2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trim levels, including the Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Sport trim was the most affordable, but it lacked many appealing amenities, making the leather-lined EX-L model a more recommended choice. Prices ranged from $40,200 to $54,580, plus a $1,395 destination charge. The Black Edition, which we evaluated in Southern California, featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it boasted 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, and while the interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 was considered one of the most attractive vehicles in the small SUV class, with its graceful curves and timeless design. Despite not being redesigned since 2017, it stood out without relying on gimmicks. The interior featured nicer-than-average materials and a layout that bridged the gap between older analog cockpits and newer digital trends. While it lacked a massive infotainment touchscreen, the physical buttons, knobs, and gauges made it more user-friendly. The CX-5's interior was comparable to last-generation Acura or Lexus models, offering a more special feel than similarly priced crossovers from Honda or Toyota.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This drivetrain allowed most Pilot models to tow up to 5,000 pounds. It offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The AWD system, with torque vectoring, provided up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance (8.3 inches for the TrailSport). While the V6 offered good acceleration, the transmission sometimes felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with an average of 20 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 21 mpg. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, but an adaptive-damping suspension system would have benefited the Elite and Black Edition models.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a Turbo model with 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was standard. The base engine accelerated the CX-5 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, while the Turbo model did it in about 6 seconds. The CX-5 was capable on winding roads, with sporty driving dynamics and minimal body roll. The ride quality was slightly firmer, but the cabin remained quiet, filtering out wind and road noise.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat in the Black Edition had limited adjustment options, which could be a deal-breaker for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for captain's chairs. The third row was habitable for adults if the second row slid forward. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior scored points for design and refinement but lacked practicality and space compared to rivals. While rear legroom was better than the RAV4, the CR-V and Sportage offered more room. The CX-5 provided 30.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 58.1 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. The cargo area was wide and flat, with helpful latches for easy stowing. The front seats had moderately sized cupholders and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the wireless CarPlay function had issues, and the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, and a small head-up display was included.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment display mounted atop the dash, controlled via a dial on the center console. The dial worked well, allowing for easy operation while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be controlled via the touchscreen or dial, with wireless integration available in the midrange Premium Plus trim. The base trim had a four-speaker audio system, while the Signature model featured a 10-speaker Bose premium system. Remote vehicle monitoring and control were available through a smartphone app.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was equipped with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition had parking sensors and a multi-view camera system with TrailWatch technology. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had issues, affecting driver confidence. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 received five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The 2024 model earned a "Good" rating in all IIHS tests and a Top Safety Pick rating. All CX-5 trims came with standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Plus trim added adaptive headlights and a surround-view camera system. The Turbo Signature trim included a driver attention monitor and rear automatic braking.