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:

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  Fun to drive - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By piloteer123 - May 13 - 1:24 pm

  Its strange to hear so many bad consumer reviews at Edmunds. [non-permissible content removed] I have owned the first genration of Pilot and since upgraded to 2012 Pilot. The drive is much improved and build quality is excellent. I hear no such rattling, and noices. Its impressive to get 23 MPG on mostly high driving. The interior is impressive and great comfort at its price point. The most impressive feature is the new sound insulated cabin (added foam insulation all around) and the doors are completely seal for sound. With addition of active noice cancellation, you can carry a normal conversion at highway speeds.

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  55mph Humming - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By baron1797 - May 9 - 4:16 pm

  Well... where do I start. I have had a lot of issues with my 2012 Pilot... starting with the replacing the brakes, roters, tires by 12k. Yeah you heard me correct. I had to replace them because later found out at 18k that the front barrings were shot. Now at 26k... I have a LOUD humming noise which absolutely drives me bonkers. I hate driving my car... I changed my music from Coldplay to loud punk so I do not have to listen to that humming noise. This is my 4th Honda... this one has been my problem child.

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  Great Family Car--Great Value - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By carlosarturo1 - May 6 - 6:36 pm

  After owning this great SUV for the last 3 years I just traded it in because we are downsizing. I actually made some equity in tis car which is unheard of with other cars!! Awesome car for a large family, but the mileage per gallon is very low and this SUV gets very thirsty very quickly. Gets very slippery during the rain--even with new tires.

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  Poor Reliability - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By jon_z - April 23 - 9:49 am

  Just purchased my wifes Pilot about 5 months ago. Ride, handling and comfort are pretty good, but Honda reliability is not there. The radiator recently "failed" causing the coolant to be circulated into the transmission. Radiator/thermostat need to be replaced. The engine and transmission need to be flushed as well. So far this has cost us $1500. Im just waiting for the transmission to fail requiring a $3-4K replacement all because of a defective radiator! Would NOT buy this vehicle again. Honda also will not admit theres a problem with their radiators on these Pilots. This barge replaced a 1998 Odyssey which was a far better car.

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  Seems Like Hondas Getting Worse - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By aecko - April 16 - 1:46 pm

  Honda used to mean reliability. Now not as much, maybe that is a better reason to get an Acura. My 2012 Pilot EXL with 70 miles (yes first week) is having an ignition problem. When you turn the key to turn the car on, it cranks then struggles and sometimes dies sometimes starts. The second time I try it typically starts. Not sure that the resolution will be, will post an update if possible.

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  Great pleasant surprise - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By lapchole - April 9 - 7:32 pm

  I was in the market for an SUV. Always had high end european SUV, with the exception of a Lincoln Navigator years ago, that ended up being a great car. Now I have a 2005 V-8 VW Touareg. Great driving, powerful, small, rough ride and not too comfortable for long travel. Transmission started to make strange noises and very rough downshifting. Time to get rid of it after 7 years. Shopped around...everything very expensive and I was after a Mercedes Benz GL 450: $ 70,000 + Found the Pilot Touring. Has all the technology and comfort I need for half the price of a MB. Great car. Enjoy the ride.... I chose this car after renting a basic Pilot in Peru to travel through the Andes Mountains

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  Dont buy the pilot - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By hondasucks5 - March 29 - 6:36 pm

  I bought the 2012 Pilot because of its reputation for being both dependable and reliable. How wrong I was. The car has 500 miles on it and wont start correctly. Honda aware of problem and offer no solution. Customer service is horrible. Ive been told to keep turning the key until the engine starts. "Its safe to drive." No one from the company will put any of this in writing. Buyer beware !!

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  Dont Believe Everything You Read - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By djm21 - March 19 - 7:37 am

  Given the title, you may not want to believe this review either, but all I can say is that I have no motivation to make this up. The biggest gripe about our now 1 month old 2012 pilot is the horrible ride due to this crazy ECO / VCM (Variable Cylinder Mgmnt) thing they have designed in it to save gas. You can research more on the internet yourself, but the shuddering that happens when cruzing is very annoying. Constant acceleration is smooth, but cruzing, is shudder city. Feels like driving 25mph in 6th speed. I cant believe Edmunds wrote "Pros: Impressive fuel economy pleasant ride..." in their review. Are you kidding me? and I havent seen more than 21mpg yet either .

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  2nd one and love it even more. - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By thomasj106 - March 14 - 7:47 am

  The Pilot is spacious and is loaded with features. The Nav system interface has improved dramatically. The new phone integration into the system is so much better than the 2010 model. Fuel economy is better in my new 4WD version that it was in my 2010 FWD. Amazing. Drawbacks to me include: 1) Acceleration/HP could be a little better, although acceleration has improved over the 2010. 2) The braking feels worse. In bumper to bumper I was nervous about stopping. 3) The Navs turn-by-turn has added a glitch. Exit warnings come up too early. I got off an exit twice because the system showed me getting off two exits ahead. 4) Voice recognition seems problematic now, but wasnt before.

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  Great Car - Great Dealer - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By paul_sb - March 5 - 10:41 am

  SUV is awesome, i got this for my wife but i am always stealing it on her. Back-up cam and NAV are great. Moon roof is great especially in summer. I drove some big executives that normally drive Mercedes and Lexus, to a golf tournament this summer and they were blown away by the Pilot. I got this SUV through DCH Honda in Paramus, great group of people over there. They offered me the most competitive price around, without any haggling. The process was quick, painless and everyone was very pleasant. If you like Hondas and want to make sure you are taken care of fairly and by a car dealer you can trust, do yourself a favor and go straight to DCH Paramus.