Honda Pilot EX-L vs. Touring – That is a fair comparison if you decide which Honda Pilot trim to buy.
The question is: which one is better for you? By judging their key differences and overall features, you can decide which trim suits you best.
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Honda EX-L vs Touring Overall Comparison
The Honda Pilot is capable of delivering impressive performance. This coupled with its cavernous cabin space, makes this vehicle ideal for those who seek comfort, space, and performance.
The Honda Pilot has a 3rd row, but that’s not all. The good news is that you can select 3rd-row seating options that best fit your requirements.
The Honda Pilot EX-L vs. Touring comparison that follows will show you which trim is better for you.
Price Comparison
Perhaps the first thing you would like to know is the price.
The Honda Pilot EX-L 9-speed automatic transmission with 2WD has a starting price of just under $38,700. The Pilot Touring 9-speed automatic transmission with 2WD has a starting price just below $43,300.
As you can see, the Touring trim costs more than the EX-L.
If you want the all-wheel-drive capability for turning your Honda Pilot into an SUV that can conquer all sorts of terrain, you can upgrade both of these trims to 4 wheel drive. Of course, the price tag will rise.
Seating EX-L vs Touring
Extra seating and big cabin space are key factors for selecting the Honda Pilot.
8 passenger seating is standard to both the Touring and EX-L. However, you can go for a 7-seat configuration if that is better for you and your family with the Touring.
Cabin Features
The Honda Pilot Touring and EX-L both have their own interior features for infotainment and comfort. With these features, you can modify cabin configurations to suit your preferences. They also allow mobile integration as well as entertainment.
Here are cabin features for both these trims.
Honda Pilot Touring Cabin Features
- 2nd row HDMI Interface
- CabinTalk In-Car PA System
- Multi-zone audio
- HondaLink Subscription
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Audio system equipped with 10 speakers and subwoofer
- 2-inch screen with high resolution for rear entertainment
- Satellite Navigation coupled with voice recognition
- Power tailgate (Hands-Free)
Honda Pilot EX-L Cabin Features
- Power Tailgate
- Audio system equipped with 7 speakers plus subwoofer
- Steering wheel wrapped in leather
- Automatic dimming for rearview mirror
- Sunshades
- Homelink remote system
- Tri-zone climate control
In addition, the Pilot EX-L is equipped with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, driver seat memory, 2nd-row sunshades, Honda Sensing technology for safety, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. These features are all standard to the Touring, which also has high-resolution screen rear entertainment, heated seats for the 2nd row, a wireless phone charger, and a better sound system.
Driving Performance
Both of these Honda Pilot trims have basically the same driving performance. These models are equipped with 280 horsepower V6 engines coupled with 9-speed auto transmission.
Both trims are equipped with active noise cancellation, multiple driving modes, hill start assist, intelligent traction management, eco assist, paddle shifters, shift-by-wire, and a host of other technologies that you will find invaluable.
The V6 engine of the Honda Pilot boasts lots of power and an impressive sound. The 9-speed auto transmission is reliable and smooth.
The Honda Pilot is definitely not the most cumbersome 3-row crossover that you can drive. However, you can feel its heft while cornering. And it is indeed big in size – that’s why it has so much cabin room.
20-inch wheels are available on higher trims. Although they impact ride comfort somewhat, they do improve the appearance of this vehicle.
Another good thing to note is that the vehicle feels agile and rides smoothly even when packed full of passengers and cargo. Body control is fairly decent, and you will note nice traction on the road.
The steering wheels require relatively less force to turn. Hence, you can maneuver the vehicle quite comfortably at low speeds. On the highway, handling the steering wheel feels rather effortless. This makes for pretty good driving comfort along with the high driving position.
Appearance EX-L vs Touring
Appearance-wise there are subtle differences between the two. However, they can have a strong impact on functionality.
The EX-L is equipped with an acoustic glass windshield, body-colored door handles, remote entry (programmable), powered liftgate, and auto on-off technology integrated into LED headlights.
In the Touring, you will find acoustic glass for windshield plus side windows, chrome-colored door handles, and a powered liftgate (hands-free).
Honda Pilot Overview
The Honda Pilot is the solution for customers who want lots of cabin space but are not keen on buying a minivan. The 3-row crossover may not be as versatile as the Honda Odyssey. However, it does share key features like the V-6 powertrain and other driving capabilities.
The Pilot does not have sliding doors, nor does not it have a lot of space in the 3rd row. However, it does compensate with certain highly attractive features like 5,000 pounds towing capability*, all-wheel drive (available as an upgrade), and a higher position for the driver.
* For 5,000-pound towing capability, you will have to upgrade from 2WD to 4WD for around $2,000. Without this upgrade, towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.
The cabin space is sufficiently comfortable and roomy; the external appearance is fair enough. But it is not as good as the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride.
Although the Pilot may not have many fancy features and a flashy appearance, it does feel nice to drive, plus it’s way better than a minivan.
Fuel Economy EX-L vs Touring
The fuel economy of the Honda Pilot is quite good for its category. The vehicle has good mileage for its size and weight. It scores quite well in EPA tests.
The 2WD model can reach a mileage of 20 mpg in urban settings. Mileage goes up 27 mpg on highways.
The 4WD model shaves off one mpg in EPA testing. Hence, the 4-wheel drive mileage for cities is 19 mpg, while it is 26 mpg for highways.
Value for Money
The Honda Pilot is somewhat pricier compared to its rivals. However, it does offer better cabin space, quality feel, and comfort compared to other models in its category. So the price should not be too much of an issue, for you are getting pretty nice value for money.
Although it is a non-luxury vehicle, it has a fairly good blend of assembly and materials.
The matte finish of secondary controls, glossy trim, and the dashboard’s soft-touch plastic material all provide comfort and are attractive in terms of appearance.
Performance EX-L vs Touring
The Honda Pilot turns out to be a surprisingly capable vehicle in terms of performance concerning its size.
Sprinting from 0-60 miles per hour takes 7 seconds. This is a little faster than most other vehicles in its category.
Brakes feel quite consistent. Using them for everyday driving is pretty straightforward. Braking is likewise efficient.
The braking distance (from 60 miles per hour) is 129 feet, which is decent enough for its class.
Driving around twisting tracks is not an issue. The Honda Pilot can handle twisty roads with finesse. Hence, it drives more nimbly than many other rivals in its category.
The steering is very accurate and quite smooth.
The all-wheel-drive powertrain is good enough for slippery roads. However, the Honda Pilot does not have enough ground clearance or off-road technology like hill descent control. Hence, it is not ideal for off-road driving.
Storage Space
If you are certain that you will be carrying lots of things, you may want to consider the Honda Pilot since it has plenty of cargo space. Behind the 3rd row, there are 16.5 cubic feet of space which are quite solid.
When the 3rd and 2nd rows are folded, then the space extends to 83 cubic feet. So if you need to buy an entire month’s supply of groceries, then you are likely to find that the Honda Pilot offers enough space.
Added to that, big door pockets are useful for storing smaller stuff. The center console also has storage space to safely keep smaller items.
You can upgrade the 3,500 pounds towing capacity to 5,000 with the all-wheel-drive upgrade, which is competitive with its class.
Driving Comfort
Whether you are cruising about in the city or traveling on highways, you will find that the Honda Pilot drives fairly smoothly. Hence, the ride quality is decent and comfortable.
Body movements are kept well under control. The Honda Pilot absorbs small bumps so that you barely feel them.
The lower and back parts of front seats offer plenty of support and thus a high level of comfort, especially for long trips.
Second-row seats are also quite cozy. You can slide them and recline them according to your preferences.
The powerful V6 sound becomes noticeable when you rev up the engine. The cabin keeps out most of the sound, which is a plus point. Hence, you won’t be distracted by wind or tire noise while driving.
Climate control works quite well. Hence, everyone inside can feel comfortable.
Drivers can also adjust the seat position to suit their personal preferences. The fairly high driver seat gives the driver a great view of the road.
Honda Pilot Warranty
The basic warranty stands at 36,000 miles/3 years. The powertrain warranty coverage is 5-years/ 60,000 miles – This is average for its category.
Other Features to Consider
Honda Pilot is the Japanese automaker’s biggest and best 3-row crossover. One nice feature to note is that there is enough room in the backseat to accommodate adults. This is important since some vehicles in this category have enough space in the backroom for kids only.
There is also a huge amount of cargo space at the back. You can fold down the 3rd row if you want to increase cargo space. If you desire even more space, you can easily pull down the second row as well. This way, you will have enough space for outdoor trips and camping.
The engine is powerful and fuel-efficient. The ride comfort and seating quality are likewise impressive.
But you should also know that the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade offer greater cabin refinement and more space.
The Mazda CX-9 could be another alternative that you might want to consider. The size of this vehicle is smaller, no doubt. However, it is a more agile vehicle that can deliver a great driving experience.
That being said, the Honda Pilot is a decent choice for 3-row family-friendly crossover.
Bottom Line
The Honda Pilot EX-L vs. Touring comparison above can give you an idea of which trim level will suit your wants and budget. Before you decide, go through the above guide for a better purchase!