2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in Canada in several trims, including Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Black Edition. The Black Edition, which was evaluated in the U.S., featured distinctive 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, creating a unique aesthetic. The Pilot's design aimed for a rugged look, especially with the TrailSport trim, but the Black Edition's custom look was more suited for suburban environments. The interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated, lacking a significant "wow factor."

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, the largest and most expensive Cadillac, continued to embody old-school luxury with its updated design. The exterior featured a new front end with large vertical headlights and tall vertical taillights, reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. Available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV body styles, the Escalade offered various trims, including Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac focused on a screen-centric design, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED display with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The interior offered a range of leather options and curated motifs, with the Premium Luxury Platinum model showcasing Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the Pilot to tow up to 2,268 kilograms. It featured multiple driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The Pilot's AWD system, standard in Canada, offered hill descent control and torque vectoring, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift, and fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 14.1 L/100 km during testing. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, though an adaptive-damping suspension system could have improved ride quality.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V featured a supercharged V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models had a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient gear shifts. In Canada, most models came with 4WD, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented AWD system. The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control damping system, combined with optional air suspension, offered a comfortable ride, though it couldn't match the handling of some luxury competitors. The V8 engine provided strong acceleration, but the brakes lacked confidence, with an optional Performance Upgrade Package available for enhanced braking.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, offering three rows of comfortable seating and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat's limited adjustment options were a drawback. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable centre section for easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for adults on short trips, and the Pilot's cargo space was generous, with up to 3,219 litres available. Features like a hands-free power tailgate and triple-zone climate control added convenience.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered ample interior space, with the long-wheelbase ESV model providing additional cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade's cargo capacity was best-in-segment, with power liftgate and power-folding seats for easy reconfiguration. It could tow up to 3,675 kilograms, meeting segment expectations. The Escalade's interior featured extensive creature comforts, including an optional Executive Second Row Package with dual screens, wireless chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. However, it offered essential features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The wireless CarPlay function had some issues, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The Pilot's CabinTalk feature allowed communication with rear passengers, and a small head-up display was included.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured a high-tech interface with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. It included a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy-to-use controls. The optional Executive Second Row Package added dual screens and upgraded seats, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came equipped with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control system had some issues, and the lane-centring assist affected steering feel. 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 Cadillac Escalade offered standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations, and Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads. However, the handoff to manual control was abrupt. Current crash test ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.