2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$40,200 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference is the 2025 Honda Pilot's 25 horsepower advantage, producing 285 hp compared to the Subaru Ascent's 260 hp, though the Ascent counters with 15 lb-ft more torque at 277 lb-ft versus the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Fuel economy is identical, with both achieving a combined 22 MPG. Priced at $40,200, the Pilot is $205 more expensive than the Ascent's $39,995 MSRP. Dimensionally, the Pilot offers greater utility, measuring 199.9 inches long and providing 18.6 cu ft of standard cargo space, significantly more than the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft, despite the Ascent being 0.6 inches taller at 71.6 inches. The Pilot utilizes a 10-speed automatic transmission while the Ascent employs a CVT, which affects overall driving dynamics.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), a distinct advantage over the Pilot's standard Front Wheel Drive configuration for varying commuter conditions.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot delivers superior usable space with 18.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Pilot’s 285 hp and 10-speed automatic transmission provide a more conventional and potentially responsive powertrain experience than the Ascent's 260 hp and CVT setup.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent offers standard AWD and superior torque (277 lb-ft) for $205 less than the Honda Pilot’s MSRP of $40,200.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You prioritize maximum interior volume, as the Pilot offers 18.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission over a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
You require the highest peak power output, featuring 285 horsepower.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is mandatory for your driving environment.
You are focused on maximizing torque efficiency, as the Ascent produces 277 lb-ft.
You aim to save $205 on the initial purchase price with an MSRP of $39,995.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Subaru Ascent
Length	199.9"	196.8"
Width	78.5"	76.0"
Height	71.0"	71.6"
Wheelbase	113.8"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

Which vehicle has better power delivery between the Pilot and Ascent?

The 2025 Honda Pilot outputs 285 hp, surpassing the Ascent's 260 hp. However, the Ascent compensates with 277 lb-ft of torque, which is 15 lb-ft greater than the Pilot's 262 lb-ft.

How do the base drive systems compare for adverse weather?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), making it inherently better equipped for slippery conditions than the base 2025 Honda Pilot, which comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD).

Is the difference in cargo capacity significant for packing?

Yes, the Pilot offers 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space standard, whereas the Ascent provides 17.8 cubic feet; this 0.8 cu ft difference can matter for larger gear loads.

What is the exact price difference between the two models?

The 2025 Honda Pilot starts at $40,200 MSRP, making it $205 more expensive than the 2025 Subaru Ascent, which is priced at $39,995.

Does one vehicle achieve better fuel economy than the other?

No, both vehicles are rated identically for fuel efficiency, achieving a combined 22 MPG; the Pilot manages 19/27 MPG (City/Highway) while the Ascent achieves 20/26 MPG (City/Highway).

What determines the difference in driving feel between the two automatic transmissions?

The Pilot utilizes a conventional 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, designed for stepped gear changes, while the Ascent uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which provides smooth, stepless acceleration.