Overview & Reviews

Since its launch for the 2003 model year, the Honda Pilot has helped shape the market for crossover SUVs with three rows of seating. Offering V6 power, respectable fuel economy, a comfortable ride, plenty of interior space and seven-to-eight-passenger seating, the Pilot is exactly the kind of vehicle that appeals to growing families who are leery of traditional minivans. Other crossover SUVs might be sportier to drive or more stylish on the inside, but Honda's three-row crossover appeals to your practical side and packs in a lot of functionality.

Choosing a Pilot is straightforward, as Honda packages equipment in a few basic trim levels rather than offering countless options. Regardless of the year, all Honda Pilots give you three useful rows of seating and lots of storage slots, though early models are smaller and aren't quite as accommodating for teenagers in the third row. Cargo capacity has also increased over the years.

User Reviews:

• 

  Great Value. Legendary Honda Reliability - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By RiskPro - September 29 - 9:28 pm

  This is a fantastic SUV for the average middle class family that wants virtually no service issues or maintenance requirements. Not to mention the 4wd which is good for those times us citi-dwellers need some help in the mud or snow and the 2nd and 3rd row seats fold away.

• 

  This SUV might kill you. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By JeromyW - September 26 - 6:33 pm

  I hope it doesnt. In fact I hope you read this, avoid buying the 2016 (or 17) Honda Pilot, and avoid the same mistake our family made. When my wife and I test drove the 2016 Honda Pilot we were not terribly impressed with its acceleration but that was not why we were looking at a new Honda. We were looking for something reliable and Honda has had a great track record in that regard. So, even though we were not over the moon about the Pilot when we test drove it, we thought this is going to last 10+ years and is, therefore, a wise purchase. Boy, were we wrong! One problem with the Honda Pilot is the 9 speed transmission. My 1972 Chevelle shifts smoother than this. When you drop this Honda in drive first thing in the morning, the first-second gear shift will try to separate a few vertebrae... it is brutal. Once warmed up, this transmission is better, but still not so good. Especially in stop and go traffic where you will experience many times where the transmission seems completely out of touch with the throttle, leading to "rev rev rev... wham!". You *will* need a chiropractor if you have to drive in stop and go traffic with this machine. Also, this transmission has a history of early failure already. However, that transmission wont be the thing that kills you. The Honda Sensing system will. Lets say that you are on a highway going 70 mph when someone going 20 mph slower than you pulls out 3 car lengths in front of you. In that situation our Honda Pilot will SLAM on the brakes HARD causing anyone behind us to weave desperately into the adjoining lane or shoulder to keep from hitting us in the rear. Or lets say that you are going around a bend on a country road, the Honda Sensing system gets confused and again SLAMS on the breaks in the middle of hard bend. Lets say you survive the Honda Sensing system... will you be able to survive the throttle? Lets say you are in stopped trying to turn left across rapidly moving traffic. You need your car to move when you step on the gas. The Honda Pilot will occasionally toss in a 5-7 second delay in response time, just to add to the challenge. Did I mention the $200 oil changes? This is because, in our case, about the time we needed to change the oil, the "B16" code would be thrown on the info system, indicating that the rear diff also needed to be changed. This prompted the service manager at our local Honda shop to exclaim, "what is wrong with these new Pilots?!"

• 

  The Ultimate *Suburban* Utility Vehicle - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By sanesmith - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Owned for about 1 week now - 500 miles. Paid MSRP plus no choice options I negotiated to my satisfaction, bringing cost to 35K w/o tax. Kids love it - the DVD player is fabulous and well thought out w/ dual zone audio and wireless headphones. The seat/storage configuration flexiblity and ease of use make this a monster of a family SUV. For moving humans, groceries, and all stuff of life, this is the best Suburban Utility Vehicle now available IMHO.

