Honda Pilot vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

Honda keeps it simple with the 2025 Pilot, offering a single powertrain with a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Nearly all Pilots have eight-passenger seating, and with higher trims, the second-row center section is removable to create a seven-passenger configuration. The Black Edition returns to the top of the lineup for 2025, equipped with blacked-out exterior trim and red interior accents. Also, the Honda Service Pass program is cut to 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Verdict: With the 2025 Pilot, Honda hasn’t messed with success. It is a roomy and practical daily driver that makes life easy, has plenty of power to effortlessly get up to speed, and is safe for transporting the people you love the most. However, it is time for Honda to offer a hybrid version.

Competition amongst small crossover SUVs is fierce. The 2026 Honda CR-V faces off against the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, and roughly a dozen other strong-selling compact SUVs from nearly every automaker. And, on balance, the Honda CR-V has handled the competition well. With over 400,000 units sold in 2024–more than half of which were CR-V Hybrids–Honda has plenty to feel good about with the CR-V. But while the CR-V has been thriving, Honda has been finding success with another name, too: TrailSport. This year, the two success stories finally met.

Verdict: The CR-V is one of the best compact crossovers on the market, and the hybrid powertrain only makes it better. If adventure and off-road driving are truly in the cards for you, however, the CR-V TrailSport may not be the right choice.