2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic rugged appearance, characterized by a burly, body-on-frame design. Despite the variety of powertrains and off-road systems, the Wrangler's look remained consistent across models. Notable changes included a redesigned grille, initially seen on the 2023 Rubicon, which was shorter and wider to improve airflow. The integration of the antenna into the windshield was a practical upgrade, preventing it from snagging on branches during off-road adventures. Additionally, the Wrangler offered 10 new wheel designs and various roof options, including soft-top, hard-top, and retractable sunroof configurations, allowing for a customizable open-air experience.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Pilot presented a more refined and suburban-friendly aesthetic. The Black Edition trim featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and exclusive red accents inside, creating a distinctive look. While the Pilot aimed for a rugged appearance with its TrailSport trim, the Black Edition was more suited for urban environments. The interior boasted quality materials and thoughtful design, though the digital displays appeared dated compared to competitors. Despite this, the Pilot offered practical storage solutions and a comfortable cabin, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engines, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower, a plug-in hybrid version with 375 horsepower, a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower, and a powerful 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower. Various transfer cases provided different levels of off-road capability, with options like the Command-Trac and Rock-Trac systems. The Wrangler 392, with its full-time 4WD Selec-Trac system, delivered impressive speed and off-road prowess. The 4xe PHEV model combined a turbo engine with electric motors, offering 21 miles of all-electric range and matching the 392 in torque. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Wrangler's ride quality on pavement was less refined, though improvements in sound deadening were noted.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The Pilot's AWD system, with torque vectoring and hill descent control, provided up to 8.3 inches of ground clearance in the TrailSport trim. While the V6 offered good acceleration, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was a concern, with observed averages below EPA ratings. The Pilot's handling was predictable, though an adaptive-damping suspension could enhance ride quality in higher trims.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler saw an increase in towing capacity to 5,000 pounds for specific models, thanks to a new full-float solid rear axle. Inside, the Wrangler offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with new 12-way power adjustable front seats. The 4xe model included a 30-amp Power Box, allowing for the use of various accessories. Despite these features, ventilated seats were not available.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seating and thoughtful storage solutions. The Black Edition's front row offered a 10-way power seat for the driver but only a four-way adjustment for the passenger. The second row was spacious, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The Pilot's cargo space was generous, with up to 86.5 cubic feet available with rear seats folded. Features like a hands-free power tailgate and triple-zone climate control added to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was notably faster, especially when accessing Off-Road Pages. The Trails Offroad feature provided guidance on over 200 trails, with an optional subscription for more. Additional features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and multiple user profiles.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen. Despite this, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Pilot's voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the wireless phone charging pad was prone to interruptions. The CabinTalk feature allowed for easy communication with rear passengers, while a small head-up display provided basic information.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, with options for blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Wrangler lacked lane-keeping assist and other highway features. Previous NHTSA ratings for the 2023 model were four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. IIHS rated it "Good" in roof strength but "Moderate" in frontal and side crashes.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came with a comprehensive suite of Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Black Edition added parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist had performance issues. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA awarding it five stars overall.