Jislaaik! This Honda Pilot Trim Will Save You R70k (And Still Get the Job Done)

You're looking at dropping over R70,000 extra for features you probably won't even use on the new Honda Pilot? Eish, don't be that guy. Seriously. We’re talking about a family SUV, not a spaceship. Let’s get real about what you *actually* need versus what the dealer is trying to upsell you on. ## So, What's the Kak With All These Pilot Trims, Anyway? Jislaaik, Honda really went to town with the options on the Pilot. Seven trims! It’s enough to give a boet a headache. You’ve got everything from the basic Sport model, all the way up to the fancy-pants Black Edition. Trying to figure out which one is right for you can feel like a proper befok. Some people want all the bells and whistles, no matter the price. Others are watching their wallets, and that’s smart. But most of us, bru, we want something in the middle – good value for money. Something that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve been taken for a ride. ## The EX-L: Where the Magic Happens Here’s the deal: the EX-L trim is where it’s at. According to the research, it strikes the sweet spot between price and features. At $46,190, it's only $2300 more than the base Sport model. Now, $2300 is still a chunk of change, but what you get for it is lekker. We’re talking leather seats (essential for impressing the mother-in-law), a memory system for the driver’s seat (because remembering your perfect position is vital), and a stowable middle seat in the second row – something the basic Sport model misses out on. Plus, a wireless phone charger and parking sensors? Sorted. And, surprisingly, they downgrade the wheels to 18-inch ones from the Sport’s 20s. Honestly? That’s a win. Thicker sidewalls on those tires mean less damage from potholes – and we all know the roads around Sandton aren’t exactly billiard-smooth. ## AWD or FWD? Does It Even Matter Here? Okay, let’s talk 4x4. Do you *really* need all-wheel drive in a family SUV in South Africa? It depends. The front-drive EX-L can tow a maximum of 3500 pounds. Upgrade to all-wheel drive, and that jumps to 5000 pounds. So, if you’re regularly towing a boat to Durban beachfront or a caravan to the bushveld, then the extra R21,000 (that’s the AWD price bump) might be worth it. But for everyday school runs and trips to Checkers, front-wheel drive will probably be just fine. Don’t fall for the marketing hype, bru. ## What Do You Lose When You Skip the Top-Spec Models? Let's be honest, the TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition trims are pushing it. The TrailSport, at $52,090, gets you all-terrain tires and a panoramic sunroof. Nice to have, sure, but are they worth an extra $6,000? The Touring ($52,790) adds a Bose sound system and a hands-free liftgate. The Elite ($55,190) throws in a head-up display and heated seats. And the Black Edition ($56,690)? It’s just…black. It's a bit like paying extra for a black Nando's card – looks cool, but doesn’t change the flavour. The Trailsport, oddly, loses the stowable middle second-row seat that the EX-L has. Kak, right? ## The R46,190 Question: Is the EX-L Actually Worth It? This is the big one. The EX-L costs $46,190. The base Sport model? You’re looking at $43,890. That’s a $2300 difference. For that extra cash, you get a whole lot more comfort and convenience. Leather seats, a stowable second-row seat, wireless charging, parking sensors… it’s a significant upgrade. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in this vehicle – and let’s face it, with load shedding, you probably will be – those little luxuries make a big difference. It's a worthwhile investment, bru. ## Colour Me Impressed (Or Not): The Cost of a Fancy Paint Job Don’t underestimate the cost of a decent colour. Honda offers seven colours, but only four are free. If you want something a bit more…you, you’ll have to cough up an extra $455. Think of all the biltong you could buy with that! ## Pilot vs. The Competition: How Does It Stack Up in SA? Okay, so how does the Pilot stack up against the competition? There's the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. But the Pilot still has a lot to offer. It's a solid, reliable vehicle with a comfortable interior and a relatively simple powertrain. It might not be the flashiest SUV on the market, but it gets the job done. Look, the Honda Pilot isn’t going to set the world on fire. It’s not a Ferrari. It’s a family SUV. But it's a *good* family SUV. And the EX-L trim is the sweet spot. It gives you the features you want, without breaking the bank. It’s smart spending, bru. It’s about getting the most bang for your buck. So, skip the unnecessary extras, choose the EX-L, and spend the savings on a lekker braai. You deserve it. But now we've sorted the SUV, what about the finance? Are you even getting a good deal on the loan? Click here to find out which new car finance deals are the best for July 2026. You don't want to get fleeced, now, do you?