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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  Disappointment! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By mansell2004 - January 5 - 2:48 pm

  When my husband died I decided to trade our Honda accord in for a fourwheel drive Honda Pilot. We had been so pleased with our other cars that I felt sure that the Pilot would probably be my last car, We had put so many trouble free miles on the earlier cars, and I had all the confidence in the world in Honda. This no longer holds true. I was totally amazed when I had to spend over $3000.00 to replace the transmission with a little over 80,000 miles on my car.The Honda dealer wanted over $4,000.00. Then I find this was a well know problem when I purchased it. I will never recommend Honda to anyone again!!

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  Things to watch out for on a 2012 4WD EX-L - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By flyguy405 - December 22 - 4:33 pm

  I have had the vehicle for about 3 months and have repeatedly tried to resolve a vibration/buzz in the vehicle. There was a vibration at 65-80mph in the steering and frame. There is a buzz when driving at any speed above 55mph. For the vibration I had to take it in 4 times and they were finally able to get rid of most of it. Replaced tires, and doing a RoadForce balance. There is still some vibration at 80mph. The buzz will always be there. Honda USA representative (customer service) said that "is characteristic for this vehicle". Take away from this, if you have your heart set on a Pilot, take it for an extended drive and make sure that you can live with these symptoms. Good Luck

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  From 2011 Pilot to VW back to 2012 Pilot - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By pa350z2006 - December 16 - 1:25 pm

  I have only had my 2012 Pilot EX-L 4WD for 1,000 miles but felt compelled to write a review since I had owned a 2011. I left the 2011 because the car was just too loud with road noise as I found myself turning up the radio to drown out the noise. I went to a VW and have to say that car was a very nicely built car, but the ride was just punishing, it had more of a sport suspension. I came back to the Pilot and it feels good to be in a smooth riding car. They really did address the issues for 2012, at least some of them. The noise level is down quite a bit from the 2011 model and they fixed the messy center stack of controls.

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  2006 honda pilot LX 4WD - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By joeking79 - December 11 - 6:00 pm

  I purchase my suv brand new...After putting 76k miles the car still drives really good. Just the regular maintenance and havent have any problems. I notice a few a bad reviews about the SUV. Would it be possible that previous owner did a bad job on maintenance. I always follow the maintenance minder which saves me a lot of money. Sometimes dealership want you offer all this extra maintenance which does not require you to do it. I used to drive a X5 but the maintenance and gas killed me. I have no kids but i always enjoy driving SUV. A friend of mine drives a 2006 LEXUS GX470. I still like the ride on my awesome PILOT.

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  Hands down the worst car Ive ever driven in the snow - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By mattpotvin - December 8 - 3:01 pm

  The Pilot was great to me. Super reliable, and I only ever had one problem outside of routine maintenance, a rear HVAC blower motor went out, which was replaced under Honda Care for no charge. I selected the FWD model after getting a CPO mouse infested 4WD model from a dealer. They upgraded me to Leather and Rear Entertainment. We average under 40" of snow here, so I didnt think anything of the lack of 4WD. Until the first day I had to drive in snow. Even with Michelin Xice 2 snow tires, I couldnt make it over small bridges, crossing a single lane train track. Cars with all seasons drove right past me. Id slide backward down the hill. Bit better w/ traction control turned off.

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  Happy So Far - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By photo49 - December 7 - 3:16 pm

  After driving a small Audi for 3 years I decided to go back to an SUV. I wanted three row seating, 4 wheel drive, good handling, and decent gas mileage. I had ruled out the 2011 Pilot because I had read so many complaints about road noise, which I hate. However, when I read that this issue had been addressed in the 2012 model, it moved it back to the top of my list. Ive had it for 6 weeks and have driven 4,000 miles. Its pretty quiet (for an SUV), it handles well both on and off paved roads, its comfortable, storage is great, and it gets about 21 mpg in mostly highway driving. Acceleration is a little pokey and braking distances a bit long, but overall Im really happy with my Pilot.

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  Little things bug me - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By dukmadgin - November 12 - 3:41 pm

  We got this a few years old for the safety factor. The mileage is not great, but it is a big heavy (hopefully safe) vehicle. The cloth seats are TERRIBLE!! They stain with just water on them and NOTHING cleans them. The idle has a vibration sound that just about hurts my head at stop signs, and if you open a rear window on the freeway, it WILL hurt your ears. It is just okay in my book

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  Nice SUV - smooth drive - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By ma75 - November 9 - 10:02 pm

  First ever SUV, Best SUV in this price range

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  Back on top - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By a1addict - November 9 - 1:43 pm

  For 2012 Honda addressed many of my issues with the previous iteration. Front end looks way better, the interior looks and feels better, and the mileage has been improved. We were close to getting an Explorer XLT but then I gave the 12 Pilot a run. While they both have strengths and weaknesses, the Pilot just hits more marks, misses less and for the most part just feels more upscale. Its not fast, its not fun (what is in this class/price), but its very capable, spacious and look for it to be very reliable and trade-in-able where the Ford worried me. The HR would have been to give it 30 more hp and lb-ft and the six speed but Id say Honda has a stand up double with this refresh.

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  Lack of Power - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By flyguy405 - November 7 - 9:17 am

  Just bought a 2012 last month and have put 3500 miles on it. Biggest gripe is the lack of power from a standing start. Either the gearing in first was changed to somehow get better mileage or the computer is not set up correctly. Power kicks in at about 3500rpm. Actually makes it real difficult to pull into traffic. Dang thing crawls along until you get to that rpm. Just took it on a 2000 mile road trip and averaged 21 MPG. Not bad for 80-85 speeds. (AZ/NM/CO) with hills. Rest of the stuff on it works well. Wish there was a lumbar support on the pax seat and a fulltime power plug.