2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 INFINITI QX80

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trims, including the Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Black Edition, based on the Elite, featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it offered black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The Pilot aimed for a rugged look since its 2023 redesign, with the TrailSport trim enhancing off-road capabilities. However, the Black Edition's aesthetic 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 INFINITI QX80 underwent its first redesign since 2017, growing slightly in size and retaining its body-on-frame architecture. It boasted improved torsional and lateral stiffness. The QX80 featured expressive styling, particularly at the front, with a large grille and stacked-headlight setup. The rear maintained its shape but added full-width LED taillights. The interior received a high-tech makeover with dual 14.3-inch screens and 64-color ambient lighting. Despite the updates, the cabin's shiny black plastic trim detracted from its premium feel. The QX80 offered various trims, with the Autograph trim featuring unique 22-inch wheels.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and offered multiple driving modes. 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 observed averages below the EPA rating. The suspension provided a soft ride, but handling remained predictable. The Pilot was capable off-road, especially in the TrailSport trim.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured a new twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine offered more power than the previous V8, though the active sound enhancement added an artificial noise. The QX80's air suspension and adaptive damping provided a compliant ride, with adjustable ride height for off-road and aerodynamic benefits. Despite its size, handling was average for a large SUV. The QX80's towing capacity reached 8,500 pounds, surpassing many competitors.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seating and practical storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, which was a drawback for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for adults on short trips. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with seats folded. Features included a hands-free power tailgate and effective climate control.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 increased cargo space significantly, offering 22 cubic feet with all seats up and 101 cubic feet with seats folded. It featured a power liftgate and power-folding seats for easy reconfiguration. Passenger space was generous, with increased legroom in the first and third rows. The QX80 offered heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, enhancing comfort. It also boasted a high towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing to haul heavy loads.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. However, it included a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had some connectivity issues, and voice recognition was inconsistent. The 12-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional. Features like CabinTalk and a head-up display added convenience, though the technology didn't stand out in the segment.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured dual 14.3-inch screens and a smaller 9-inch touchscreen for controls. It was the first Infiniti with Google built-in apps, offering Google Maps and Google Assistant. The infotainment system had a familiar Nissan-like interface, and the lower touchscreen required firm presses. All models included Klipsch sound systems, with higher trims offering a 24-speaker version. The QX80 also had a 360-degree camera system with multiple viewing angles, enhancing safety and convenience.

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 had some performance issues. The Pilot earned high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80's crash-test ratings were unavailable, but it included standard safety features like forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. It offered ProPilot Assist for highway driving assistance, with hands-free driving and automated lane changes on higher trims. While we couldn't test ProPilot Assist, it performed well in other vehicles. The QX80's safety features were comprehensive, though ratings were pending.