What is it about “black” that prompts some carmakers to apply it to the top trim level of certain models? Even if the vehicle is finished in, say, Radiant Red? Black is sinister, forbidding, grim, opaque . . . all things that no Honda ever was or likely will be. This 2025 Pilot Black Edition comes with all the available factory upgrades (except the Trailsport’s extra off-road features) plus black badges, exterior trim and 20-inch wheels and, inside, black floor mats and logo’ed leather front seats. 

Black trim can spice up an already pretty car but, blacked out or not, the Pilot looks like what it is: a big, three-row box of an SUV—a well-designed, highly civilized and useful one. It turns out there are other, better reasons than mere trim and looks to drive a Pilot, such as its unobtrusive V-6 engine that makes 285 horses and 262 torques on regular gas, its equally smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, the seven selectable modes for Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand and Tow driving, and a tow rating of 5,000 pounds. Despite features such as variable cylinder management and idle stop, fuel efficiency is only 20-25 MPG. 

Honda believes in safety for everyone, not just those who spend more on a vehicle. All Pilot models get the full suite of Honda Sensing 360-degree driver-assist features that monitor traffic conditions, other vehicles, speed limits, headlights, blind spots, lane markings and even the driver’s attention level, and then sometimes intervene automatically if a computer algorithm deems necessary.

Today no road-going vehicle is complete unless it’s Internet-integrated, and the Pilot has the expected wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, four USB-C charging ports and apps galore. The infotainment system is highly intuitive and logical, at least once the new owner enters their data and preferences.

Changes from the ’24 Pilot are minimal, and Honda has priced the Black package reasonably. At $55,975 including destination and handling fees, it’s only $1,500 more than the next Pilot variant, the Elite, which has all the Black’s other goodies but not its cosmetics. The entry-level Pilot, now called the Sport, starts at $41,595, all in. The other notable variant—there are six Piloti in all—is the Trailsport, which is equipped for moderate off-roading and slots into the lineup at $50,795. The first three versions are available with front-wheel drive only for $2,100 less. A “post-production” (dealer-installed) cosmetic package called HPD can add another $2,000.

I’ve written this about Hondas before and been called out on it, politely, by friends at Honda: The Pilot is, dare I say so, slightly boring—but only in the way that we want a son-in-law to be boring: solid, dependable, pragmatic and perfectly suited to the job, with no vices, weird idiosyncrasies or wanderlust. Like any good in-law, once brought into the family, the Pilot will be there for the duration and earn our respect. Bank on it. 

Next week: Honda Prologue Elite 

EV