Everything on the upcoming 2025 Honda Pilot will be new. The Japanese company is finally redesigning the flagship SUV. The facelift will make Pilot eye-catching; the interior is safer and cozier; the powertrain room gets a hybrid unit. With all these updates, expectations are very high. Experts see the upcoming SUV as one of the best-sellers in the mid-size three-row class.
Nevertheless, the competition is more than tough. Well, Honda is still capable of doing great stuff. They already did it with Pilot, but nearly 10 years ago when the current version was introduced. It stole the attention and became one of the favorite family SUVs. Now, Honda needs a similar outcome.
Details about the 2025 Honda Pilot redesign are limited. There is a lot of time until the official debut and the company doesn’t want to unveil too much because of the competition. We are also following the updates on the Honda Ridgeline, a truck that shares the platform with the SUV. Similar design language and probably the same hybrid unit will be used on both vehicles.
Next-Gen 2025 Honda Pilot Changes and New Features
Honda has big plans for its SUVs and trucks. Of course, as a flagship model, the Pilot is going to get the best features. However, it seems like the all-new Passport is about to debut soon with a fresh styling. Finally, the two models will look different and we will recognize them easier than before. At the same time, the company is also testing the new Ridgeline. For example, the truck will get the TrailSport package that debuted on the Pilot last year.
Anyhow, the existence of Passport and Ridgeline prototypes doesn’t guarantee the 2025 Honda Pilot is going to pick up some design cues from its siblings. The SUV will probably sit higher off the ground. The new clearance will be around 9 inches. The TrailSport package lifts the suspension. A complete interior overhaul will make more room for passengers. Still, the SUV should be significantly larger to accommodate adults in the third row.
2025 Honda Pilot Hybrid Specs; Will There Be a PHEV?
A fresh look is about to draw attention, as the current model did after the 2015 redesign. But, what keeps selling Pilots is a great engine. A 3.5-liter V6 is one of the most reliable units out there. But, the powerplant is a bit thirsty, especially compared to rivals and their outputs. A V6 can deliver 290 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough. Combined, the gas mileage is 23 mpg. Just to compare – the Toyota Highlander will return 35 mpg with a hybrid unit.
That is why the 2025 Honda Pilot hybrid is the most important upgrade we expect. However, we don’t know what kind of system the new configuration is going to deploy. An electrification of a current setup is the first thought. Honda also had a mix of battery and a V6 in the past. But, it was a 3.0-liter displacement. Fans think it is removed from the Acura MDX for an update. A more efficient system would definitely be welcome. The company could also try with a smaller engine.
Finally, we might see the 2025 Honda Pilot PHEV. The SUV was spotted with this kind of powertrain back in 2020. But, the pandemic postponed the development and the release of the plug-in hybrid engine. Now, it would be the right time for such an upgrade. We’ll see what engineers at Honda are preparing.
Trailsport and Other Trims
The SUV will introduce a lot of novelties. However, the company is using some standards when it comes to trim levels. The right time for novelties is now when the flagship vehicle is about to debut. The first one didn’t wait for the new generation – the Trailsport package. This is a specialist for off-road drive and difficult terrains. Well, it can’t be a match to the 4Runner TRD Pro or Jeep Wrangler, but it is very cool to see Honda in a new segment. Elite and Touring will still be the top-of-the-range versions, but this time with more advanced options and premium features.
New 2025 Honda Pilot Debuts Late in 2024
The release date of the new SUV is set for the next fall. Honda keeps the development process a top-secret, so not too many details are leaking. We know a few things, but the majority is going to be unveiled at the premiere.
First Price Estimations
Since the 2025 Honda Pilot is an all-new model, the price is expected to rise compared to the current edition. The entry-level model costs $37,000. The new one will be much closer to $40k. TrailSport adds around $12,000 compared to the base MSRP and the most expensive configuration is Elite. The PHEV engine won’t make the SUV more affordable. This setup starts from $50k, at least.
