What is the luxury version of Honda Pilot?
In short, the luxury version is the Acura MDX. Acura is Honda’s premium division, and the MDX serves as the luxury sibling to the Pilot, sharing engineering and peaking with more upscale materials, technology, and brand positioning.
What people often want to know is whether Honda offers a true luxury variant of the Pilot itself, or if buyers should look to Acura for a premium experience. This piece explains how the two models relate, what the top Pilot trim offers, and why the MDX is regarded as Acura’s luxury flagship among sport-utility vehicles.
How Honda’s lineup relates to its luxury counterpart
The Honda Pilot and Acura MDX share a common engineering thread and family DNA, which means they often feel similar in size, capability, and interior packaging. The key distinction is branding, interior refinement, and available luxury-focused features. The Pilot is Honda’s mainstream three-row SUV, while the MDX is Acura’s upscale alternative designed to deliver a more premium feel and additional technology and comfort options.
MDX: Acura’s luxury SUV
The Acura MDX represents the luxury branch of Honda’s SUV lineup. It typically emphasizes premium materials, progressive interior design, advanced driver-assistance technology, and a more refined ride. Acura also offers performance-oriented variants in its MDX lineup, underscoring its premium positioning within the brand hierarchy.
For readers seeking a quick comparison, here are the main points that differentiate the MDX from the Pilot:
- Brand positioning: MDX is marketed as a luxury SUV under Acura, while Pilot is positioned as a mainstream family vehicle under Honda.
- Interior and materials: MDX generally features higher-grade materials, more refined fit and finish, and often more standard comfort features.
- Technology and luxury touches: MDX tends to offer more advanced tech and assistance features as standard or available options (depending on model year), along with premium audio and seating enhancements.
- Ride and handling: MDX is tuned for a more premium, composed ride with a focus on quietness and refinement; Pilot emphasizes spacious practicality and a comfortable daily drive.
- Pricing and value: MDX typically carries a higher starting price due to its luxury positioning, while Pilot provides solid value in its class with generous space and features at a lower entry point.
In summary, the Acura MDX stands as the luxury counterpart to the Honda Pilot, offering a premium experience that goes beyond what the Pilot standard trim typically provides.
What is the top trim inside Honda’s Pilot lineup?
Within the Honda Pilot, the top non-luxury trim is the Elite. This grade is designed to bring the most comfort, convenience, and technology to a Honda mainstream SUV, without crossing into a dedicated luxury badge. The Elite typically includes features such as premium seating, enhanced infotainment, and advanced driver-assistance tech, making it the closest thing within Honda to a luxury feel—though it remains distinct from Acura’s MDX in branding and overall refinement.
Key features you’ll commonly see highlighted in the Pilot Elite include improved interior materials, upgraded convenience technology, and enhanced seating comfort. Even with the Elite’s premium emphasis, it remains a Honda product rather than a luxury-brand vehicle, which is why many buyers who want true luxury look to the MDX instead.
- Premium interior materials and seating comforts compared with lower Pilot trims
- Advanced infotainment and driver-assistance features as standard or available options
- Comfort and convenience amenities such as a hands-free tailgate and enhanced cabin quietness
- Upgraded exterior styling cues and wheels that visually elevate the trim
Thus, if your question centers on a true luxury badge or brand, the MDX is the luxury version you’d be seeking. The Pilot Elite, while the most feature-rich Honda option, remains a mainstream model rather than a luxury-branded vehicle.
Summary
Honda’s approach to offering luxury within its lineup centers on the MDX as Acura’s premium SUV, sharing DNA with the Pilot but elevating the experience through branding, materials, and technology. The Pilot’s top trim, Elite, delivers a high level of comfort and capability for a mainstream model but does not carry the luxury badge that Acura provides. For buyers seeking true luxury, the MDX is the recommended choice, while the Pilot remains the value-forward, versatile option in Honda’s family SUV lineup.
What is the luxury version of a Honda Pilot?
High-end Honda Pilot trim levels like the Touring and Elite cater to your desire to be pampered with features like heated front and second-row seats, a 12-speaker Bose® premium audio system, and many more. Explore some of our favorite luxury amenities in the 2024 Honda Pilot below.
Is the Acura MDX the same thing as a Honda Pilot?
No, the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot are not the same; they share a platform but differ in luxury, interior space, and features, with the MDX being the more premium and smaller luxury option, while the Pilot is a larger, more spacious and practical vehicle. Key differences include the MDX having more premium materials, advanced technology, and better handling, while the Pilot offers more seating capacity, cargo space, and third-row legroom.
This video compares the exterior and interior of the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot: 54sCar ConfectionsYouTube · Jul 16, 2023
Acura MDX
- Luxury focus: Positioned as a luxury vehicle with premium materials like Milano leather and real wood trim, a more advanced infotainment system, and a generally more upscale feel.
- Handling: Often provides a sportier driving experience due to a different front suspension setup and tuning.
- Space: Smaller overall, with a maximum seating capacity of seven passengers and less cargo space.
- Features: Includes more advanced safety features on some trims, like pedestrian detection and traffic-jam assist.
You can watch this video to see the differences in interior features between the two vehicles: 59sCar ConfectionsYouTube · Jan 9, 2019
Honda Pilot
- Practicality focus: Designed as a practical and spacious family SUV.
- Space: Larger vehicle with more headroom, second-row legroom, and cargo capacity, especially in the third row.
- Seating: Offers seating for up to eight people, whereas the MDX is limited to seven.
- Driving: Provides a more conventional and comfortable ride, though it can feel less engaging than the MDX.
This video discusses the cargo space and third-row seating of the two vehicles: 51sDietrich's Car ChannelYouTube · Sep 30, 2024
Similarities
- Platform: Both vehicles are built on a shared platform, meaning they have similar underpinnings.
- Powertrain: The base powertrain is very similar, often featuring the same or a very similar engine, especially for non-hybrid models.
- Towing: Both have the same maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with the all-wheel-drive system.
- Fuel Economy: The base models achieve similar EPA-estimated combined fuel economy.
This video compares the two vehicles in a drag race and discusses their similar powertrain: 57sThe Fast Lane CarYouTube · Nov 27, 2019
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 is the fanciest Honda Pilot?
Elite
The Elite is the most expensive option of the Pilot trims at $52,030.
