The 2025 Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee L are midsize SUVs with three rows of family-friendly seating and a solid degree of off-road driving prowess. If your idea of a fun weekend involves going places without paved roads, these two could be worth consideration.
The Pilot’s complete redesign last year remains fresh, and it’s full of sought-after gear, such as available all-wheel drive (AWD), smartphone connectivity, a user-friendly infotainment system, and a comprehensive roster of driver aids.
The Grand Cherokee L is the extended version of the regular 2-row Grand Cherokee, which we compare with the Honda Passport here. It features Jeep’s go-anywhere capability and the upper trims rival luxury SUVs in terms of their feature content and elegant appointments.
Let’s explore some highlights of the Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
2025 Honda Pilot
You can get the Honda Pilot in one of six trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition. The Sport trim replaces the now-departed LX at the bottom of the lineup while the Black Edition is the new top level. Pricing for the Pilot Sport starts at $41,650, while the bells-and-whistles Elite commands $54,430. Front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive are available. Getting the Pilot down the road is a 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission. During miles of road tests, we’ve enjoyed the refinement and acceleration provided by this powertrain.
Because safety is a top priority for many SUV shoppers, Honda fits every Pilot with driver aids like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention monitor, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning.
Honda Pilot Highlights
TrailSport model: The TrailSport gives the Honda Pilot extra off-road credibility that was lacking from previous generations. While the Pilot has always been considered a solid value with easygoing driving manners, it was sometimes criticized for looking and feeling like a high-riding version of Honda’s own Odyssey minivan. In toughened-up TrailSport trim, you get chunky all-terrain tires, a full-size spare, more rugged suspension settings, underbody steel skid plates, and a 360-degree parking camera. You also get niceties like synthetic leather upholstery with orange accents, second-row captain’s chairs, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof.
Walk Away Close: We love how useful Walk Away Close proves to be when you have lots of stuff to unload. When activated via a button in the cargo hold, this power-operated tailgate automatically closes after 30 seconds once it detects the fob at least three feet from the rear of the vehicle.
Removable and stowable seat: A removable center seat that can also serve as a console is positioned between the available second-row captain’s chairs. Better still, if you don’t need the extra seat or storage, it can be tucked into an underfloor bin located in the trunk. It adds minivan-like family-friendliness to the Honda Pilot.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Pilot models for sale near you.
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L starts at $40,830, but its most expensive trims soar far beyond $60,000. There are eight trims in total: Laredo, Laredo X, Altitude, Altitude X, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. In Jeep’s extensive lineup, the Grand Cherokee is positioned above the 2-row Grand Cherokee and below the 3-row Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
Standard is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 293 hp and comes fitted to an 8-speed automatic. Rear-wheel (RWD) and 4-wheel (4WD) drives are available, though the latter comes standard on higher trims.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Highlights
Go-anywhere Jeep toughness: True to Jeep tradition, the Grand Cherokee L has much more off-road ability than just about all its direct competitors. Credit the Quadra-Trac I 4WD system, which gives this large people mover amazing grip over rocks, through mud and snow, or whatever else you want to throw its way. Higher trims have a more advanced version of Quadra-Trac II with a 2-speed transfer case.
Opulent interior: The luxurious and tech-filled cabin of a top-of-the-line model like the Summit Reserve makes some SUVs with 6-figure prices look downright dowdy in comparison. It has a digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.2-inch screen in front of the passenger. It is decked out with Palermo leather, massaging front seats, and a booming McIntosh surround-sound audio system.
Make a connection: The Uconnect infotainment system in the Grand Cherokee L is filled with helpful features and is easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment. And if you need an impressive sound system, Jeep offers options from Alpine and McIntosh.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Grand Cherokee L models for sale near you.
Similarities
SUV shoppers needing the extra seating versatility of a 3-row model would be smart to put the Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee on their shopping lists. They can tow and haul pretty much anything you’ll want to bring along for a journey. And neither will fall to pieces if the road ahead turns rough and rocky.
Pricing
New 2025 Honda Pilot Prices
|
$41,650 |
$39,013 |
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$44,950 |
$41,965 |
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$48,950 |
$45,606 |
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$50,850 |
$47,427 |
|||
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$54,530 |
$51,050 |
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|
$56,030 |
$52,203 |
New 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Prices
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$40,830 |
$39,731 |
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$41,330 |
$40,218 |
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$45,435 |
$44,212 |
|||
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$45,935 |
$44,699 |
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$46,700 |
$45,443 |
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|
$60,790 |
$59,154 |
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|
$62,355 |
$60,365 |
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|
$66,835 |
$64,702 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles and New 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | 3.6-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 293 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 19 city/27 highway/22 combined | 19 city/26 highway/21 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | 4WD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 121.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 199.9 inches | 204.9 inches |
| Width | 78.5 inches | 77.9 inches |
| Height | 71.0 inches | 71.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.8 feet | 39.6 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.5 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.2 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 39.3 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.8 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 32.5 inches | 30.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.9 inches | 59.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 58.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 59.5 inches | 51.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 18.6/48.5/87.0 cubic feet | 17.2/46.9/84.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
We appreciate the Jeep’s appeal to those who love the brand’s rough-and-tumble image. The Grand Cherokee L pushes many of the right buttons, and the highest trims have awe-inspiring cabin designs that give this Jeep the air of a luxury vehicle.
On the other hand, compared to the Honda Pilot, many versions of the Grand Cherokee L tend to end up with a luxury-level price attached. Unless you really need a luxury interior and all-terrain prowess, the Honda Pilot is the one we think represents the better overall value and should provide many years of trouble-free service.