What is the difference between Honda Pilot Touring and Elite 2024?
The Elite is the top-tier, luxury-leaning version of the 2024 Honda Pilot, while the Touring sits just beneath it with many premium features but fewer high-end touches. In short, Elite adds more comfort, technology, and convenience options on top of what Touring already offers, and it comes with a higher price tag.
What sets them apart in features
The following differences highlight the main feature gaps between the Touring and Elite trims. Note that availability can vary by market and dealership, so always verify with a local dealer for your region.
- Interior materials and comfort: Elite typically includes upgraded materials and seating comforts, such as ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with premium seating surfaces. Touring provides high-quality materials and comfort as well, but ventilated seats and some luxury touches are less common.
- Infotainment and navigation: Elite usually adds a larger touchscreen and often built-in navigation, plus enhanced audio options. Touring covers strong infotainment with smartphone integration but may rely more on an external navigation solution or a smaller screen, depending on the market and packages.
- Convenience features: The Elite often brings amenities such as a hands-free power tailgate and wireless device charging as standard or more readily available, whereas Touring may offer these as optional upgrades or package components.
- Driver-assistance and safety tech: Both trims come with Honda Sensing, but Elite is more likely to include extra camera systems (such as a surround-view camera) and additional parking aids in some markets. Touring includes the core Sensing features and Blind Spot Information, with Cross Traffic Monitor as part of the package in many cases.
- Exterior styling and wheels: Elite generally adopts more upscale exterior cues, including larger or higher-end wheels and trim accents, while Touring provides a polished look with slightly less expansive wheel options.
In summary, Elite is the more luxurious, feature-rich option that stacks on premium comfort, advanced display and navigation options, enhanced convenience, and potentially more comprehensive camera/sensing systems. Touring delivers a robust, well-equipped suite that appeals to buyers wanting many high-end features without stepping up to the top trim.
Performance, practicality, and ownership considerations
The two trims share the core drivetrain and most capabilities, so performance and everyday practicality are broadly similar. Differences you’re likely to notice come from seating arrangements, cargo loading, and how features feel in daily use. For example, seating configurations and cargo space remain essentially the same, but Elite’s additional features can affect convenience in daily loading, cabin quietness, and in-car technology usage.
- Powertrain and drive: Both Touring and Elite use the same engine and transmission pairing, with similar torque and horsepower outputs and available all-wheel drive. Towing capacity and overall performance are designed to be parallel across trims when properly equipped.
- Interior space and cargo: Passenger space and cargo capacity are essentially identical between Touring and Elite, though Elite’s premium materials and features can affect perceived cabin comfort and noise levels.
- Warranty and reliability considerations: Honda’s basic warranty terms apply across trims, so differences come primarily from equipment rather than coverage or reliability expectations.
For buyers, this means choosing between Touring and Elite mostly comes down to how much they value premium interior comfort, navigation and display upgrades, and convenience features versus price. Check the exact equipment lists for your region, as features can shift between markets and model years.
Pricing and value
The price gap between Touring and Elite is typically several thousand dollars, reflecting the Elite’s premium features and materials. Depending on options and regional pricing, the Elite can approach or exceed the mid-to-high $40,000s to $50,000s range, while Touring sits at a lower baseline. Always confirm current MSRPs and available packages with a local Honda dealer, as promotions and inventory can alter the final out-the-door price.
In deciding which trim fits your budget, consider how often you’ll use premium conveniences (such as ventilated seats, advanced navigation, or a premium audio system) versus the value of keeping costs lower while still enjoying most of the Pilot’s core capabilities.
Bottom line
The 2024 Honda Pilot Touring and Elite share the same core platform, engine, and practicality, but Elite adds more luxury and technology upgrades that enhance comfort and convenience. Touring remains a highly capable, well-equipped option for buyers seeking strong features without stepping into the top tier. Your choice should align with how much you value premium amenities and the associated price premium.
Summary
In the 2024 Honda Pilot lineup, Elite is the premium, feature-rich trim above Touring. Expect more luxurious seating options, enhanced infotainment and navigation, additional convenience features, and upgraded exterior styling on Elite. Touring offers a strong, well-equipped alternative with many of the same core capabilities but typically fewer luxury touches and a lower price. Always verify current specifications with a local dealer for your area.
