2020 Honda Pilot towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- Touring AWD, 3.5L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 3,500 lb.
- Top 35% of 120 SUVs (2020).
Trailer check
Yes. 4,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 4,000 lb
- Margin
- 1,000 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 93% of 4,306 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 13-18 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 4,000 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 5,000 lb: Touring AWD, $44,720.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touring AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,626 lb | 4,306 lb | $44,720 |
| LX 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,036 lb to 4,259 lb | $31,650 |
| EX 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,060 lb to 4,259 lb | $34,530 |
| EX-L 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,097 lb to 4,259 lb | $37,960 |
| EX-L w/Navi & RES 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,127 lb to 4,259 lb | $39,960 |
| EX-L FWD with Navigation and RES | N/A | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $41,960 |
| Touring FWD | 3.5L 6cyl | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $42,720 |
| Touring 8-Passenger 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,125 lb to 4,259 lb | $42,720 |
| Touring 7-Passenger 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,107 lb to 4,259 lb | $43,020 |
| Touring FWD with Rear Captain's Chairs | N/A | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $43,020 |
| Touring 8-Passenger AWD | 3.5L | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,306 lb | $44,720 |
| Touring 7-Passenger AWD | 3.5L | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,285 lb | $45,020 |
| LX AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,537 lb | 4,217 lb | $33,650 |
| EX AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,555 lb | 4,235 lb | $36,530 |
| EX-L AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,607 lb | 4,287 lb | $39,960 |
| EX-L w/Navi & RES AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,627 lb | 4,307 lb | $41,960 |
| Elite AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,639 lb | 4,319 lb | $48,220 |
| Black Edition AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,639 lb | 4,319 lb | $49,720 |
No rating listed: 2 trims.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2016: 4,500 lb to 5,000 lb.
- Changed in 2018: 5,000 lb to 3,500 lb.
- Changed in 2019: 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot (this car) | 5,000 lb | Touring AWD | $44,720 |
| Honda Passport | 5,000 lb | Sport AWD | $33,990 |
| Kia Telluride | 5,000 lb | LX FWD | $31,890 |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,000 lb | L FWD | $34,600 |
| Honda Odyssey | 3,500 lb | LX FWD | $30,790 |
| Honda CR-V | 1,500 lb | LX 2WD | $25,150 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree