2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 Sport trim was the most affordable, but it lacked many appealing amenities, making the leather-lined EX-L a more recommended choice. Prices ranged from $40,200 to $54,580, plus a $1,395 destination charge. The Black Edition, which we evaluated in Southern California, featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges, with a price tag of $55,975, including destination. Inside, it boasted black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. While the Black Edition's custom look was more suited for suburban environments, the overall design of the Pilot was rugged and attractive, especially with the TrailSport trim's off-roading capabilities. The interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, debuted its fifth generation in 2024. It featured a chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps and taillights fit well with Hyundai's design aesthetic, though the rear taillights' placement was criticized for visual imbalance. Each trim had specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, with the XRT trim adding chrome and black trim for an off-road look. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except for the Calligraphy trim, which had captain's chairs. The interior fit and finish were generally good, though some squeaks and rattles were noted. The inclusion of physical dials for HVAC temperature was appreciated, but the fan speed buttons were less user-friendly.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed most Pilot models to tow up to 5,000 pounds. It offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The AWD system, with torque vectoring, provided up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance (8.3 inches for the TrailSport). While the V6 delivered good acceleration, the transmission sometimes felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 20 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, aided by the Black Edition's 20-inch wheels. The compliant suspension was beneficial in typical driving situations, though an adaptive-damping suspension system would have improved the ride quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. It offered FWD or AWD, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting duties. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for 231 horsepower. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners with responsive steering, though turbo lag was noticeable. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim included 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, improving off-road geometry. While the Santa Fe was not a rugged rock crawler, it handled graded dirt roads well.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the Black Edition's front passenger seat had limited adjustments, which was a drawback for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for captain's chairs. The third row was habitable for adults if the second row slid forward. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Features like a remote engine start, triple-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof added to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-way center console. The XRT trim included heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The Calligraphy trim added heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seat cushions. Cargo space was 14.6 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The rear opening was wider and taller, facilitating the loading of large items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The 12-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional. The Pilot's CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers. A small four-inch head-up display was also included.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also getting a digital gauge cluster. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging. A digital key feature allowed unlocking and starting the car with a smartphone or Apple Watch. The Santa Fe also offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity was standard, providing remote access to various features.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition added parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had some issues, affecting driver confidence. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The Highway Drive Assist system had mixed performance in traffic. The top trims included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, except for the headlight and LATCH categories.