What is the difference between 2023 and 2025 Pilot?
The 2025 Honda Pilot is largely the same generation as the 2023 model, with incremental updates rather than a full redesign. You’ll notice small improvements in features, tech, and pricing rather than a wholesale change to the vehicle’s platform or powertrain.
What follows is a detailed look at how the two model years compare across powertrain, interior technology, safety features, trim structure, and pricing. This guide is intended to help buyers assess used 2023 inventory versus a potential 2025 purchase, and to help buyers plan what to expect when shopping in different markets.
Here are the main, high-level differences you’re likely to notice when comparing a 2023 Pilot with a 2025 model.
- Powertrain and efficiency: The 2023 Pilot uses Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 paired with a multi-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 model carries forward the same engine family with minor calibration improvements aimed at smoother shifts and slight efficiency gains in certain trims.
- Interior, technology, and infotainment: The 2023 Pilot introduced a refreshed cabin with a larger touchscreen in many trims and upgraded connectivity. The 2025 Pilot broadens standard features on base trims and offers a more refined user interface with improved responsiveness and updated software features.
- Safety and driver-assistance: Honda Sensing remains standard on most trims across both years, but the 2025 model typically expands the availability of advanced driver-assistance features to more trims and may include refinements to sensor performance and feature timing.
- Exterior styling and trim lineup: The 2023 redesign established the Pilot’s current look; the 2025 model sticks with that design language while offering limited color and trim refreshes and continuing to support variants like TrailSport and Elite in most markets.
- Pricing and availability: Prices for the 2025 Pilot generally reflect inflation and added standard features, resulting in a higher starting price compared with the 2023 model. Availability and pricing can vary by region and dealership.
In short, the 2025 Pilot is not a new generation but a refined continuation of the 2023 design, with improved features and small refinements rather than a wholesale redesign.
Performance and Powertrain
The core engine and drivetrain layout remain consistent between the two model years. Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 powerplant has long been the standard for the Pilot, delivering ample everyday capability for family use and highway cruising.
Engine and Transmission
Both the 2023 and 2025 Pilots rely on the same V6 powertrain family, typically paired with a multi-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 model carries forward this arrangement with potential software calibration updates to shift logic and throttle response, designed to improve real-world smoothness and response without altering peak output.
Drivetrain Options and Towing
Front-wheel drive is available, with all-wheel drive offered on most trims. Towing capability remains competitive for a mid-size family SUV, with ratings depending on trim and equipment. The 2025 model preserves these configurations, focusing on reliability and everyday usability rather than a major drivetrain overhaul.
Interior, Technology, and Comfort
Inside the Pilot, the philosophy centers on space, practicality, and user-friendly tech. The 2023 model’s cabin refresh set a new baseline for materials, seating comfort, and infotainment, while the 2025 model adds refinements that improve daily usability.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2023 Pilot offered modern connectivity with a sizable touchscreen, smartphone integration, and available premium audio. The 2025 model expands on this with a more polished interface, faster responses, and broader standard connectivity on base trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are typically highlighted features across both years, with improved integration in 2025.
Seating, UX, and Cargo
Both years provide flexible seating for up to eight passengers in most configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs available on higher trims. The 2025 model continues this layout but benefits from minor improvements in seat padding, rear-seat usability, and cargo-management options through refined trim-level packages.
Safety and Driver-Assistance
Honda’s safety suite has been a selling point for the Pilot, and both model years emphasize driver-assistance features as a core offering. The 2025 model tends to broaden standard safety features across trims and may include refinements to sensor timing and warning logic.
Sensing and Assistive Tech
Honda Sensing - including features like Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist - remains a staple on most trims for both years. In 2025, expect these features to be more widely standard across trims and tuned for smoother, less intrusive operation in everyday driving.
Pricing, Trims, and Options
The 2023 Pilot offered a tiered lineup that included base and well-equipped variants, with popular trims like EX, EX-L, Touring, and TrailSport. The 2025 Pilot preserves the core trim structure but typically introduces slight shifts in feature content and pricing to reflect market conditions and added standard equipment.
Trim Levels and Availability
The TrailSport and Elite (or similarly positioned) variants remain part of the lineup in many markets, with 2025 models often adding or reconfiguring standard features within trims to improve value perception without a full redesign.
What to Expect When Buying
If you’re shopping for a used 2023 Pilot, you’ll want to verify wear on the powertrain and the condition of interior electronics and infotainment. If you’re considering a new 2025 Pilot, expect a higher starting price and a longer list of standard features, along with the latest safety tech refinements. Availability and exact pricing will vary by region and dealership.
Summary
The 2023 Honda Pilot marked the introduction of a refreshed, more modern Pilot with improved interior quality, infotainment, and safety tech. The 2025 Pilot carries the same generation forward, delivering incremental updates rather than a redesign. Buyers’ll find refinements in technology, expanded standard features on lower trims, and small improvements to safety systems and driving refinement, all while the core powertrain and spacious, family-friendly packaging remain essentially the same. For the most accurate, model-year-specific details, check with a local Honda dealer or the official Honda website as the 2025 model year rolls out in your region.
Does the 2025 Honda Pilot require premium gas?
Use of unleaded gasoline of 87 octane or higher is recommended. Honda recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline where available. Do NOT use gasoline containing more than 15% ethanol.
What is the update for the 2025 Pilot?
The main changes for the 2025 Honda Pilot are the addition of the new top-tier Black Edition trim, the elimination of the base LX trim, and some improvements to safety and noise reduction. The Black Edition features unique gloss black exterior accents, 20-inch wheels, and a red-stitched, leather-trimmed interior. All trims benefit from updated second-row seat belts for improved safety, and some higher trims include added sound-reducing features.
You can watch this video to see a review of the 2025 Honda Pilot, including a test drive: 1mReview1BoxYouTube · Nov 15, 2025
New features and trims
- Black Edition: This new, top-of-the-line trim is based on the Elite and includes a Gloss Black grille, roof rails, and 20-inch wheels. The interior features perforated leather seats with red accent stitching and red contrast stitching on the steering wheel and doors.
- LX trim discontinued: The base LX trim has been eliminated, making the Sport trim the new entry point for the 2025 model year.
Safety and technology
- Improved seat belts: The 2025 Pilot features updated second-row seat belts to enhance occupant protection in moderate overlap front crashes.
- Sound reduction: The Elite and Touring trims receive additional noise reduction, including enclosed fender liners, while the EX-L and Sport trims add semi-tempered glass and extra insulation to the doors.
- Updated technology: Some trims may receive software updates to the infotainment system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may be more widely available.
- Multi-Mode Drive System: The base Sport model comes with a five-mode drive system (Normal, ECON, Snow, Tow, and Sport), and all-wheel drive models add Trail and Sand modes.
This video demonstrates the safety features of the 2025 Honda Pilot, including the multi-mode drive system: 56sNamCarYouTube · Oct 14, 2024
Pricing and availability
- Increased pricing: Prices have increased across the trim levels for 2025, with the new Black Edition starting at a new price point.
- All-wheel drive: All-wheel drive is standard on the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trims and is available as an option on the Sport, EX-L, and Touring models.
What is the difference between 2025 and 2024 Honda Pilot?
Trim Levels and Features Compared
The 2024 Pilot offers a range of well-equipped trims. These include LX, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. The 2025 lineup adds the new Black Edition. However, the core features of the other trims remain largely consistent.
What changes are expected for the 2026 Honda Pilot?
Honda has advanced the rugged, family-friendly Honda Pilot for the 2026 model year with several key upgrades inside and out. These include a larger touchscreen, a more premium and tech-rich interior, and major styling updates with vibrant new colors.
