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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  Good value, but you get what you pay for - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By TXgrosz - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought an Lx(base) couple of months ago, and in one word its nice. Decent performance,good handling for a midsice SUV and generally its been a comfortable,stable and reliable vehicle. With the base Lx model, however, its short on features. No keyless entry, no window tint,etc. Something you expect when you pay $30K. You get what you pay for, I guess.

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  Im An Idiot for Buying this car - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By al bark - March 31 - 3:16 am

  Bought new with 180 miles on it. Dealer claimed it came from another dealer to trade for a car someone wanted. It has loud noise when hitting bumps in right rear and its aggravating. Thinking of selling.

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  Almost 160K miles and still going - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Dee - March 28 - 12:24 am

  *Jan 2018 Update: still going strong...nearly 160K miles and still love this SUV. Minor issues such as a few burned out interior button lights. My 15yo daughter starts driving this summer and wants this one but not sure I want to give it up! Bought my SE Pilot in December 2007 with 4 miles on the odometer...and have about 145K miles now. Yes Im on my 4th set of tires in that time...but its a heavy truck and I also like having some chunkier tires for the snow and ice in Maryland so those dont have great longetivity. My husband complains about the body roll but I drive this SUV daily and love it. Weve done long trips and been comfortable overall, and I can certainly pack plenty of stuff in it, including the dog, when necessary. Weve had lots of preventative and routine maintenance done on it to keep it going. A few minor electrical issues, including one time when the rear A/C stopped working, but my husband looked it up and bought a $300 part from the deal to fix it himself. Some of the interior panel lights are out now, so at night I cant see all of the buttons (such as for the A/C or vent controls) but I havent bothered replacing those, and my front map lights stopped coming on when the doors opened. I know what it will take to replace that...but not sure I want the challenge of it quite yet. Also the very back bass speaker has always been just horrible, but when I read what it would take to replace that...again not sure its that big of a deal to me. We replaced the brakes a few years ago with some high quality after market ones that have been better than the original brakes. Overall I love driving this truck, its done great for me in snow and rain, and Im in no hurry to part with it as long as it keeps driving as well as it does. It has some great acceleration when needed. Ive started seeing a check engine light recently, on and off intermittently had the code read at a local auto store for free and it sounds like possibly the catalytic convertor isnt operating as efficiently as it should but since this only happens about once a month (maybe) and doesnt constantly happen Im just planning on dealing with it for now.

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  Watch Out -- Lemons are out there - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Hawk - March 27 - 4:52 am

  Purchased my 2016 Pilot LX in late July -- what a mistake ; after 300 miles heard a popping noise in chassis / suspension when backing out and steering to move forward - very pronounced; brought in for service and the service rep said it was a bushing; well it re-occurred -- now 1500 miles and it is in the shop again -- guess what -- was told that Honda is aware of the problem BUT while no TSB is out , Honda mechanics tried another fix with the drivers side wheel assembly and frame ... will see how this holds up in a month. Otherwise, the LX remains a very good vehicle ... just that after owning my share of American cars in the 60s and 70s where it was the norm to visit the dealership within a week oe two for defective issues, I have gotten "spoiled" in owning good foreign cars where a visit to the shop is only for scheduled maintenance. Update 12/15/2016- the popping noise has returned -- so much for Honda Quality unless totally built in Japan.

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  Buy this car - now! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Greg Gagne - March 26 - 8:03 pm

  Just picked up 16 Touring. This thing is sick. I cant believe the negatives reviews on the tranny! Are you people nuts? Stop overthinking and just drive the damn car. The 9-speed is sweet. The touch screen is sweet. Who cares about fingerprints. The touch is seamless and responds beautifullly. No hard knob to control volume? Anyone who cares about that is too old to appreciate modern tech. Thats akin to complaining about not having a CD player. The Garmin looks nice but I just use Waze via Bluetooth. No I dont get the graphic but the turn prompts suffice and if they dont I can just look down to see whats up. Waze is just so much better than any Nav. Search capabilities are remarkable and who doesnt want to know about 5-0 up ahead? Bluetooth integration is perfect. Streaming The Dead through Pandora never sounded so good. Leather is very nice and I simply love this car. Technology is slick, although my prior car was a 2005 Acura RL, so Ive had proximity sensors for key fob for quite some time. People, dont buy a Highlander...dont buy a Grand Idiot Cherokee (way more off-road capability than most of the chumps buying it would ever even begin to know how to use)...dont buy a Yukon (unless you bought a boat you cant afford); buy a Pilot (2016 that is- the prior ones sucked). If youre intelligent and want a sick family SUV to make memories in, buy this car now! You can thank me later.

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  Front end pulls to the right - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Pulls to the right - March 25 - 8:23 am

  The vehicle constantly pulls to the right. I have brought it back to the dealer 7 times, they gave it (brand new vehicle) 7 wheel alignments. The service representative from Honda will not admit that it pulls to the right. This is a extremely dangerous situation, I am constantly holding the wheel to the left. I am very disappointed with Hondas service. I have read about the same complaints on several web-sites. By the way the 2009 Honda Pilot drives straight.

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  Great except transmission and load engine noise - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Seth - March 15 - 9:38 am

  This is our 3rd Honda Pilot Touring. We jumped on this as soon as they came out. Big mistake! The car is nice except the loud engine noise while idling and the 9 speed transmission. I have taken this in twice to see if it is a problem but its how its supposed to be. Slow speed shifting is horrible, very jumpy and your neck goes back and forth trying to accelerate. Its so bad I actually have the car up for sale after 2 months of owning it. This will be the last Honda I will own for a very long time. My suggestion is if you like the car get the 6 speed automatic and skip the 9 speed.

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  WOW - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By JJLCG - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Shopped around for months and settled on the Pilot based on reviews/word of mouth. Simply put, I could not ask for more in a family SUV. Not only do you feel extremely safe, but the ride is a dream for such a rugged vehicle. Handling is fantastic and the ride is smooth and quiet. DVD is a must for the kids and the heated seats are a nice touch for 2004.

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  05 Pilot EXL - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By router1998 - March 14 - 3:11 pm

  Pilot EXL fit my requirement as AWD SUV. The space is good and fold down seat is convenient. There is no crossbar by default is a surprise. I have to buy crossbar in addition to ski rack. The gas mileage is also so- so. Well, it is really enjoy to drive it on snow.

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  Pilot Elite Takes Taps Safety Technology - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Steve - March 12 - 5:05 am

  I have owned many, many vehicles, and hands down the 2016 Honda Pilot Elite is a joy to drive. It takes some practice and getting used to. Its superior navigation and entertainment systems, technology, handling, convenience features, and responsiveness all combine to make this vehicle one of the safest vehicles on the road and the Pilot Elite - all around - is the best vehicle I have ever owned.