Honda Pilot Towing Capacity
The Honda Pilot is family friendly and off-road-ready, that's no secret, but did you know all the fun you could have in Virginia thanks to the truck-like Honda Pilot towing capacity? Not only is this SUV fitted with three rows of seats, but its trunk is also extra roomy, and every 2025 trim can tow up to 5,000 pounds.1 If you've been searching for a vacation vehicle for you, your family, and your toys, look no further than DARCARS Honda Fairfax and our selection of premium new Pilot SUVs.
Fun Facts About Honda Pilot Towing Capacity
- Honda Pilot AWD towing capacity is equal to that of the Honda Ridgeline truck.
- An integrated Class III trailer hitch comes standard on the lineup's off-road TrailSport trim.
- Follow the 80% rule: Only pack your SUV to 80% of the 2025 Honda Pilot towing capacity for the safest travels.
- Regardless of model year, the Honda SUV towing capacity can handle plenty of outdoor toys, including motorcycles, canoes, kayaks, Jet Skis, and fishing boats.
Honda Pilot Towing Capacity by Trim Level
All new Honda Pilot trim levels come with a standard tow hitch and can be built with an available Honda Pilot with tow package for access to the SUV's full towing capacity. The 2025 tow package includes a trailer hitch, harness, hitch ball mount, hitch panel, and professional installation.
In the chart below, you'll notice no difference between Honda Pilot TrailSport towing capacity and other AWD Pilot trims, but the TrailSport is the only variant to come with a Class III tow hitch, a 2nd-Gen i-VTM4, Trail Torque Logic, and all-terrain tires.
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| 2025 Pilot Sport | 2025 Pilot EX-L | 2025 Pilot EX-L w/HPD Wheels | 2025 Pilot TrailSport | 2025 Pilot Touring | 2025 Touring w/HPD Wheels | 2025 Pilot Elite | 2025 Pilot Black Edition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD1 | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | N/A | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | N/A | N/A |
| AWD1 | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
Honda Pilot Towing Capacity by Year
Pre-2016 Honda Pilot Towing Capacity
If you're shopping for a used Honda Pilot, you might encounter a 4WD system that offers fantastic control but restricts your towing capacity to 4,500 pounds.1 That's 3,600 pounds following the 80% towing rule, meaning the SUV could haul small to mid-sized travel trailers, ATVs, pop-up campers, or open utility trailers.
2016 to Present-Day Honda Pilot Towing Capacity
The new Honda Pilot swaps its 4WD setup for all-wheel drive, increasing the Honda Pilot tow rating to 5,000 pounds.1 With this much power, the Pilot – and the Honda Passport towing capacity, too – can easily tow a 24-foot camper, a trailer with two side-by-sides, or a 22-foot boat.
Travel Virginia With Your Tech-Forward, Tow-Ready Honda Pilot
Maybe you're a Fairfax, VA, resident craving a weekend on the water – just you and your fishing rod at Burke Lake Park. Drive further south, and you could set up camp at Prince William Forest Park for scenic hiking or biking. Prefer the serenity of Belmont Bay? Load your Honda Pilot with a few canoes and head down to Mason Neck State Park's boat launch.
Whether you're looking for an adrenaline injection on a Spearhead Trails' ATV path or excited about soaking up the sunshine at Virginia Beach, the Honda Pilot tow capacity can make these daydreams a reality.
Besides the Pilot's impressive towing capabilities, this midsize SUV also has a fully equipped cabin packed with inventive storage solutions, plus an ample 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space in all but the Sport and TrailSport trims.
As for tech features, drivers can customize their Pilot's performance by toggling between up to seven available drive modes, including Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, and Tow. The SUV's available TrailWatch system displays a live feed of the surrounding terrain on the cabin's center screen and automatically activates when in Trail mode.
Start Your Honda Pilot Adventure in Fairfax, VA, Today
Shop DARCARS Honda Fairfax for the Honda Pilot towing strength you need and lease and finance incentives you want. Curious about other models' towing strengths and features? Check out our Honda Pilot vs. Passport comparison, or tour both vehicles in person at our Fairfax, VA, dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Pilot a midsize or full-size SUV?
Despite its label of midsize SUV, the Honda Pilot is a spacious family vehicle that's fitted with three rows of seating for up to eight people. The 2025 edition offers up to 158.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, including 40.8 inches of second-row legroom and a kid-friendly 32.5 inches of legroom in the third row.
Is the Honda Pilot bigger than the Honda CR-V?
The Honda Pilot is 15.1 inches longer, 5 inches wider, and up to 5.5 inches taller than its CR-V sibling. Both SUVs have near-identical legroom in their first and second rows, but to haul a trailer, you'll want the Honda Pilot towing capacity of 3,500 or 5,000 pounds1 instead of the CR-V and its 1,500-pound tow limit.1
How many miles does a Honda Pilot usually last?
You can expect a Honda Pilot to last up to 250,000 miles with proper maintenance and repairs. Most Pilot SUVs reach 150,000 miles before needing more serious repairs. Make sure you choose a service center that specializes in Honda vehicles, like ours at DARCARS Honda Fairfax, for brand-specific diagnostics, trained technicians, and work that meets the stringent Honda standards.
Can I tow a camper with a Honda Pilot in Virginia?
Yes, the Honda Pilot towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds1 when equipped with all-wheel drive and a tow package means you can bring along a 24-foot camper for overnight trips to Jefferson National Forest. When built with 2WD, the Pilot can tow up to 3,500 pounds,1 which is enough power to haul a pop-up camper to your favorite spots in Virginia.
Which Honda SUV is best for weekend trips to Shenandoah?
The best Honda SUV for a weekend in Shenandoah depends on what you'd like to do while you're there. If you're a Fairfax, VA, family with a camper, you'll likely want the towing capacity of a Honda Pilot or Passport. Is hiking high on your priority list? A Honda CR-V with elevated ground clearance and a minimum 16.1-degree approach angle can help you reach the best trails.
Featured Customer Review
Mehmet
8/1/2025
Bought my New Honda Pilot from this dealership. Salesperson Ferhat was really helpful, kind and answered all the questions that I had. A special thanks for General Manager Mr. Kürsad. He was really helpfull too. I really appreciate you guys for your help.
1Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.