2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trim levels, 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 model a more recommended choice. Prices ranged from $40,200 to $54,580, plus a $1,395 destination charge. The Black Edition, evaluated in Southern California, featured a Modern Steel paint color and no additional options, bringing its MSRP to $55,975, including destination. This edition was based on the Pilot Elite and featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it boasted black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The Black Edition's custom look was more suited for suburban environments, while the Pilot's overall design aimed for a rugged appearance, especially in the TrailSport trim. 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, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV, was the largest and most expensive Cadillac available. It replaced the Fleetwoods and DeVilles as the embodiment of old-school Cadillac luxury. The updated 2025 design further distinguished the Escalade from its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL. The most significant exterior change was a new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade stylistically closer to the Escalade IQ and other Cadillac EVs. The headlights were large vertical bars, with smaller horizontal daytime running lights below the hood shut line. At the rear, the Escalade retained tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of old Cadillac tailfins. For 2025, 24-inch wheels were available for the first time, complementing the vehicle's massive appearance. Cadillac offered standard-wheelbase and long-wheelbase Escalade ESV body styles, with various trim levels, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac worked to hide the shared platform with other GM full-size SUVs, featuring a screen-centric interior design with a 55-inch OLED curved display spanning the dashboard.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This drivetrain allowed most Pilot models to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Pilot offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. Models with Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD system featured hill descent control and up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance (8.3 inches for the TrailSport). The AWD system's torque vectoring allowed up to 70 percent of engine output to flow to a single rear wheel (75 percent in the TrailSport). While the V6 provided good acceleration, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift and delivered unexpected power surges in Normal mode. Sport mode helped mitigate this issue. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with city-heavy driving yielding 17.8 mpg and an evaluation loop averaging 20 mpg, falling short of the official EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, aided by the Black Edition's 20-inch wheels and tires. The compliant suspension was beneficial in typical driving situations, though an adaptive-damping suspension system would have improved the Elite and Black Edition models.

For the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac dropped the Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine option, leaving only the naturally-aspirated gasoline 6.2-liter V8 engine. While the diesel's torque was missed, the V8 remained a solid engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, though less than the Lincoln Navigator's gasoline twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V continued with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All Escalade models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing a balance of low ratios for acceleration and high ratios for efficient highway cruising. The gearbox shifted smoothly between ratios without interrupting power flow. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive optional on most models. The Escalade-V had a model-specific AWD system designed for performance driving. Most trims included an electronic rear limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case when equipped with 4WD. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on all but the base Luxury grade, offering quicker adjustments. However, even with the optional air suspension, the Escalade's heavy body-on-frame construction lacked the polish of a Range Rover or Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The V8 provided quick acceleration and a pleasing sound, but the brakes lacked confidence. Cadillac offered Brembo six-piston front calipers as part of the $6,095 Performance Upgrade Package, which also included a performance air intake and cat-back exhaust system.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, a potential deal-breaker was the front passenger seat's limited four-way adjustment, lacking height and cushion tilt adjustments. The front seats were otherwise comfortable, supportive, and equipped with heating and ventilation. The second-row seats were roomy but lacked leg support. The center section was removable, allowing for captain's chairs with a pass-through to the third row. Smartphone holders, drink box and cup holders, and rear side window shades were convenient features. The third row was habitable for adults if the second row slid forward, though not particularly comfortable. The Pilot's remote engine starting system, triple-zone automatic climate control, and heated outboard second-row seats added to its family-friendly appeal. Cargo space included 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the ESV model providing additional cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade's interior was spacious, with the most first-row headroom in its class, though second-row headroom was slightly less than competitors. The standard-length model offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 72.9 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, and 121 cubic feet behind the front seats, all best-in-segment. ESV models further increased cargo space to 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 94.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 142.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The Escalade's maximum towing capacity was 8,100 pounds for the standard-wheelbase model and 8,000 pounds for the ESV, meeting segment expectations. However, Cadillac lacked some towing features offered by competitors like Lincoln.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, text-messaging support, and wireless smartphone charging. The navigation system, HondaLink subscription services, Wi-Fi access, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system were also included. However, the wireless CarPlay function had issues, and Honda's voice recognition system was inconsistent. The Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional, and the wireless phone charging pad's design allowed devices to move and stop charging. The CabinTalk feature allowed drivers to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, and a small four-inch head-up display was included.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined old-school engineering with a high-tech interface. The new 55-inch door-to-door display incorporated a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. Climate controls and other functions were managed by a tablet-like touchscreen below, along with a rotary dial. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available, along with an augmented-reality head-up display and night vision. Cadillac retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a hard button for vehicle operation. The smaller control screen was well-positioned, with haptic feedback, though actual knobs were preferred. The optional Executive Second Row Package included 12.6-inch screens, dual wireless device chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition test vehicle also had parking sensors and a multi-view camera system with TrailWatch technology. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had issues, and the road sign recognition system was inaccurate. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it an overall rating of five stars.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat conveyed 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 from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication.