The 2025 GMC Acadia vs. Honda Pilot

• Power advantage: Acadia turbo 2.5L makes 328 hp & 326 lb-ft vs. Pilot’s 285 hp & 262 lb-ft.
• Space & tech: Acadia offers up to 97.5 cu ft cargo and a 15″ infotainment screen; Pilot tops at 87 cu ft and a 7.0″ screen.
• Driver assistance: Acadia offers available Super Cruise; Pilot does not offer a hands-free system.

If you’re a driver who has a bigger family or just needs more space in your car to hold cargo for weekend trips around Ohio or business in Bellefontaine, an SUV is an ideal car for you. The two models that stand out in the SUV market are the GMC Acadia and the Honda Pilot. Both models offer you great technology, comfort features, and engine options, with their 2025 editions bringing exciting upgrades.

If you’re undecided between the GMC Acadia and the Honda Pilot, consider looking for features that appeal to you. The Honda Pilot has a reputation as a reliable commuter vehicle, but the 2025 GMC Acadia has been redesigned, including upgraded tech and enhanced performance. At Steve Austin’s Auto Group in Bellefontaine, we compiled this detailed car comparison review to help you decide which is the better SUV for your needs.

Design and Exterior Appeal

While performance and features are important, everyone wants an attractive exterior. This is where the 2025 GMC Acadia shines. Its brand-new design features a sculpted profile enhanced by distinctive LED lighting, a geometric-patterned grille, and optional wheel sizes ranging from 18 to 22 inches. You can also choose from six colors based on the trim, ranging from classic black and metallic gray to rosy crystal metallic.

The 2025 Honda Pilot maintains a safer design, with a sleek and aerodynamic exterior that blends in with other vehicles in traffic. It looks good with its front hexagon-mesh grille and LED headlights that make it stand out. The colors are more conservative, such as Radiant Red, Black Pearl, Obsidian Blue, Lunar Silver, Platinum White, and Sonic Gray.

Performance, Efficiency, and Mechanical Specifications

Ultimately, the GMC vs. Honda reliability comparison comes down to the vehicle’s performance and efficiency, which is where the Acadia outperforms the Pilot in a few areas.

The Acadia is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine that generates 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trim levels, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive if you enjoy off-roading. The Acadia can tow up to 5,000 pounds and has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which is pretty good for an SUV of its size.

The Pilot’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, significantly lower than the Acadia’s. It also comes standard with front-wheel drive, upgradable to all-wheel drive, and has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Regarding fuel efficiency, the Honda Pilot falls slightly short, achieving an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

Interior Comfort, Technology, and Space

This year, GMC revamped the Acadia SUV with contemporary tech and a more appealing interior. It comfortably seats up to eight and features a large center console with tons of cubby storage for your keys, sunglasses, and other accessories. Cargo space is also plentiful, with up to 23 cubic feet behind the third row and 97.5 cubic feet behind the first row.

The Acadia features an 11-inch digital gauge cluster and a 15-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touch screen that you can customize. Voice-activated infotainment and wireless smartphone charging are standard across all trims. You can upgrade to enjoy a 16-speaker theater-style audio system, heated and ventilated massage seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

The Honda Pilot also seats up to eight but only has 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 87 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded. A nice feature of the Pilot is the cupholder spaces that can hold 32-ounce water bottles, a great way for you to stay hydrated.

Tech-wise, the Pilot features a 7.0-inch infotainment touch screen and digital gauge cluster, almost half the size of the Acadia’s infotainment screen. Wireless smartphone charging and integration are also standard on all trims, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrade the Pilot to include a premium 12-speaker Bose system and a panoramic moonroof.

Safety, Tech Features, and Pricing

GMC and Honda are both safety-conscious. GMC Pro Safety Plus is standard on all Acadia models and includes features such as automated emergency braking, high-beam headlamps, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. You can upgrade to the Super Cruise, GMC’s signature hands-free driving system.

The Pilot has Honda Sensing with standard driver-assistance tech such as automated emergency braking and high-beam headlamps, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an optional hands-free driving system.

In terms of pricing, the 2025 GMC Acadia has an MSRP starting at $43,000 for the Elevation and goes up to a starting price of $54,100 for the luxurious top-tier Denali. The Acadia’s price is more than justified, given the level of premium features, performance, and technology offered.

The Honda Pilot has a starting MSRP of $40,200 for the entry-level Sport. While the entry-level Acadia costs almost $3,000 more than the Pilot, its additional tech features, space, and powerful engine make it well worth the higher price tag.

See which 2025 Midsize SUV Is Right for You at Steve Austin’s Auto Group

Both the 2025 GMC Acadia and Honda Pilot are great SUV choices with impressive safety, performance, and interior features. However, we believe that the Acadia is the more compelling option, considering its superior tech framework, performance, and interior features. If you’re ready to explore the Acadia, look through our online inventory, or contact us today to schedule a test drive in a new GMC Acadia.