Full transcript of “Upgrade Dilemma: Honda Pilot BLACK EDITION vs. ELITE – Is it WORTH it? Full Review”. Click a timestamp to open the video at that moment. Need another video? Use the YouTube transcript generator.
0:00 Meet the 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition, the latest addition to Honda's lineup for the US market and the most expensive and best-equipped Pilot ever, with an astounding starting price of $55,675. But is it really worth the upgrade compared to the Elite trim? And what really sets these two top packages apart? Let's find out! On the new Black Edition Pilot, there is a lot to take in. Overall, the latest Honda Pilot stands out with its commanding presence, horizontal, squared-off profile, and the longest and flattest front end to date. But the Black Edition takes this bold and rugged design language even further, featuring an abundance of gloss black accents on the grille, mirror housings, door trims, and rear bumper garnish, along with exclusive gloss black
0:50 20-inch wheels and Black Edition badges on the grille and tailgate. Additionally, the black roof rails inherited from the Elite trim add to the overall masculine aesthetic, emphasizing the practicality and enduring appeal of classic SUV design. It's important to note that the Black Edition isn't restricted to black body color alone. Alongside black, which inherently complements this trim, the Black Edition is also available in modern steel, white, red, and sonic gray. Apart from its black accents, the Black Edition adopts equipment from the Elite trim, including standard LED headlights and taillights. It also features a front camera with a washer positioned above the massive Honda emblem, complemented by side mirror cameras displaying distances to surrounding objects or vehicles. Moreover,
1:39 it includes a standard rearview camera with multiple views and parking sensors. The Black Edition touts a 360-degree camera system, offering comprehensive visibility for navigating various terrains or tight urban spaces. For added convenience, the side mirrors fold in with a simple click of a lock button on the key fob and automatically dim in low-light conditions. Maintaining a consistent family resemblance, the Black Edition, like its counterparts in the class and other lineup mates, incorporates a horizontal name badge that connects the tail lights. On the rear end, a solitary Black Edition emblem indicates its status as the premium trim. Surprisingly, neither the dual exhaust pipes nor the Honda logo on the rear tailgate are
2:25 black, by the way, and there's also a rear spoiler for added flair. Standard features include a power tailgate with programmable height, walk-away close, and hands-free access. Before we delve into the interior of the new trim, we'd love to hear your thoughts on its exterior! Drop a comment below and let us know what you think! Moving to the interior, the Black Edition lives up to its name. Regardless of the exterior color, the interior is exclusively available in black, adorned with trim-exclusive red contrast stitching on the steering wheel and leather seats. Noteworthy details include Black Edition embossing on the headrests and floor mats to remind you that you are seated in the special package. Finally, to break up the black surfaces at night, red accent lighting illuminates the cabin.
3:13 But apart from these design elements, there are no other distinguishing interior features that set the Black Edition apart from the Elite. It shares the same cockpit and center console elements, as well as the latest tech offerings. Of course, you'll find the abundance of large cup holders, trays, pockets and massive storage compartments in both models. Simply because it is a Honda. Like the Elite, the Black Edition offers plenty of warmth inside the cabin, including heated front and outboard second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and a heated wiper zone. These features can be particularly convenient when used in conjunction with remote engine start. Additionally, the windshield wipers are rain-sensing, and the front perforated leather seats come with ventilation for hot summer days.
4:00 Speaking of the seats, they are comfortable and give great support. Compared to the previous generation of the Pilot, it feels like you really sink into the seat instead of just sitting on it. As expected, there are power adjustments for both front seats, along with a two-position memory feature for the driver's side. However, considering it's the most equipped and priciest Pilot ever, it would be nice to at least have more adjustments for the front passenger side. Currently, there are only four which, let's admit it, is too basic for this price tag. While the Black Edition interior may not offer the extravagance and luxury of some competitors, it does provide plenty of decent soft and hard surfaces that feel designed to withstand the rigors of family life, making it ideal for quick clean-ups with whatever wipes you have available.
4:49 For an enhanced tactile and functional experience, the physical buttons and knobs dedicated to climate control and stereo demand special recognition. Their premium feel, satisfying click, and user-friendly design contribute to an exceptional user experience. Unlike some competitors, they are conveniently located and not buried within the touchscreen interface. Speaking of it, the Pilot’s 9-inch touchscreen provides wireless smartphone connectivity, built-in navigation, Wi-Fi, and Cabin Talk communication with rear passengers. However, considering the Black Edition serves as the pinnacle of the Honda Pilot lineup, there was a glimpse of hope that its screen size would at least match the 12.3-inch display found in the new Accord, which is even standard on the base Sport Hybrid model. Another missed opportunity is the
5:38 absence of built-in Alexa and Google features, which are also available in the new Accord. The heads-up display, inherited from the Elite, has proven to be a highly valued and desirable piece of technology. It provides drivers with essential driving information such as vehicle’s speed, local speed limits, and navigation directions right in their line of sight. It also offers customizable features including height and brightness adjustment, allowing drivers to tailor the display to their preferences and select the specific information they need. It would be beneficial if this feature also connected to the two-position memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, adjusting to each driver individually. Another standout feature of the top trim is Honda's largest 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. In addition to displaying essential
6:28 driving information like the trip odometer and fuel level, it offers extensive customization options, including Honda Sensing settings, navigation directions, vehicle, audio, and phone information. At the bottom center of the screen, a cartoon-like vehicle image conveniently indicates which blinkers or lights are engaged. Additionally, it shows lines around it when the lane-keeping assist system is activated. In addition to Lane-Keeping Assist and the traffic sign recognition system, drivers benefit from the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Auto High-Beam Headlights. Moreover, there are also previously mentioned front and rear parking sensors, low-speed braking control, blind spot and cross-traffic monitors. Besides Lane-Keeping assist and traffic sign recognition system, drivers get collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Auto High-Beam Headlights. Moreover, there are also previously mentioned front and rear parking sensors, low-speed braking control, blind spot and cross-traffic monitors.
