Honda Pilot Towing Capacity by Year, Engine & Trim

The Pilot sits squarely in the three-row crossover competitive set alongside the Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Chevy Traverse. Its 5,000 lb tow rating is average for the segment — not class-leading, but enough for most recreational towing needs. For a full explanation of how tow ratings are determined, our towing capacity guide covers the fundamentals.

Use our towing capacity lookup tool to check your specific Pilot configuration.

The maximum Honda Pilot towing capacity is 5,000 lbs, available on 2023–2025 models with AWD and the factory towing hitch/package. This same 5,000 lb ceiling has been the Pilot's maximum since the 3rd generation (2016–2022), provided the correct equipment is installed.

The 3.5L V6 produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque — consistent across all trims from the base EX-L to the TrailSport to the Black Edition. Unlike competitors that offer different engines for different tow ratings, every Pilot has the same powertrain. The tow rating difference between 3,500 and 5,000 lbs comes entirely from the towing package and drivetrain.

The factory towing package includes a trailer hitch with a 2-inch receiver, a 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harness, a transmission cooler, and a heavy-duty radiator fan. These cooling upgrades allow the transmission to handle the thermal load of 5,000 lbs without overheating — the same reason every other manufacturer's tow rating jumps with a tow package.

⚠️ Warning: Honda dealers sometimes install aftermarket hitches that don't include the transmission cooler or upgraded radiator components. If the hitch was added after purchase, your Pilot may not have the cooling system to safely tow 5,000 lbs. Verify the factory towing package (not just the hitch) is present on the build sheet or window sticker.

For details on finding your specific tow rating, our guide on how to find towing capacity covers every method.

The Pilot's tow rating has climbed steadily from 3,500 lbs on the 1st gen to 5,000 lbs on current models. Here's every generation with its maximum rating.

Use the tool below to look up your exact Pilot year and configuration.

Source: Honda Motor Company Towing Specifications (honda.com); Edmunds vehicle specifications (edmunds.com)

The 3.5L V6 has been the Pilot's only engine across all four generations. Honda has refined, redesigned, and retuned this engine family multiple times, but the displacement and cylinder count have stayed constant since 2003. The 2016+ version adds direct injection and variable cylinder management (VCM) for improved fuel economy.

The 2nd and 3rd gen tow rating jump (3,500 → 5,000 with AWD and tow package) reflects the cooling system upgrade, not an engine power increase. The V6 output has only changed by about 20 hp across all generations (from 255 to 285 hp), but the transmission and cooling systems have improved significantly.

💡 Pro Tip: The 3rd gen Pilot (2016–2022) is an excellent used towing option at $22,000–32,000. It shares the same 5,000 lb tow rating as the new 4th gen with the tow package. The only towing-relevant advantage of the 4th gen is the 10-speed automatic (smoother shifts under load) and a stiffer chassis. If your towing needs are occasional, the 3rd gen saves $10,000–15,000.

No — the TrailSport is rated at 5,000 lbs with the towing package, the same as the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition with AWD. The TrailSport's off-road upgrades don't change the published tow rating.

What the TrailSport adds is access. It features all-terrain tires, steel front skid plates, 0.6 inches of additional ground clearance (8.3 inches total), trail-specific AWD logic with selectable terrain modes, and orange-accented interior trim. For towing to unpaved campgrounds, gravel boat ramps, or forest service roads, these upgrades matter more than the tow number itself.

The all-terrain tires deserve specific mention for towing. Standard highway tires optimize for road grip and fuel economy. The TrailSport's Firestone Destination A/T2 tires provide better traction on loose surfaces when launching with a trailer on gravel or dirt. The tradeoff is slightly higher highway noise and 1–2 MPG lower fuel economy.

💡 Key Insight: The TrailSport is the Pilot to buy if your towing involves unpaved last-mile access — boat ramps, campground loops, hunting land. If all your towing is highway and suburban, the Touring or EX-L with the tow package delivers the same 5,000 lbs at a lower price point with quieter highway behavior.

