Honestly, choosing a three-row SUV is usually a choice between "I need more space" and "I don't want to feel like I'm driving a school bus." It’s a tough balance. You look at the 2025 Honda Pilot and see a whole ladder of trims, from the basic Sport to the "look at me" Black Edition. But if you're actually looking for the smartest way to spend your money without losing the "cool" features, the Honda Pilot Touring 2025 is basically the answer.
It’s the trim that gives you the fancy Bose speakers and the panoramic roof without forcing you to pay for the Elite's ventilated seats if you don't really need them.
What Makes the Touring Different?
Most people get confused by the mid-tier jump. You’ve got the EX-L, which is fine, but it feels a little "rental car plus." Then there’s the TrailSport, which is great if you actually go to the mountains every weekend, but the tires are loud on the highway.
The Touring lands right in the middle. It’s for the family that wants the 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System because, let's face it, kids' movies and podcasts sound better when they aren't coming through tinny speakers.
One of the coolest things about this specific trim? The stowable second-row center seat. You’ve probably seen the "removable seat" marketing before, but in the Honda Pilot Touring 2025, there is a literal hidden compartment under the rear cargo floor to store the seat when you aren't using it. It turns your eight-passenger hauler into a seven-passenger captain’s chair setup in about sixty seconds.
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No more leaving a heavy seat in your grease-stained garage.
Real Talk on Performance and MPG
Under the hood, you’re getting the same 3.5-liter V6 as every other Pilot. It’s got 285 horsepower. Is it fast? Not really. It’s a 4,600-pound box. But it’s smooth. The 10-speed automatic transmission is a massive improvement over the older 9-speeds Honda used to use, though it can still be a little "lazy" to downshift when you're trying to merge quickly on a short on-ramp.
- City MPG: 19
- Highway MPG: 27 (for FWD)
- Combined: About 21 or 22 depending on how heavy your foot is.
If you opt for the i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive system—which, let's be real, most people do—your highway mileage drops to 25. It’s a thirsty beast in stop-and-go traffic. Don't let the "Eco" button fool you; it mostly just makes the gas pedal feel like it's stuck in mud.
The Interior "Vibe" Check
Inside, the Touring gets the "good" leather. It feels more substantial than the stuff in the lower trims. You also get the 9-inch touchscreen which is... okay. Honestly, in a world where screens are getting bigger than iPads, a 9-inch screen feels a bit 2019. But it has a physical volume knob. Praise be.
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The CabinTalk system is standard here too. It’s basically a PA system so you can yell at the kids in the third row without actually yelling. Your voice comes through the rear speakers or their headphones. It’s a little terrifying for them, which is exactly the point.
Why the Honda Pilot Touring 2025 Wins Over the Elite
You might be tempted to just go "all out" and get the Elite or the Black Edition. Before you do that, look at what you’re actually paying for. The Elite adds a Head-Up Display, ventilated front seats, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
Is that worth an extra $4,000 to $5,000?
For most of us, probably not. The Honda Pilot Touring 2025 already includes the panoramic moonroof and the hands-free power tailgate. It has the acoustic glass in the front doors to keep the cabin quiet. It has the same 5,000-pound towing capacity (if you get AWD).
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Safety Stuff You'll Actually Use
Honda Sensing is standard, obviously. But the Touring trim includes the stuff that actually helps in a grocery store parking lot:
- Parking Sensors: Front and rear. Essential for a car this wide.
- Cross Traffic Monitor: Because you can't see around that massive SUV parked next to you.
- Low-Speed Braking Control: It stops you from backing into your own trash cans.
One weird thing to note: Liz Kim and other reviewers have mentioned that the Lane Keeping Assist can feel a bit "jerky" on curvy roads. It's not a self-driving car. It’s a "stay in your lane" helper. Keep your hands on the wheel.
Space: The Final Frontier
If you fold everything down, you get about 87 cubic feet of space. That’s enough to fit a small couch or a very ambitious trip to Costco. Even with the third row up, you’ve still got 18.6 cubic feet. That’s enough for a few bags of groceries, but don't expect to fit eight people and eight suitcases.
The legroom in the second row is massive (over 40 inches). The third row? It’s better than a Toyota Highlander, but it’s still a "kids only" zone for trips longer than twenty minutes.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re serious about the Honda Pilot Touring 2025, don't just walk into a dealership and pay MSRP. Here is how to actually buy one:
- Test the "Stowable Seat" yourself. Some people find it heavy. Try taking it out and putting it in the floor compartment before you buy. If it’s too much work, you might prefer the TrailSport's permanent captain's chairs.
- Check the AWD vs FWD inventory. In many states, dealers only stock AWD. If you live in a flat, warm climate, hunting down a FWD model will save you $2,100 upfront and a couple of bucks at every gas station visit.
- Compare the Bose system. Bring your own music. Play it in an EX-L and then play it in the Touring. If you can't hear the difference, the EX-L might be the better value for you.
- Look at the 2026 rumors. Since we are already in 2026, check if there are "leftover" 2025 models on the lot. Honda didn't change much for the new year, so a 2025 Touring with a "clearance" discount is the ultimate pro move.
The Pilot isn't the flashiest SUV on the block. It’s not a luxury German cruiser. But the Touring trim is the most "complete" version of a car that just works for real life.