7:16 Among other notable features of the Black Edition are a smart entry system for all doors, a panoramic sunroof and the premium Bose Audio system with 12 speakers, including a subwoofer, delivering a truly immersive concert hall experience. Space is really important in this segment, and Honda delivers generously. If you aren’t already familiar with the Pilot's abundantly large interior, you might be impressed with its overall 154.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, 41.0 inches of legroom in the front, 40.8 inches in the second row, and 32.5 in the third. Plus, the second-row seats now offer a maximum recline angle of 10 degrees, ensuring a comfortable ride for rear passengers. With an extended forward tilt range
8:01 and release buttons for the second-row seats that are easy for children to operate, accessing the roomy third row is easy. However, adults seated in the rear may encounter discomfort due to the raised floor and limited toe room beneath the second-row seats, resulting in elevated knees. Just like the Elite, the 8-passenger Black Edition comes with a clever seven-passenger setup option by removing the center seat in the second row, ideal for smaller groups. The removed seat can be conveniently stored in a cubby under the rear cargo floor. Otherwise, when folded down, this middle seat provides a generously sized tray and two cup holders, while also serving as a substantial armrest. Finally, the rear cargo space is the business end of the Pilot. Continuing from the previous generation, the adaptable cargo floor extends
8:51 behind the third row, offering versatility and convenience. The reversible floor panel provides a carpeted side and an easy-to-clean hard side, perfect for wet or dirty items. Space wise, there are up to 112.4 cu.-ft. behind the first row of the Pilot, up to 60.1 cu.-ft. behind the second row, and up to 22.4 cu.-ft. behind the third row. And this generously sized cabin is nothing short of impressive for a daily family hauler. Before we delve under the hood, what are your thoughts on the interior of the 2025 Black Edition? Under the hood, the new Black Edition Honda Pilot doesn't deviate from its lineup mates, including the Elite, and, like one would reasonably expect, drives the same. With no hybrid powertrain in sight yet, this top-shelf Pilot edition
9:40 offers only one engine option: a naturally aspirated V-6 with additional camshafts for improved performance. Delivering a total output of 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, it's paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for refined throttle response and smooth shifts. Standard paddle shifters and push-button gear selectors make for easier control. Available exclusively in torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the staggeringly heavy (4,660 pounds) Black Edition Pilot turns a gallon of regular unleaded into heat and smog every 19 miles in the city and 25 miles on the highway. This isn't meant to be a rock-crawler, but it does have off-road-specific drive modes such as snow, trail, and sand in addition to
10:29 standard normal, econ, sport, and tow. First off, getting in and out of the Pilot is easy, and the visibility from inside is excellent. Honda's V6 engine delivers a smooth and refined performance, with a crisp and snarly sound when you hit the gas pedal. However, the actual acceleration leaves something to be desired. According to Car and Driver, it takes 7.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, while Edmunds reports 7.7 seconds. For this acceleration deficit, we point our collective finger at Honda Pilot's weight gain of 340 lbs compared to the previous generation, coupled with only a slight 5 horsepower increase that understandably
11:20 couldn't compensate for the added weight. It's relevant to mention the previous generation because it achieved a faster 0-60 time of just 6.2 seconds, according to various sources. Granted, performance might not be the primary selling point in this segment, but having more power under the hood to deliver more oomph would undoubtedly have made Honda Pilot a far more appealing choice, especially for those considering the top-shelf edition and possibly even having higher expectations. The 10-speed transmission tends to be quite active, particularly in urban settings, which can make the Pilot feel overly responsive to gas pedal inputs when starting from a standstill. However, slowing down is easy. The brakes offer a consistent feel and are smooth for everyday driving.
12:05 The Pilot's suspension effortlessly handles most bumps, but some rough roads can feel fairly harsh and noisy inside. Overall, wind, highway, and engine noise are minimal, yet the cabin could have been quieter. And give credit where it’s due: the structure is solid and firm, whereas the elongated and flattened hood add to an impression of control and confidence in how the Pilot drives around town and on the freeway. Ride motions are very friendly, the steering wheel feels light and smooth at lower speeds, and has a satisfying weight when the wheels spin faster, creating an overall sense of effortless and relaxed vehicle operation. Having spent well over 100 hours with the newest generation of the Honda Pilot, I can attest that it offers all-day comfort on long trips and serves as an excellent daily family hauler. But the truth is, you don’t really have to buy an Armani suit to keep warm. The Touring and EX-L trims, which we reviewed in other videos, are more budget-friendly options that still offer plenty of
12:56 excellent features, the same spaciousness, and great driving performance for a role of a family hauler. Be sure to check out those videos! So, why bother with the Black Edition then? Frankly, if you're already considering the Elite trim for its extra features, but want a touch of exclusivity and a more charismatic, eye-catching look, the Black Edition is sure worth the extra $1,500. After all, the Black Edition is just a fancier and more fashionably dressed twin of the Elite. You’ll just have to forgive the manufacturer if the bold price tags of this duo suggest a somewhat broader and richer repertoire than what they actually offer. So, would you choose the Black Edition over the Elite?
