Hey guys! Thinking about snagging a 2025 Honda Pilot but stuck between the Sport and EXL trims? No worries, I got you covered! I'm here to break down the key differences, so you can confidently choose the perfect ride for your needs and budget. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the best decision.

Overview of the 2025 Honda Pilot

Before we get into the specifics of the Sport and EXL trims, let's take a quick look at what the 2025 Honda Pilot brings to the table. The Honda Pilot is known for being a reliable, spacious, and family-friendly SUV. For 2025, it continues to offer a blend of comfort, technology, and performance that makes it a popular choice in its class. Whether you're hauling kids to school, heading out on a road trip, or just running errands around town, the Pilot is designed to handle it all with ease.

The 2025 model boasts a robust V6 engine, providing plenty of power for confident acceleration and towing. It also features a smooth-shifting transmission and available all-wheel drive, enhancing its capabilities in various driving conditions. Inside, you'll find a well-designed cabin with comfortable seating and a user-friendly infotainment system. Plus, with Honda's reputation for reliability, you can count on the 2025 Pilot to be a dependable companion for years to come. The Pilot continues to be a top contender with its blend of practicality, comfort, and reliability in the competitive SUV market.

2025 Honda Pilot Sport

The 2025 Honda Pilot Sport is the entry-level trim, but don't let that fool you – it still packs a punch! It’s designed to offer a great balance of essential features and affordability. If you're looking for a capable SUV without breaking the bank, the Sport trim is definitely worth considering.

Key Features of the 2025 Honda Pilot Sport:

• Engine: A powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower. This engine provides ample power for daily driving and long trips, ensuring you never feel like you're lacking in performance.
• Infotainment: A user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen. It includes essential features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone for navigation, music, and calls.
• Safety: Standard Honda Sensing suite of safety features. This comprehensive suite includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking, providing added peace of mind on the road.
• Seating: Three rows of seating with comfortable cloth upholstery. The Sport trim offers ample space for passengers and cargo, making it ideal for families.
• Wheels: 18-inch alloy wheels that enhance the vehicle's appearance. These wheels provide a stylish and sporty look while maintaining a comfortable ride quality.

The Sport trim is an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers who don't want to compromise on essential features and performance. It provides a solid foundation with its powerful engine, standard safety tech, and comfortable interior. If you're okay with cloth seats and a smaller infotainment screen, the Sport trim offers incredible value for the price.

2025 Honda Pilot EXL

Stepping up to the 2025 Honda Pilot EXL trim, you'll find a noticeable upgrade in terms of features and luxury. The EXL is designed to provide a more premium experience, with added comfort, convenience, and technology. If you're willing to spend a bit more for these extras, the EXL trim is definitely worth the investment.

Key Features of the 2025 Honda Pilot EXL:

• Leather Upholstery: Luxurious leather seats that add a touch of elegance to the interior. Leather upholstery not only looks great but also provides enhanced comfort and durability.
• Infotainment: An upgraded 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen and wireless connectivity make it easier to access your favorite apps and features on the go.
• Sunroof: A power sunroof that lets in natural light and fresh air. The sunroof adds an open and airy feel to the cabin, enhancing the overall driving experience.
• Power Tailgate: A power tailgate for convenient access to the cargo area. This feature is especially helpful when your hands are full, allowing you to open and close the tailgate with the touch of a button.
• Blind Spot Monitoring: A blind spot monitoring system that alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots. This safety feature provides added awareness and helps prevent accidents when changing lanes.

The EXL trim is perfect for those who want a more luxurious and feature-rich SUV. The leather seats, larger infotainment screen, and added convenience features like the power tailgate make it a more enjoyable and comfortable ride. If you value these upgrades and are willing to pay a premium, the EXL trim is an excellent choice.

Key Differences: Sport vs. EXL

Okay, let's break down the real differences between these two trims. This is where you'll see where your money is really going. Here's a quick rundown:

• Comfort and Convenience: The EXL shines here. You get leather seats (so fancy!), a power tailgate (no more struggling with groceries!), and a sunroof (hello, sunshine!). The Sport keeps it simple with cloth seats and manual tailgate operation.
• Technology: The EXL boasts a bigger 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport has a smaller 7-inch screen and requires a wired connection.
• Safety: Both trims come standard with Honda Sensing, but the EXL adds blind-spot monitoring for extra peace of mind.
• Price: This is the big one. The Sport is the more affordable option, while the EXL commands a higher price tag due to its added features. The Sport is really great for people that want the base features of the vehicle without all the extra bells and whistles.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

Good news, guys! Both the Sport and EXL trims share the same powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine and transmission. That means you'll get the same great performance and fuel efficiency regardless of which trim you choose. Whether you're merging onto the highway or navigating city streets, you can expect a smooth and responsive driving experience from both models.

• Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 285 horsepower
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Fuel Economy (FWD): 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
• Fuel Economy (AWD): 19 mpg city / 25 mpg highway

The similar fuel economy is an important consideration, ensuring that the cost of ownership remains relatively consistent between the two trims, aside from the initial purchase price and potential maintenance differences related to the upgraded features of the EXL.

Interior and Exterior

While both trims share the same basic body style and overall design, there are some subtle differences in the interior and exterior that set them apart. These differences mainly come down to materials and finishes.

Interior:

• Sport: Cloth upholstery, basic trim accents
• EXL: Leather upholstery, upgraded trim accents, available second-row captain's chairs

Exterior:

• Sport: 18-inch alloy wheels, standard exterior lighting
• EXL: 18-inch alloy wheels, available chrome accents, power tailgate

The EXL trim offers a more premium and refined look both inside and out, with its leather seats, upgraded trim, and available chrome accents. The Sport trim, on the other hand, has a more understated and practical appearance.

Which Trim is Right for You?

Okay, the million-dollar question: which trim should you choose? Here’s my take:

• Choose the Sport if: You're on a budget, but still want a reliable and spacious SUV with essential features. You don't mind cloth seats and a smaller touchscreen.
• Choose the EXL if: You're willing to spend more for a more luxurious and feature-rich experience. You value leather seats, a larger touchscreen, and added convenience features like a power tailgate.

Ultimately, the best trim for you depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Consider what features are most important to you and weigh the pros and cons of each trim accordingly. Take both for a test drive and see which one feels like the better fit!

Consider your typical use cases: are you frequently transporting passengers, requiring the comfort and convenience of the EXL’s features, or are you primarily focused on utility and value, making the Sport a more sensible choice? Thinking about these scenarios can help clarify which trim aligns best with your lifestyle.

Final Verdict

Both the 2025 Honda Pilot Sport and EXL are fantastic SUVs. The Sport offers incredible value, while the EXL provides a more premium experience. You really can't go wrong with either one! I hope this comparison has helped you narrow down your choices. Happy car shopping, and I'll see you on the road!