2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The Forester is one of Subaru's top sellers and one of the more popular compact crossovers in its segment as well, so it's hard to blame the automaker for not wanting to mess with a working formula. They seem to have focused more on refining an already popular car than creating a new car. In fact, the most obvious updates are to the vehicle's looks, which many would argue are inconsequential—but that's not a criticism.

Verdict: The 2025 Subaru Forester improves on the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a blessedly quieter cabin. If it's not the most beautiful crossover we've ever seen, well, at least that's authentic to the Forester brand.

Honda keeps it simple with the 2025 Pilot, offering a single powertrain and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. Nearly all Pilots have eight-passenger seating, and with higher trims, the second-row centre 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.

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.