Honda Pilot Towing Capacity: Towing Specs By Year With Chart
For those who are always ready for the next adventure, the Honda Pilot towing capacity allows outdoor enthusiasts to bring everything they need to enjoy their time in the woods or on the water. No matter if you're loading up an ATV, Jet Ski, or teardrop camper, the Pilot is a weekend warrior ready to take your excursions to the next level. Here, we focus on the Honda Pilot's critical towing specs to show how this SUV brings the power you need when hauling, giving you complete confidence on the road.
New Honda Pilot at a Glance
- The new Honda Pilot is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds1 with the AWD drivetrain.
- The Pilot is equipped with a 285-horsepower V-6 engine and an available i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive system.
- Depending on the model and its payload, the Pilot can tow a camper up to 24 feet long when properly equipped.
- The TrailSport trim comes standard with a trailer hitch receiver and a rear recovery point.
How Much Can a Honda Pilot Tow?
All six trims of the rugged 2025 Honda Pilot are equipped with a Tow drive mode, so right from the start, you know this SUV is ready for action.
The Sport, EX-L, and Touring trim levels offer a choice of 2WD or AWD configurations, with the 2WD giving a respective tow rating of 3,500 pounds1 and the available AWD providing a max capacity of 5,000 pounds1 due to torque distribution increasing the vehicle's traction. When you choose the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition for standard AWD, you get the max 5,000-pound towing capacity.1
What Can a Honda Pilot Tow?
Now that you know the towing capacity across the trim levels, adventure enthusiasts might be asking what kind of items they can tow with the new Honda Pilot, especially that camper you can't wait to hook up. Here's a starting list to give you an idea of what this SUV is capable of hauling:
- With a model rated for 5,000 pounds1, the Honda Pilot towing camper capacity can handle the average 24-foot camper, a trailer with two side-by-sides, or a 22-foot boat.
- The 2WD models are equipped with a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds1 and can pull small trailers, Jet Skis, teardrop campers, and some pop-up campers.
But how does the 2025 Honda Pilot towing capacity hold up to the past model years? To compare, we've put together a chart illustrating Honda Pilot towing capacity by year. This visual helps you see just how much recent pre-owned models can tow so you can better determine if you'd prefer to buy a brand-new SUV or go with an older vehicle.
Honda Pilot Towing Capacity Chart |
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|---|---|---|
| Year | Honda Pilot 2WD | Honda Pilot AWD |
| 2016 - 2025 | 3,500 lbs1 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2012 - 2015 | 2,000 lbs1 | 4,500 lbs1 |
| 2009 - 2011 | 3,500 lbs1 | 4,500 lbs1 |
| 2003 - 2008 | 3,500 lbs1 (for all trailer types) | 4,500 lbs1 (for boat trailers) |
How Can the Honda Pilot Tow That Much?
The Honda Pilot's Surprising Towing Capacity: A Legacy of Strength
Since its inception in 2003, the Pilot has made big waves. It's no secret that the Honda Pilot is not a huge SUV, but that raises the question of how it's able to achieve such an impressive towing capacity. For that, we need to take a step back in time.
The 2015 refresh introduced a streamlined i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive System to the Pilot's capabilities and substantially increased its towing power for every model year thereafter. This i-VTM4 System harnesses a torque-vectoring, electronically controlled, and hydraulically actuated rear differential that distributes optimized torque between the front and rear axles.
Present-Day Power: The 2025 Honda Pilot's Performance Specs
So, moving into the present day, the 2025 Honda Pilot's towing capacity is further enhanced by its performance features. Its powerful V-6 engine and cutting-edge transmission deliver a balanced blend of strength and efficiency, making it a capable performer. Its 24-valve DOHC with dual VTC fills each cylinder more efficiently to improve performance at higher engine speeds. The i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive system adds another layer of precision, improving traction, stability, and cornering across various surfaces.
Powertrain Highlights:
- 285-horsepower V-6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque
- 10-speed automatic transmission featuring Shift-By-Wire and paddle shifters
- Available i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive System for enhanced traction
- Standard drive modes: Normal, ECON, Snow, Tow, and Sport; AWD adds Trail & Sand mode
Performance Features:
- Eco Assist System for enhanced fuel efficiency
- Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist for added safety
- Off-road-tuned suspension in TrailSport for rugged terrains
- Increased ground clearance in TrailSport for better capability
Additionally, the precision-built trailer hitch accessories also allow this rugged sport-ute to deliver outstanding tow strength within the midsize SUV segment. When properly installed alongside an ATF cooler component, the accessories enable Pilot AWD models to reach their maximum tow strength of 5,000 pounds.1 In real-world terms, these numbers mean that your midsize Pilot could tow the weight of a large meteor – and there's nothing midsize about that!
Learn more about trailer hitches, other accessories, and genuine Honda parts that can maximize your SUV's performance by browsing our online Honda parts department catalog or talking with our experts.
The Honda Pilot's Comfort and Power
The new Honda Pilot is also just as comfortable on the road as it is off, so if you're wondering how this powerful vehicle would perform on weekday errand runs with the family, you're in the right place.
Learn more about the new model year's capabilities and features by perusing all the 2025 Honda Pilot specs online or at our dealership. The benefits of this off-road SUV are endless, so feel free to take your time exploring!
Towing Capacity Calculations & How They Work
If towing calculations pique your interest, we're here to give you the details. First, let's define "towing capacity." This term refers to the maximum amount of mass your SUV can tow when pulling things like ATVs, trailers, and more.
There are multiple ways to measure towing capacity. For the Honda Pilot specifically, the manufacturers calculated its towing capacity by subtracting the vehicle's curb weight from its Gross Combined Weight Rating, or GCWR. The GCWR is the total weight of a loaded Honda Pilot SUV, along with the weight of an attached trailer.
Learn More About Honda SUVs at Muller Honda Highland Park
The experts at Muller Honda Highland Park are here to make sure you have access to a great selection of premium Honda SUVs for sale. Whether you're most interested in a new Honda Pilot or have your eye on another reliable model, our dedicated staff is on hand to support you.
With the help of our knowledgeable sales associates and competitive rates from our finance team, you can slide behind the wheel of a bold new or pre-owned vehicle that delivers excellent payload ratings, versatile cargo space, and luxury interior amenities. Go ahead and plan your next adventure! Our Honda vehicles are up to the challenge, especially those that can tow thousands of pounds of weekend getaway equipment.
What to explore more Honda Pilot features? See how the Honda Pilot 2024 vs. 2025 compare!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Honda Pilot can tow 5,000 pounds?
With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, the Honda Pilot can tow a number of different types of campers, from pop-up campers to teardrop campers. When equipped with the proper trailer hitch and the Tow mode selected from the Drive Mode, the Honda Pilot's towing capacity allows the vehicle to tow up to a 24-foot camper.
How big of a camper can a Honda Pilot pull?
The TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trim levels can tow up to 5,000 pounds,1 while the Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims can tow 3,500 pounds1 with 2WD and 5,000 pounds1 with AWD. This gives the Pilot enough capacity to pull a variety of toys, including a small enclosed trailer, teardrop camper, or a small boat.
Continue Your Honda Research
1Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.