Honda’s ever popular three-row SUV has received significant updates in both performance and luxury, making it an attractive option for not only us, but those who want an everyday vehicle with the versatility to handle long road trips and off-road adventures alike. After a week with the 2025 version, we found it continues with the Honda Legacy.

Exterior: A Bolder Updated Look

The 2025 Pilot Black Edition came with a more aggressive, eye-catching look that immediately set it apart from previous models. The Black Edition featured a distinctive gloss-black grille, along with blacked-out exterior accents, and 20-inch black alloy wheels, giving it a sleek, almost stealthy presence on the road.

Subtle LED headlights and taillights added a modern touch, while the squared-off rear gave the SUV an even more muscular stance. Honda had added black roof rails for added utility, which not only looked great but also offered enhanced functionality for families who enjoy weekend camping trips or need extra cargo space.

We felt that the Pilot’s overall proportions gave it a sense of robustness without feeling oversized. The dual chrome exhaust outlets, standard on the Black Edition, again added an additional sporty flair that emphasized its unique blend of sophistication and ruggedness.

Interior: High-End Comfort Mets Practical Design

Inside, the Pilot impressed us even more featuring luxurious materials throughout and a well laid-out design. Honda used premium black leather upholstery with red contrast stitching, exclusive to the Black Edition trim, thus creating an atmosphere that felt both upscale and adventurous.

The Pilot’s cabin was spacious, with seating for up to eight people and a flexible layout that made it easy to configure the interior to accommodate passengers or cargo as needed. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional, however a great addition for families who prioritize easy access to the third row with enhanced comfort for middle-row passengers.

The third row offered ample legroom for adults, which is a rare feature in many three-row SUVs, this would make it perfect for long family road trips.

Honda has also included several convenient storage spaces, including a large center console with multiple compartments and deep door pockets for additional storage.

The cargo space was equally impressive, with up to 109.2 cubic feet of space when the second and third rows were folded down. Even with all seats in use, there was still 16.5 cubic feet of storage in the back, which made it great for Deanne as she made a Costco grocery run for work during the week..

Technology: Designed for Everyone’s Entertainment

The Pilot came packed with tech features that would be sure to keep everyone along for the ride connected and entertained. The centerpiece of the dashboard was a large 9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making our smartphone integration seamless every time we were in the SUV.

The infotainment system proved to have improved responsiveness, with intuitive menus and clear graphics that made it easy to navigate, even for some of us less tech-savvy users.

Honda also included a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging as standard options in the Black Edition, which would be a huge plus for families on the go. Rear-seat passengers were also well-catered for, with available rear USB ports and a rear entertainment system option that would help keep kids entertained during long drives.

The premium 10-speaker audio system, exclusive to the Black Edition, delivered clear and precises sound quality that added an extra layer of enjoyment for audiophiles.

Performance: Power and Efficiency in Balance

Under the hood, the 2025 Pilot came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain delivered smooth and good acceleration, making highway merging and passing effortless.

Honda has worked to improve the Pilot’s fuel efficiency, with the V6 offering an estimated 21 MPG combined, we were able to outdo that during our weekly drive getting 22.1 MPG.

The Pilot’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system, standard on the Black Edition, performed well in a variety of driving conditions, from city streets to rough terrain and even in an early winter storm in late October.

For those looking to take it off the beaten path, Honda has equipped the Pilot with a Trail Mode, which adjusted the vehicle’s traction and stability settings to optimize performance on loose surfaces like gravel or dirt.

On top of that, the Pilot Black Edition has a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, which meant it could easily haul a small trailer, boat, or ATVs for weekend adventures.

Safety: Honda Sensing and Beyond

Safety is a major highlight of the 2025 Pilot Black Edition, with a suite of Honda Sensing features included as standard. This advanced safety suite offered collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist, all of which made daily driving for us more secure and less stressful.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard, adding extra assurance when changing lanes or reversing. The Pilot’s internal structure has been reinforced to improve crash safety, and Honda’s attention to detail in this area was evident.

At the End of the Week: A Well-Rounded Family SUV with Flair

The 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition proved to be a well-rounded family SUV that combined practicality with a douse of luxury and style. It offered plenty of space for passengers and cargo, an impressive suite of safety and tech features, and performance that was both capable and refined.

The Black Edition’s distinct styling and high-end interior make it stand out in a crowded segment, and its off-road capabilities provided added versatility for adventurous families.

Base Price: $54,280

Destination Charge: $1,395

Price as Driven: $56,130