The Touring trim adds built-in navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, a power tailgate, larger wheels, and premium touches, making it more feature-rich and pricier than the EX-L. The EX-L focuses on luxury touches like leather seating and heated front seats but does not include the Touring-exclusive gadgets.
How the two trims fit in the 2009 Pilot lineup
In 2009, the Honda Pilot offered several trims to cater to families and buyers seeking more comfort or capability. Both EX-L and Touring shared the same core engine and drivetrain options, with variations mainly in equipment and styling rather than fundamental performance.
Shared powertrain and capabilities
Both EX-L and Touring use a 3.5‑liter V6 engine paired with a five‑speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose front‑wheel drive or Honda's Real‑Time AWD system. Towing capacity and seating configurations are similar, though some seating arrangements or options may differ by trim level or package.
Below is a list of features that typically distinguish the Touring from the EX-L in the 2009 Pilot line, noting that exact offerings could vary by market and individual vehicle:
- Navigation system: Standard on Touring; not included as standard on EX-L (availability could depend on packages or regional specifications).
- Rear‑seat entertainment: Touring commonly includes a rear‑seat DVD entertainment system; EX-L does not include this feature by default.
- Power tailgate: Touring often includes a power liftgate for easier loading; EX-L generally relies on a traditional (manual or non‑powered) tailgate unless a package adds it.
- Wheels and exterior styling: Touring typically rides on 18‑inch alloy wheels with additional exterior trim or styling cues; EX-L usually uses smaller 17‑inch alloys and different trim accents.
- Interior and convenience upgrades: Touring tends to incorporate additional premium touches and convenience features beyond the EX-L, such as enhanced climate control or trim details, depending on the market and package contents.
Note: Availability of navigation, rear entertainment, tailgate power, wheel size, and other features varied by month of production, region, and whether the vehicle was equipped with optional packages. Prospective buyers should verify the exact build sheet for any specific vehicle.
What EX-L offers that Touring may not emphasize
The EX-L trim is focused on comfort and luxury finishes, such as leather seating and heated front seats, along with sunroof and an upgraded audio setup in many configurations. While Touring adds high‑tech amenities, EX-L covers the premium interior experience and essential comfort features without guaranteeing the tech extras found on Touring.
In summary, the core performance of the 2009 Pilot remains the same across EX-L and Touring, but Touring adds navigation, rear entertainment, a power tailgate, and larger wheels, elevating its feature set and price. EX-L provides interior luxury and comfort with leather and heating, but without some of Touring’s technology and convenience extras.
Bottom line
For buyers who want integrated navigation, rear-seat entertainment, and the convenience of a power tailgate, the Touring is the richer option. If leather seating and comfort features are the priority and you don’t need the Touring‑exclusive tech, the EX-L offers strong luxury appeal at a possibly lower price.
Summary: The key distinction between the 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L and Touring centers on technology and convenience features rather than core engineering. Touring adds navigation, rear entertainment, and a power tailgate (along with styling/dealer-packaged upgrades), while EX-L emphasizes leather and comfort focused features.