• 

  Great Ride; Unfriendly Electonics User Interface - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Kenneth Smith - September 25 - 1:52 am

  I really like the new design and ride of the vehicle, but I have to say, the center electronics stack has a very "user unfriendly" interface. I have owned many vehicles over the past 15 years (Infinity, Acura, BMW to name a few) and all have far superior electronics packages. I am very disappointed in how unresponsive the the touch screen is and how inaccurate the nav system can be. Many well established main stream restaurants do not show up in the database. The voice activation interface is almost useless. You must go through layers of screens to make a call or to utilize the nav system. I have returned to the dealership on two different occasions to have a total of four sales reps agree with me that the electronics interface leaves a lot to be desired. It is impossible to control the rear entertainment system from the touch screen in terms of starting a DVD for a child. I have read several reviews and blogs critical of the design and ergonomics of the electronics user interface. Not sure why Honda would install such a rudimentary system in a $50,000 Pilot Elite???

• 

  happy honda buyer - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By jta - September 23 - 8:44 pm

  is dont come with option for hybrid

• 

  First midsize SUV - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Linda - September 22 - 7:34 pm

  I bought a new 07 CRV 11 days ago but took it back and got an 08 Pilot. I have never had a SUV before but it rides nice and is very comfortable. Gas mileage doesnt look very good but for a 2-ton vehicle I guess it will be OK.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By cartalk35 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Purchased EX-L with DVD with no hassles from dealer. Currently have 1700 miles. The car drives great and is very comfortable. I previously owned a 96 Grand Cherokee for three years. The Jeep was in the shop every month for repairs. Although we enjoyed having sitting up higher while driving, but did not enjoy the Grand Cherokees ride. The Honda is so superior to the Grand Cherokee in every way. We looked at about every large and midsized SUV over 12 months before we selected the Pilot. I highly recommend this car even if you must wait a month or two.

• 

  First SUV - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By crogers96 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I have been a Camry/Accord driver for 12 years.I have always liked the view from an SUV but not the drive.I started checking out the Highlander about a year ago and liked it but all were $35K! My son starting telling me about the Pilot last winter before it was on the market.As soon as I drove it I knew this was the SUV for me!It drives great and gives me the features I want without feeling like Im driving a truck-which I think women are looking for.I know the fuel economy I had with Camry/Accords is gone,but its worth the tradeoff!Im counting on Honda reliability and longevity as I hate car shopping!

• 

  Stop Reading and Go Get One - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Catman2050 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  By the time I concluded my test drive, I was sold. The Pilot is nothing special to look at from the outside (it looks like a bigger CRV). However, you shouldnt make *relationship* decisions based on utside features alone...instead, its the inside that matters. The inside of the Pilot is awesome. When I say inside, I mean the engine, the drive, the interior styling, etc. You want a SUV that drives like a car and can flat out move...you owe it to yourself to try a Pilot. I have now taken a few trips in the Pilot and I remain 100% satisfied in my decision to buy the Pilot over other SUVs.

• 

  This car is DANGEROUS! Worst software ever! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By NoLongerAFan - September 18 - 7:16 am

  1) Left my wife stranded -- Put the car in reverse, foot on brake, not moving, then pressed the stop button. Car locked her out and wouldnt start. Had to mess with locks and start button for 30 minutes before the car reset itself. 2) Transmission is UNSAFE! -- 9 speed cant find the right gear, car stutters, will LAUNCH you downhill. Low speed driving is terrible, cant maintain a constant speed. Seems like really bad software making gear decisions. 3) Lane assist is DANGEROUS! -- Cant help you at all, will not hold the lane. Hey Honda, either you steer or I steer, but whoever is steering better be really good at it. Steering is NOT a cooperative activity! Dont "assist" me with steering unless it can be trusted. 4) So many little software problems. Remembers the seat position incorrectly. 5) Worst entertainment center ever. Seems designed in 1998. Cant use the nav while moving, seriously? I can mess with the radio all day, using the most confusing and distracting software ever devised, but I cant use the nav? 6) The car Dings at uss constantly and randomly. Its trying to tell us something, I have no idea what it is saying. DING .. wait a few minutes -- DING! Who wrote the software for this car, my kids could have done a better job!