2024 Mazda CX-5 vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its appealing design from its 2017 debut, with only minor updates. The new Carbon Turbo trim featured Zircon Sand paint and exclusive Terracotta leather seats, enhancing its modern look. Mazda improved fuel economy for the base engine and added wireless charging and connectivity options. The CX-5 offered a range of trims with prices starting at $29,300, providing an upscale feel at a mainstream price.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Pilot, particularly in the Black Edition, showcased a rugged yet suburban-friendly design. The Black Edition featured blacked-out trim and red accents, but some paint colors diminished its visual impact. The Pilot's interior was thoughtfully designed for families, though the digital displays appeared dated. Despite its attractive exterior, the Pilot's cabin lacked a significant "wow factor."

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo delivered 256 hp with premium gas and 227 hp with regular gas. Its powertrain was more rewarding with gradual acceleration, though fuel efficiency was unimpressive at 24 mpg combined. The CX-5 offered excellent visibility and a sophisticated driving experience, with a quiet interior and lively handling. It could tow up to 2,000 pounds and handled various terrains with ease.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 hp, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes and could tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Pilot's AWD system provided good off-road capability, but the transmission occasionally felt sluggish. Fuel economy was below expectations, averaging 20 mpg. The Pilot's handling was predictable, though body motion was noticeable on uneven roads.

The Mazda CX-5's interior was comfortable, with standard heated front seats and quality materials. It offered leather upholstery on most trims and a snug but supportive rear seat. Cargo space was limited, with 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The Honda Pilot excelled in family-friendly design, with three rows of seating and ample storage solutions. The Black Edition's front passenger seat lacked adjustability, but overall comfort was high. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with seats folded.

Mazda's approach to infotainment favored traditional controls, with a 10.25-inch display and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, though the voice interface needed improvement. A 10-speaker Bose sound system added to the premium feel.

The Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel. It included wireless smartphone integration and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the wireless charging pad was poorly designed. The CabinTalk feature was a useful addition for families.

The Mazda CX-5 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. It received five-star ratings from NHTSA, though it missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation for 2024.

The Honda Pilot offered a robust set of Honda Sensing safety features, with additional parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. However, some safety systems, like adaptive cruise control, showed inconsistent performance.