who want a well-equipped, comfortable, and safer Pilot without paying for the absolute top-of-the-line Elite features. Always compare the exact equipment lists for your model year to ensure you’re getting the features you want.
Model-year notes
Honda updates trim contents with redesigns and mid-cycle refreshes. While Touring generally remains the premium non-Elite option, the specific equipment—such as the size of the touchscreen, the availability of navigation, or the presence of wireless charging—can change from year to year. Checking the official brochure or dealership build sheet for your exact model year is recommended.
Summary
Touring means a premium Honda Pilot trim that blends luxury features, advanced technology, and enhanced safety without reaching the Elite level. It’s designed for buyers who want more comfort and convenience than the LX/EX line offers, with year-to-year variations that warrant a careful feature check before purchase.
What does Honda Pilot Touring mean?
The Touring version of the Honda Pilot offers a higher level of luxury for those who want it. It also offers various smart features, like a removable center seat in the second row that can be stored beneath the cargo bay floor. Additional elements include: Gloss Black roof rails. 20-inch machine-finished alloy wheels.
Which is better, Pilot touring or elite?
The Honda Pilot Elite is better than the Touring if you want more luxury features and technology, while the Touring is a strong choice if you prefer to save money. The Elite builds on the Touring by adding premium upgrades like ventilated front seats, a 10.2-inch driver information screen, a head-up display, and acoustic laminated glass for a quieter cabin.
You can watch this video to see the interior of the Honda Pilot Touring and Elite: 1m703SpeedYouTube · May 7, 2024
| Feature | Elite | Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Standard AWD | Yes | No (AWD is optional) |
| Front Seats | Heated and ventilated | Heated |
| Second-Row Seats | Heated | Standard (Elite adds heated seats) |
| Driver Information Display | 10.2-inch screen | 9-inch screen (standard on lower trims) |
| Head-Up Display | Yes | No |
| Audio System | 12-speaker premium audio system | Standard premium audio system |
| Glass | Acoustic laminated front and rear glass | Standard windshield glass (Elite adds more acoustic glass) |
| Other Features | Heated wiper zone, rain-sensing wipers, hands-free power tailgate, LED ambient lighting | Hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, LED ambient lighting |
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This video discusses the key differences between the Honda Pilot Touring and Elite models: 1mHawkeye RidesYouTube · Sep 3, 2024
Choose the Elite if you prioritize luxury and technology
- You want the quietest cabin possible thanks to acoustic glass throughout the vehicle.
- You desire the convenience of ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
- You prefer having a head-up display for key driving information.
- You want the premium audio experience and the larger driver information screen.
Choose the Touring if you prioritize value
- You're comfortable with heated front seats instead of ventilated ones.
- You don't need the head-up display or the larger driver information screen.
- You are happy with the standard premium audio system.
- You want to save money while still getting a well-equipped and comfortable SUV.
What does the Honda Pilot Touring package include?
The Honda Pilot: Touring
The exterior sees the return of the 20-inch wheels and the addition of a hands-free power tailgate! Additionally, the interior gets leather-trimmed seats with a Bose audio sound system so you and your passenger feel every note on your drive.
What is special about Honda Touring?
The Honda Touring trim represents a luxury-oriented variant with high-end features. These include ventilated front seats, a hands-free power tailgate, an upgraded audio system (such as a Bose premium sound system), built-in navigation, and wireless charging.
