We are going to purchase a Pilot in spring of 2025. Everything we seen so far we love. So highly recommend this vehicle? We are a family of 4 our kids are young teens so this might be perfect.
I would highly recommend the Pilot. Space might be a little tight, though, if there are six total of you (assuming you’re using the 3rd row) in the vehicle for long trips plus baggage.
Likely a combination of more advanced motor oils, increased engine oil capacities, greater internal engine lubrication ability…and a desire by manufacturers to reduce the number of “free” oil changes on some new cars that they have to reimburse dealers for.
Great review! We just ordered a 2025 Elite, same Grey exterior color. The infotainment screen is a ridiculous oversight - but when test driving the car it was not a deal breaker. The quality of everything else is so good. Thanks for the thorough and balanced review from a real owner!
Appreciate your kind comment! Glad the video was helpful. More real estate on the info screen (and better integration with the dash) would be nice, but I think you’ll find it perfectly adequate. Enjoy your new Pilot!
Important. How good and accurate is the gps and navigation system. I have a 2016 Pilot where everything else is really good, but the navigation system is pitiful. Upgrades are equally pitiful. I understand that most people use their cellphones, but the VEHICLE should have a very good one too.
Good question. The native navigation system on my 2023 is not a strongpoint. It’s a bit cumbersome to use. Thankfully the wireless Apple CarPlay works well and I just use my iPhone’s Google Maps which displays perfectly on the Pilot’s infotainment display.
My local Honda dealers were asking for MSRP along with some useless appearance add ons, so I went with Lexus TX350 with almost 6K off……I still like the Pilot a lot though.
That is one clean AP2 and one pristine looking engine bay. Although I don’t own a S2000 myself, I enjoyed the thoroughness and attention to detail you showed in the video.
Yes, there is some ambient lighting. Primary place I notice is on the front driver and passenger door cards. Overall very thoughtful ambient lighting on key places where you might look or reach for things.
Have you not changed the cabin filter?? Or the engine air filter??? And I didn't see if you added a fuel cleaner at some point..... At 26k miles you probably should do a good fuel cleaner
Thx for pointing this out. I have changed my cabin filter and engine air filter and forgot to mention those in the vid. I have not done a fuel treatment yet.
Good stuff! I’m glad these inserts are serviceable. I know for some you may have to replace the whole wiper as a unit (I believe the new Civics are like this).
Can I ask how smooth your transmission has been? I have a 2024 with 8,000 miles now and the transmission is still jerky at low speeds. Both up and down shifts below 30mph. I’ve taken it in to the dealer and they said to give it more time to break in. I thought 8,000 would be enough but it’s still jerky at times. What has your experience been?
I think I know what you’re referring to. Yes, below 30mph there can be some slight jerkyness, especially when trying to easily lope along between 20-30 mph and the lower gearing creates something that feels like a bit of engine compression that in turn causes the transmission to check up. For me I notice it most in slow speed commuter traffic or driving slower in my nhood. Hard to describe but it hasn’t concerned me from a mechanical standpoint. To me feels like a characteristic of this second gen 10 speed auto. Outside of this characteristic, I have found the transmission to be very smooth and responsive. Your experience like what I describe?
@@FourTheWheels I get an occasional surge when accelerating between 1st and 2nd gear. I also get a jolt when slowing down around 25mph. Almost like the car lets out the clutch too quickly and it upsets the smoothness of the transition between gears. I’m more inclined to think it’s a programming issue than a mechanical fault. At least that’s what I’m hoping. I planned on keeping this car for the next 200,000 miles but time will tell I guess.
@@dadslovetacos interesting. Reasonable thought about the programming. Sounds like you’ve already documented it with the dealer. Maybe bring it up again before the power train warranty expires (if the behavior persists) so there’s good documentation of your concern in your service records should something worse develop outside your warranty period.
Good stuff, I would follow the same if Honda Canada dealers would have the same maintenance plan. 😢 Do you any thoughts about disabling the VCM? Or any new pet peeves that have come up since your previous video? Thanks for the insight. I'm following intently to your channel if i choose the V6 before it inevitably leaves the Honda stable. Wishing you safe travels as you rack up the miles.
Thx my friend! Too bad that Honda of Canada doesn’t offer the same program. Here’s an Amazon link to a device that will reverse the stop/start relay (to default off instead of default on); a.co/d/4sDhBgw . I have not tried it but it’s on my “Saved” list. May be a few other sellers out there. Tire/road noise is really my only big annoyance at this point. I tentatively plan to try Michelin Primacy A/S tires when I need a new set. Just put the Primacy A/S tires on my RDX and they are quiet. I’ve owned three Hondas with various iterations of their V6. All three were quiet, smooth revving, and relatively fuel efficient. Having said that, I will admit that the higher output K20C 4-cylinder turbo engine might be a good match for the Pilot. Would definitely offer more low end torque. We’ll see if that plays out in the future…or some hybrid version. Good luck with your decision!
@ediliver4255 thx! Acceleration is fully adequate. No issues with a full load (just be sure to move drive mode from Econ to Normal if you’ve got a full load). 1-2 gearing is pretty low so takes off easily from a stoplight. When up to speed torque feel is a little lower than I’d prefer, though, and you will notice that especially when needing to pass quickly.
lol some of those nitpicks would drive me insane. I watch all these car reviews and it's always the long term owner reviews that are the most helpful. Thanks for sharing. Still loving our 2019 Odyssey EX-L, 77k miles :)
We just got our 2025 Honda pilot black edition and absolutely love it. Coming from a 2019 Toyota rav4 and boy what an upgrade in quality! We are going to keep this car for a very long time! Great review!
