I drove Honda's updated $55,000 Pilot family SUV. It's not fancy but is impossible to dislike.

Benjamin ZhangAug 17, 2024, 18:38 IST

The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite in Radiant Red.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Alabama-made Honda Pilot is one of the most popular three-row, midsize family SUVs today.</li><li>I was impressed by the Pilot's smooth V6 engine, smartly designed cabin, and superb quality.</li></ul>When the original Pilot debuted in 2003, the Odyssey minivan was the go-to model in the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/honda-15500-tiny-electric-truck-japan-photos-look-inside-2024-6">Honda</a> lineup when you needed room for the whole family.Even though the Odyssey is still around today, the three-row Pilot SUV is the preferred Honda family hauler, competing against the Toyota Highlander, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hyundai-palisade-review-luxury-family-suv-cool-tech-safety-features-2024-6">Hyundai Palisade</a>, Nissan Pathfinder, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subaru-ascent-suv-review-great-family-suv-safety-tech-2024-5">Subaru Ascent</a>.The current fourth-generation Pilot debuted to a warm response from consumers in 2023, with sales growing by 11% to more than 110,000 units sold last year.

I recently spent a week driving around suburban Atlanta in a Radiant Red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite AWD.

The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came to $54,630.

The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite in Radiant Red.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

For the fourth-generation Pilot, Honda went for a boxy, truck-like look.

The Pilot's front facia.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Out back, the square theme continues.

The 2025 Pilot's rear end.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot is one of the largest SUVs in its class.

The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All variants of the Pilot are powered by Honda's new 3.5-liter J-Series V6 engine.

The Pilot's new 3.5 liter V6 engine.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot Elite puts its power to the road through Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.

The Pilot's liftgate.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot was pleasant to drive but far from a standout.

The Pilot's front cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot's cabin isn't luxurious, but perfect for everyday life.

The Pilot's front dash.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The driver's seat felt comfortable with good adjustability.

The Pilot's driver's seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a nicely weighted, heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Pilot's steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Elite and Black Edition trim Pilots have a configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument display.

The Pilot's optional digital instrument cluster.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Sitting atop the front dash is a nine-inch touchscreen display. That's where the Pilot falls short.

The Pilot's 9-inch infotainment screen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The infotainment screen is also home to the Pilot's surround-view camera.

The Pilot's surround-camera system.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Below the infotainment screen are the climate controls.

The Pilot's climate controls.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Honda's unique pushed button shifter dominates the center console.

The Pilot's center console.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot's center console boasts a variety of charging options.

The Pilot's wireless charger, 12V socket, and USB plugs.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Above the center console is a folding panoramic conversation mirror that helps the driver keep an eye on the passengers.

The Pilot's panoramic conversation mirror and CabinTalk feature.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car was equipped with a sweet-sounding, 12-speaker Bose system.

A Bose speaker.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came equipped with a large panoramic moonroof.

The panoramic moonroof.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The pilot boasts one of the roomiest cabins in the segment, with space for up to 8 occupants.

The Pilot's rear cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The middle seat module can be easily lifted out and stored under the cargo floor to facilitate easier access to the third row.

The Pilot's removable middle second-row seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot bosts an impressive 40.8 inches of second-row legroom.

The Pilot's second-row bench seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Second-row passengers have access to dedicated climate controls and a bevy of device charging options.

The Pilot's rear cabin climate controls and power sources.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot's third row is the roomiest I've seen in this segment.

The Pilot's third-row.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the hands-free automatic liftgate, and you'll find 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats.

The Pilot's cargo compartment.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the cargo floor is a deep well for additional storage.

The Pilot's underfloor storage compartment.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Fold the third row down, and cargo space expands.

The Pilot cargo space with seats folded.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot is equipped with a host of advanced safety and driver's assistance tech.

The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My Verdict: It's not fancy, but I dare you not to like it.

The Pilot's driver's side.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I stayed in a bare-bones bungalow inside Kruger National Park. It was a good value, but I'm not sure I'd do it again.

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I drove Honda's updated $55,000 Pilot family SUV. It's not fancy but is impossible to dislike.

I recently spent a week driving around suburban Atlanta in a Radiant Red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite AWD.

My test car came to $54,630.

For the fourth-generation Pilot, Honda went for a boxy, truck-like look.

Out back, the square theme continues.

The Pilot is one of the largest SUVs in its class.

All variants of the Pilot are powered by Honda's new 3.5-liter J-Series V6 engine.

The Pilot Elite puts its power to the road through Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.

The Pilot was pleasant to drive but far from a standout.

The Pilot's cabin isn't luxurious, but perfect for everyday life.

The driver's seat felt comfortable with good adjustability.

In front of the driver is a nicely weighted, heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Elite and Black Edition trim Pilots have a configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument display.

Sitting atop the front dash is a nine-inch touchscreen display. That's where the Pilot falls short.

The infotainment screen is also home to the Pilot's surround-view camera.

Below the infotainment screen are the climate controls.

Honda's unique pushed button shifter dominates the center console.

The Pilot's center console boasts a variety of charging options.

Above the center console is a folding panoramic conversation mirror that helps the driver keep an eye on the passengers.

My test car was equipped with a sweet-sounding, 12-speaker Bose system.

My test car came equipped with a large panoramic moonroof.

The pilot boasts one of the roomiest cabins in the segment, with space for up to 8 occupants.

The middle seat module can be easily lifted out and stored under the cargo floor to facilitate easier access to the third row.

The Pilot bosts an impressive 40.8 inches of second-row legroom.

Second-row passengers have access to dedicated climate controls and a bevy of device charging options.

The Pilot's third row is the roomiest I've seen in this segment.

Open the hands-free automatic liftgate, and you'll find 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats.

Under the cargo floor is a deep well for additional storage.

Fold the third row down, and cargo space expands.

The Pilot is equipped with a host of advanced safety and driver's assistance tech.

My Verdict: It's not fancy, but I dare you not to like it.