The 2025 Honda Pilot rolls into one other mannequin 12 months perched close to the highest of our rating for Finest Midsize SUVs. What makes the Pilot such a compelling choose on this aggressive section?
To begin, it’s straightforward to maneuver, has a cavernous inside, and comes with an important document for dependability and resale worth. It even seems more durable than it did earlier than earlier than its makeover final 12 months. Honda gave this technology of the Pilot a blockier, extra conventional SUV-like design.
The GMC Acadia can also be a 12 months faraway from a revamp. From its expansive infotainment display screen to the turbo 4-cylinder engine beneath the hood, the 2025 Acadia is greater and rides on a wheelbase that’s greater than 10 inches longer than the previous mannequin. It is a boon for carving out further house in all three rows.
Let’s browse highlights of the Honda Pilot and GMC Acadia.
2025 Honda Pilot


For the 2025 mannequin 12 months, Honda revised the Pilot’s trim construction. The bottom LX is not any extra. So now the six trims are: Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and the brand new range-topping Black Version. Pricing ranges from $41,595 for the Sport upward to $55,975 for the Black Version. Honda customers can select front- or all-wheel drive (AWD) on most trims. All-wheel drive comes commonplace on the rugged TrailSport, Elite, and upscale Black Version.
Customary options embody wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 USB ports, ambient inside lighting, and fabric upholstery. The Pilot additionally advantages from a number of commonplace driver aids, similar to adaptive cruise management, a driver consideration monitor, lane-keeping help, and lane departure warning.
Honda Pilot Highlights
Stroll Away Shut: That is excellent for these instances when you have got a number of stuff to hold and never sufficient arms for all the things. The Stroll Away Shut power-operated tailgate provides the particular person with the important thing fob 30 seconds earlier than it beeps and robotically shuts the rear hatch. Don’t fear; your head received’t get bumped. The system kicks into motion solely when it senses the important thing fob is greater than three toes from the automobile.
Cupholders for everybody: Honda engineers have to be a thirsty bunch. How else can we clarify the actual fact there are 14 cupholders all through the 7- to 8-passenger cabin? A lot of them are additionally able to holding a 32-ounce bottle.
TrailSport mannequin: This provides go-anywhere enjoyable to the Pilot lineup. The TrailSport comes with all-terrain tires, a full-size spare, stronger suspension settings, underbody skid plates, and a surround-view digital camera. It additionally comes with second-row captain’s chairs, making accessing the third row simpler.
Detachable seat: The Honda Pilot Touring and Elite fashions have a nifty function that provides extra seating, further storage, or better house for these within the second row. A detachable seat that doubles as a helpful console is positioned between the twin second-row captain’s chairs. It can be stowed in an underfloor compartment tucked within the cargo space.
Verify this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Pilot fashions on the market close to you.
2025 GMC Acadia


The GMC Acadia will get a complete reboot according to its mechanical sibling, the Chevrolet Traverse. Gone is the earlier mannequin’s V6 engine, and instead is a 328-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automated with a alternative of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive. Regardless of having two fewer cylinders, this powertrain has 18 extra horsepower than the outgoing V6.
There are three trims — Elevation, AT4, and Denali — and pricing begins at $44,295 for the bottom mannequin. Spring for the luxurious Denali, and the value will leap to $55,295. All costs embody vacation spot charges.
GMC Acadia Highlights
Tremendous Cruise: This hands-free freeway driving assist is a improbable addition to the Acadia lineup. Tremendous Cruise permits a driver to take their palms off the wheel and toes off the pedals — a digital camera system screens the driving force to make sure they’re wanting forward and nonetheless paying consideration. It’s programmed to work on greater than 400,000 miles of accepted divided highways stretching throughout North America. Fingers-free driving is unavailable within the Honda Pilot.
15-inch touchscreen: The biggest obtainable touchscreen within the Pilot measures 9 inches. Nicely, transfer over Honda as a result of each Acadia is outfitted with a 15-inch touchscreen that’s complemented by an 11-inch digital gauge cluster. This imparts a high-tech feel and look to the GMC.
Rugged AT4 trim: Have to enterprise off-road with a number of individuals and all their assorted stuff? The Acadia AT4 comes commonplace with all-wheel drive and is provided with all-terrain tires, further trip top, and a stronger suspension.
Posh Denali mannequin: There’s the Denali trim for many who want white glove remedy to mud-splattered adventuring. Because the top-of-the-line mannequin, it comes loaded with goodies like perforated leather-based seating, heated and ventilated entrance seats, a head-up instrument show, and obtainable 22-inch alloy wheels.
Verify this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Acadia fashions on the market close to you.
Similarities
The Honda Pilot and GMC Acadia are nonetheless basking within the afterglow of latest remakes. The three-row SUVs have the house customers need and the added grip of non-obligatory all-wheel drive.
Pricing
New 2025 Honda Pilot Costs
New 2025 GMC Acadia Costs
The Kelley Blue Guide Honest Buy Value for any particular person used automobile can differ significantly based on mileage, situation, location, and different components.
The costs right here mirror what patrons are at the moment paying for New 2025 Honda Pilot autos and New 2025 GMC Acadia autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s urged retail worth (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
Specs
2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 GMC Acadia | |
Fashionable Powertrains | ||
Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 328 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
Transmission | 10-speed automated | 8-speed automated |
Gasoline economic system MPG | 19 metropolis/27 freeway/22 mixed | 20 metropolis/27 freeway/23 mixed |
Additionally Accessible | AWD | AWD |
Specs | ||
Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
NHTSA Total Security | 5 stars | 5 stars |
Max Seating Capability | 8 | 7 |
Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 120.9 inches |
Total Size | 199.9 inches | 203.9 inches |
Width | 78.5 inches | 79.5 inches |
Peak | 71.0 inches | 70.9 inches |
Turning Diameter | 37.8 toes | 39 toes |
Headroom, Entrance | 40.5 inches | 42.6 inches |
Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.2 inches | 40.0 inches |
Headroom, third Row | 39.3 inches | 38.2 inches |
Legroom, Entrance | 41.0 inches | 44.2 inches |
Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.8 inches | 41.3 inches |
Legroom, third Row | 32.5 inches | 32.1 inches |
Shoulder Room, Entrance | 61.9 inches | 62.0 inches |
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 62.0 inches |
Shoulder Room, third Row | 59.5 inches | 57.9 inches |
Cargo Quantity | 18.6 cubic toes | 23.0 cubic toes |
Conclusion
These two SUVs are equally worthy of a check drive. They’ve benefited from latest makeovers which have added extra tech, further security gear, better off-road functionality, and improved storage options. For some, the decrease entry worth of the Honda Pilot may very well be the deciding issue. Nonetheless, this worth hole narrows when evaluating their most well-appointed trims. GMC ought to be applauded for ramping up the status and efficiency of the Acadia. The stretch in wheelbase makes the third-row seating vastly extra snug, and cargo house behind these seats is 80% better than the earlier iteration.
Is it slightly dearer than the Honda Pilot? Usually talking, the GMC will probably ask for extra out of your pockets. However may the additional outlay be price it for that highly effective turbo 4-cylinder, stylish cabin with massive screens, and obtainable Tremendous Cruise? We’d name that cash effectively spent.