The Pilot's 5,000 lb rating is average for the three-row segment — matching several direct competitors while trailing those with RWD platforms or V8 options.

Source: Manufacturer specifications via Edmunds (edmunds.com) and KBB (kbb.com)

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade edge the Pilot by 500 lbs at 5,500 lbs while costing $4,000–5,000 less. Both use a 3.8L V6 with more torque than the Pilot's 3.5L, making them the better value for towing in this segment.

The Ford Explorer at 5,300 lbs (base) to 5,600 lbs (V6) beats the Pilot on towing, thanks to its RWD-based platform. But the Explorer's interior quality and cargo space trail the Pilot in most comparisons.

The Pilot's advantage over competitors is Honda reliability, strong resale value, and an exceptionally well-sorted chassis for daily driving comfort. If towing is secondary to family transportation, the Pilot's overall ownership experience compensates for the 500 lb deficit vs. the Telluride.

For a complete ranking, see our SUV towing capacity rankings.

Three variables determine your Pilot's tow rating: the towing package, drivetrain (FWD vs AWD), and payload management.

Towing Package and Drivetrain

AWD models with the factory towing package reach 5,000 lbs. FWD models without it sit at 3,500 lbs. The package adds the transmission cooler and upgraded radiator that allow sustained towing loads — without these components, the transmission overheats under extended towing at higher weights.

Payload Is Tight

The Pilot's payload capacity is approximately 1,310–1,583 lbs depending on trim and options. With a 5,000 lb trailer, tongue weight at 10–15% equals 500–750 lbs — that's 32–57% of payload before passengers and cargo. The Pilot's payload ceiling is lower than most competitors, making tongue weight management critical.

Understanding tongue weight is especially important on the Pilot because the unibody structure and independent rear suspension are more sensitive to rear-end loading than body-on-frame vehicles. The relationship between towing capacity and payload determines your real safety margin.

GCWR Ceiling

The Pilot's GCWR of 11,000 lbs is the combined ceiling. The Pilot weighs approximately 4,300–4,600 lbs. That leaves roughly 6,400–6,700 lbs for trailer plus everything in the vehicle. Our GCWR guide breaks this down fully.

⚠️ Warning: The Pilot's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system deactivates cylinders during light-load cruising. Under towing loads, VCM should stay disabled (all 6 cylinders active). If you feel vibration or hear unusual engine sounds while towing, the engine management may be cycling incorrectly. The 4th gen has improved VCM calibration, but earlier 3rd gen models (2016–2019) had known VCM-related vibration issues that worsen under towing loads.

Use the Can I Tow This calculator to verify your specific Pilot handles your planned load. For boat-specific considerations, our boat towing guide covers trailer weights by boat class. Make sure your hitch type matches your trailer — our hitch types guide covers the options.

The Pilot is a reliable, comfortable three-row crossover for occasional recreational towing under 4,500 lbs. It's not a towing-first vehicle, but it handles the role competently when equipped correctly.

Buy the Pilot for towing if:

• Your typical load is 2,500–4,500 lbs (pop-up campers, small boats, jet skis, utility trailers)
• You want Honda reliability and resale value alongside towing capability
• Daily family transportation is the primary use, towing is secondary
• You value the Pilot's interior quality, cargo space, and ride comfort
• The TrailSport's off-road access appeals for reaching campgrounds and boat ramps

Don't buy the Pilot for towing if:

• You need over 5,000 lbs — an Explorer, Durango, or truck provides more headroom
• You tow frequently or at maximum capacity — the Pilot works hard at 5,000 lbs on grades
• You need maximum payload for passengers plus tongue weight — the Pilot's payload ceiling is tighter than competitors
• Budget is the priority — the Telluride and Palisade offer 500 more lbs of towing for $4,000 less

💡 Pro Tip: Get the AWD model with the factory towing package — it's the only way to reach 5,000 lbs. The incremental cost of AWD + tow package over a base FWD model is roughly $3,000–4,000 and adds 1,500 lbs of towing capacity. On a per-dollar basis, that's the most impactful upgrade on the vehicle.