2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trims, including the Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Black Edition, evaluated in Southern California, featured a dark Modern Steel paint and blacked-out exterior elements, including wheels and badges. Inside, it boasted black leather seats with red perforation accents, red stitching, and ambient lighting. While the Pilot aimed for a rugged look, especially with the TrailSport trim, the Black Edition was more suited for suburban environments. The interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital displays seemed dated compared to competitors.

The 2025 Buick Enclave resembled a larger version of the Envista, with a bold front design featuring slim DRLs and a large grille. The side profile was more generic, but overall, it appeared sharper than its predecessor. Standard 20-inch wheels on the base trim and unique touches on the Sport Touring and Avenir trims added to its appeal. Inside, the Enclave felt modern and premium, with a floating center console and a large curved display. The seats in the Sport Touring trim were trimmed in perforated leatherette with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's upscale feel. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered various driving modes and could tow up to 5,000 pounds. The AWD system provided hill descent control and torque vectoring. While the V6 delivered good acceleration, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was a concern, with an average of 20 mpg, below the EPA rating. The suspension provided a soft ride, but handling was predictable and secure.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It used an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both FWD and AWD options. The Enclave could tow up to 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy was slightly better in FWD, with 23 mpg combined. The Enclave's Active Noise Cancellation was effective, though engine noise was noticeable without the upgrade. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at lower speeds, but this was typical for its class.

The Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and practical storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, which was a drawback for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, and the third row was suitable for adults if the second row slid forward. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The Buick Enclave provided eight-way power adjustability for the driver and six-way for the front passenger. It featured captain’s chairs in the second row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Enclave offered tri-zone climate control and a power liftgate with 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with seats folded. The power-folding seats and AutoSense liftgate added convenience.

The Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. It featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic. The Pilot included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and CabinTalk for communication with rear passengers. The voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the head-up display was minimal.

The Buick Enclave stood out with its 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen, integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. It offered a 12-speaker Bose audio system, with a 16-speaker system on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging and smartphone integration were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave's technology offerings emphasized its premium positioning.

The Honda Pilot came with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist had issues, affecting driver confidence. The Pilot earned high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The Buick Enclave included advanced safety features like blind-zone steering assist and intersection automatic emergency braking. It offered HD Surround Vision and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving technology, was available on all trims. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by safety organizations, but the 2024 model received favorable ratings.