It's easy to choose the Honda brand, but it's difficult to decide which model to purchase. This is especially difficult when faced with two models with varying capabilities at different price ranges; you're then faced with a decision: spend more money on a more capable midsize model or save money on a more efficient compact one.
We're your Honda dealer near Warwick with the answers you need, so once we're done describing the differences and similarities between the 2025 Honda Pilot and CR-V, you can stop by, meet the team, and ask to test drive the model you have your eyes on. Let's get started!
The Audience for the Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is larger than the 2025 CR-V. With three rows of seating instead of two, families in Warwick who need more than five seats should choose the Pilot. Whether it's because you're driving the kids and their friends to school, soccer practice, or a birthday party, the Pilot's higher seating capacity instantly makes it our recommendation for anyone who knows a smaller model won't fit the bill.
The higher passenger capacity of the 2025 Pilot also means it's a more spacious SUV because it's a longer vehicle than the CR-V, at 199.9 inches against 106.3 inches. This is important because it also means the Pilot has a higher cargo capacity. With both rear rows of seats folded, the 2025 Pilot sports a maximum cargo area of 111.8 cu.ft. (though the TrailSport trim has 113.7 cu.ft.). Although you won't need that much cargo space on an average day, it's 46% more than the CR-V.
If you keep the middle row upright, the Pilot is a comfortable ride for two or three passengers, depending on whether you have second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat. With a middle-row bench, the 2025 Pilot's maximum passenger capacity is for eight people (lowered to seven with the captain's chairs). If you live with a spouse and two kids, a two-row SUV will suffice, though a three-row SUV will only enhance everyone's comfort. If you have three or more kids or live with extended family, having a three-row SUV may be the only reasonable solution, and the Pilot is the one we recommend.
The three rows of seating and excellent cargo space are reasons why the Pilot is great for larger families, but they're not the only reasons; the 2025 Pilot has a powerful 3.5L V6 engine under the hood and a 10-speed automatic transmission—a strong powertrain that sees it outputting 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque across its half-dozen trims. The V6 engine allows for excellent capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. If you take the family camping or own a large boat, the Pilot has the power to carry all of the equipment needed for a fun family getaway.
Various mechanical features available for the Pilot that aren't found on the CR-V also help it become the better choice if off-roading is one of your hobbies. The 2025 Pilot's TrailSport trim makes this SUV off-road-ready, including an off-road-tuned suspension, durable all-terrain tires, Hill Descent Control, and a drive mode selector featuring seven drive modes: Econ, Normal, Tow, Trail, Sport, Snow, and Sand. The CR-V, by comparison, has three standard drive modes, with a maximum of four.
The Audience for the CR-V
The 2025 Honda CR-V is a fantastic choice for Warwick drivers looking for an excellent commuter car. It is a compact SUV, meaning it's not as lengthy or hefty as the Pilot and is generally smaller. For commuting, having a shorter vehicle is great for clearance—especially if you're a Warwick commuter who parks in a parking garage each morning.
The 2025 CR-V's compact size makes it more fuel-efficient than the three-row Pilot. Two efficient powertrain options make the CR-V the perfect SUV for commuting on a budget—and since the 2025 model has a lower MSRP than the 2025 Pilot (with a price difference of over $10k), the CR-V is an immediately compelling option for those looking to save money.
The base engine in the 2025 CR-V is a turbocharged 1.5L I-4 paired with a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT). Although the performance achieved by the 2025 CR-V's two available powertrains doesn't top what the 2025 Pilot's V6 engine achieves in horsepower, torque, and towing capacity, the CR-V's powertrains are anything but a slouch. Under the hood, the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine gives base CR-Vs 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque; this output is also enough to handle minimal towing activities with a maximum capacity of 1,500 lbs.
Commuters will be pleased to drive a cost-effective SUV with EPA-estimated ratings of 28 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG combined—and you will, too, if you purchase the base engine with front-wheel drive (FWD).[a] However, AWD is available for the 2025 CR-V, reducing the fuel economy ratings to 26 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway, and 28 MPG combined.[a]
The 2025 CR-V is also available in a few hybrid trims, which is not an option with the Pilot. If you buy a hybrid CR-V, your fuel efficiency will be leaps and bounds above what the Pilot gets you. The powertrain in hybrid CR-V trims is a 2.0L I-4 engine and its two-motor hybrid system. With this, the CR-V's performance is uplifted, with its torque becoming very close to what you get with the Pilot, with an uptick to 247 lb-ft of torque to complement its 204 hp.
Commuters in Warwick will likely save hundreds of dollars a year on gas by purchasing a CR-V hybrid against a Pilot because the fuel economy ratings are outstanding in FWD and AWD. With FWD, the 2025 CR-V's hybrid powertrain earns EPA-estimated ratings of 43 MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and 40 MPG combined, while AWD models achieve 40 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 37 MPG combined.[a] It's fair to say that the 2025 CR-V's hybrid powertrain is one of the best in its class regarding a value-friendly blend of performance and efficiency.
Which Honda SUV Should You Buy?
In many ways, the 2025 Honda Pilot and CR-V couldn't be any different from one another. However, the two SUVs are also alike in some ways you wouldn't expect. For example, although the 2025 Pilot and CR-V provide different levels of performance, cargo space, and efficiency, you can expect identical connectivity features with standard 7-inch infotainment centers and optional 9-inch variants with upgraded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both SUVs also have the same available wireless phone charger and the optional Bose premium audio system.
None of the tech similarities should be enough to choose one vehicle over another, though, since they're unique. If you're a Warwick driver who does most of your traveling alone or with a small group of people, you should save some money and buy a CR-V. If you know that an extra row of seats would usually be needed, then consider the Pilot. Both 2025 models are textbook for Honda's high quality and are perfect choices for your next brand-new SUV.