Congrats! One word of advice (plan to mention in a future vid). I’ve learned that rotating the tires at the 8-9k mark with the free Honda oil change is too long. Keep to around 5-6k miles and the tires should wear more evenly (and thus reduce the chance of cupping and the tires being a little louder).
I have a 2025 pilot touring and noticed that they have two drain hoses for the air conditioning one for the front and one for the back the one for the back it’s not water coming out only the one for the front. Any suggestions
Only on rare occasions have I seen what appears to be a/c condensation drips at the back of my Pilot. Might only occur under certain conditions based on humidity and how hard a/c is running. On my previous Odyssey the rear dripped more frequently during a/c use.
Couldn't get your foil trick to work. Made a complete mess spinning the oil filter off. Ended up with most of that filter oil running down the shrouding on the undercarriage for the next few days. Even after buying the oil change tool for next time at about $60, my first self service tire rotation and full synthetic oil change with a premium Honda filter is still less than the cost of having the dealer do that service, and without the hassle of sitting in their waiting room for a couple of hours. The next day I did the rear differential fluid service for about $35 more dollars. Also - even though you get 2 years of some factory maintenance package (which may not include filter changes every time) designed to get our in the habit of going to your dealer for routine services, they aren't using full synthetic for that and my Honda dealer is a 40 minute ride from home so not convenient for routine maintenance. Bottom line - buy the $60 oil change tool to catch the filter draining when you spin it off. I doubt very many places other than the dealer will have this tool. And without it the oil filter service makes a mess.
Great comments and thx for sharing. The tin foil approach is a bit challenging but if you can get it tucked in well and then don’t budge it when spinning off the filter you’ll be ok. Still, the filter funnel tool is the easiest and best approach. Also, the Honda two year free maint really only covers two oil changes and two tire rotations. Doesn’t cover the rear dif fluid service at 15k miles, which they should IMO. DIY approach certainly saves a lot of money over the long run.
What is wrong with this guy ??? All he says bad about Honda Pilot … I bought this car it’s so good and comfortable spacious room .. kids and wife they love it .. if you complaining too much then go buy a BMW or Tesla .. am sure you will complain that too ..
Your points about the trailer hitch and braking during cruise control are notable observations that will influence my purchase. Thanks a lot for sharing. I really liked your video. Well done.
Have you looked at after market tow/hitch systems? I have looked at companies like e-trailer,and they offer simple workarounds on the install. Have not done it yet (*JUST* bought our 2025 Pilot 3 weeks ago!), but seems like a one hour install at the most, without replacing the bumper with one with a cutout and keeping the trunk opening sensor in place…
@@PascalBrunet77I have not. I know there are some aftermarket options but I never felt they fit or looked as seamlessly integrated as the OEM set up. Did you go with an aftermarket version?
I think this function was made on the decision that brakes are cheaper then transmissions. If the tranny is constantly changing gears to hold speed, that is more wear and tear on it, where as brake pads are cheap. Just my two cents. BTW, we picked up a used 2023 Pilot Elite in this same color and we love it. 13k miles on it and I agree with nearly all the assessments you make.
Not sure but I’d guess the plastic at the bottom on the sides of the vehicle is there to reduce exposure to rust. Those are the first parts of the car to rust typically so making them out of plastic provides some protection there.
They mostly just cover up the metal at the bottom of the door. At least with the plastic it doesn’t get chipped from rocks being kicked up from the tires.
In my honda ridgeline. It also turn off the radio when im turning off ignition. But if i want to continuosly use the radio after turning off the engine, i let the engine stay in drive mode before turning off the engine. For black trims, i applied ceramic coating and will stay vibrant
In your case does the push button electronic shifter not automatically put the tranny into park when the engine turns off (if not already in park), which then kills the radio? That’s what happens to me.
That would be cool…a Type R Pilot?! Standard power is fine but a little more torque would be nice. Would be interesting if Honda offered the 2.0 turbo motor in the Pilot making somewhere around 300 hp and 310 ft lbs.
For me, i like the position of the exhaust pipe directed to the ground. While loading up things at the back while warming up engine during winter, i think the smoke from muffler will not go straight to my leg. Not sure if this correct, i will know once i have my 2025 honda pilot at the end of april.
Good luck with your purchase! I have several other cars with straight dual exhausts and have never had any issues with smoke or heat, but angling down would mitigate the potential.
Yeah, I should have captured that last part. It’s done through the infotainment system. Pretty easy. Owner’s manual will say and I recall there are one or two RU-vid videos on how to reset the maint minder.
We test drove a 2034 Touring and I really like it. We have a 4Runner and it is highly modded for off-roading, especially at night. Hard to let it go but I miss having heated seats and leather seats that are comfortable. We can’t do sedans, I’m the size of a linebacker and they are also expensive to insure for us. (Thanks Nevada).
Under the seat still the same in 2024, I just don't look there! Most cars apile the brakes for cruise control going down hill, you could shut it off if its a big hill. You are picky like me. But I over look things because its a great car!
@@FourTheWheels I’m looking to get an exl in the future. I noticed prices drop on the pilot,passport and ridgeline much faster than Honda’s 4 cylinders. One can easily get a pilot exl for about $3-$5 less than stick with only several thousand miles on them. I like the hustle
What i absolutely hate in HP2023 is a quality of paint (they saved a lot on clear coat) and driver avarness system when you actually need to move wheel to disable alarm. It is dangerous. What I will also improve is a noise from the engine (I am not a fun of F1 engine noise) and shaky feeling from suspension. Otherwise, the best buy for $
