2025 Acura MDX vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trims, including the Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Black Edition, evaluated in Southern California, featured a Modern Steel paint and had an MSRP of $55,975. It was based on the Pilot Elite and showcased black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it offered black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The Pilot's rugged design, introduced in 2023, was more suited for suburban environments, with the TrailSport trim offering off-road capabilities. The interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital displays appeared dated.

The 2025 Acura MDX received subtle styling updates, including a new grille and revised bumpers. Interior changes were more significant, with a new touchscreen infotainment system replacing the touchpad interface, adding more storage. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The cabin was quieter due to added sound insulation. The MDX's quality remained high, though the gloss black plastic trim was prone to collecting dust. Controls were logically placed, and the new A-Spec Advance trim offered a blend of luxury and sportiness. The MDX's pricing started at $50,900, with the Type S Advance topping the lineup at $74,950.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The AWD system provided hill descent control and torque vectoring, with up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance. The Pilot's V6 delivered good acceleration, though the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was a concern, with an average of 20 mpg during testing. The suspension was compliant, offering a comfortable ride, though it exhibited unwanted body motion on mountain roads.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX offered Comfort, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Individual driving modes. The A-Spec Advance trim, tested with SH-AWD, weighed over 4,500 pounds. The MDX provided smooth and consistent handling, though it allowed some roll in corners. Fuel economy averaged 18.4 mpg during testing. The MDX excelled in typical driving situations, offering a firm and communicative ride. It was not designed for off-roading, with limited ground clearance unless equipped with the Type S Advance's air suspension.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. The Black Edition's front passenger seat lacked adjustability, which was a drawback for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for adults for short trips. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions in the Advance trims. The second row could be configured as a bench or individual seats, with a pass-through to the third row. The third row was less comfortable for adults, with limited leg support. The MDX provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. In-cabin storage was adequate, with a new center console tray and wireless charging pad.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional. The Pilot included a CabinTalk feature for communication with rear passengers and a small head-up display.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, eliminating the previous touchpad interface. The system was intuitive, with seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The MDX featured an upgraded sound system, with Bang & Olufsen audio available in higher trims. The digital instrumentation display was simple and easy to use, and the head-up display provided comprehensive data. The MDX Advance trims included a surround-view camera system for enhanced visibility.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came equipped with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Edition also had parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control system had some issues, and the lane-centering assist affected steering feel. The Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured AcuraWatch driver assistance technologies, with an expanded AcuraWatch 360 available on the Type S Advance. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. AcuraWatch 360 added front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX's safety systems performed well, though the lane-departure warning was less refined. The MDX retained its five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the 2025 model.