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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  Seven years and counting! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By shaymilr - October 28 - 5:10 pm

  I highly recommend this vehicle! I bought the Pilot new and have driven it now for a little over 7 years and 90k miles. Every time I get behind the wheel I catch myself thinking, "I love this car." The vehicle has been so reliable and trouble-free. I also cant get over the comfort of the seats and the great visibility while driving. My college daughter needs a car now and on one hand I think I should pass the Pilot along to her but on the other hand, how can I let it go when I love it so much?!

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  Nice SUV/Cross over combination - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By ma75 - October 27 - 3:41 pm

  Fun to drive Very good fuel MPG as compared to Previous models

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  Pros outweigh cons - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By shadyoak - October 20 - 9:35 pm

  Pilot sometimes hesitates at highway speeds due to complexity of interaction between cylinder changes, transmission and torque converter. Pilot had been on lot for six months with 200 miles of test drives. Body had several minor dings which dealer fixed. Interior had several minor dings on hard plastic which could not be fixed. Tailgate is slightly off center. I purchased the Pilot with a $5000 discount and 1.9% financing.

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  Awesome SUV - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By rsgnice - October 6 - 11:20 am

  We have owned our 2011 Pilot for over a month now. This is our third family hauler – and the best yet. Shopped around for over six months and finally settled with the Pilot. It has everything we had hoped to have in our family hauler. It has good exterior looks and finish – love the boxy/angled shape. Engine has a lot of power and provides a smooth ride. Interior is roomy, comfortable and quite. Seats are firm with excellent back support. Music system is awesome. We had 6 adults and 2 kids on a day trip and the SUV hauled without a fuss. The only quirk - features offered in EXL are very few for the money. They seem to have rectified it for the 2012 model. All in all, I love the SUV!!!

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  Upholstery the WORST ever - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By erin16 - September 25 - 9:46 pm

  We have the 2008 Honda Pilot with fabric seats. This upholstery is hideous. There is no way to keep it clean and/or stain free and EVERYTHING (even water) causes stains that are next to impossible to remove--even by a professional. We are so disappointed by Honda. We love the car, but each time we get in and have to sit on and look at this nasty upholstery, the loves lessens a bit.

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  Shame on Honda! Part 2 - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By ewells - September 20 - 6:17 pm

  Last November 2010 I bought the new 2011 Pilot. In the first weeks of owning the car I got a recall notice for the front wheel axle. It was fixed and now it squeaks loudly. I have owned Hondas for 20 years and I expect better. The dealership asked me to fill out a survey after I brought it in again for the squeak and they could not fix it. I filled out their online follow up survey and have not heard back. I am now very disappointed in my Honda Dealership in Louisiana. A good alternative to this car might be the Jeep Grand Cherokee…just had it as a car rental and the gas mileage was far, far better… as a long time Honda owner I am so disappointed this is my second time writing.

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  AMAZING SUV - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By footballmom3 - September 14 - 4:08 pm

  Purchased 4 months ago and I absolutely LOVE my 2011 Polit! This is the perfect family vehicle. It handles like a car. Very smooth ride, sharp turning capibility (no more 3 pt turns), and great acceleration. I feel completely safe transporting may family around. All of the seats are easy to operate, even my 5 y.o. can pull the levers. The middle row can slide forward to give the third row more leg room. We have comfortably fit 6 adults & 2 kids, also 7 teenagers & 1 mom. Last weekend I drove 5 HS sized football players to their game. All of their hemlets & pads fit in the trunk area! Id like to see the Highlander do that! I HIGHLY recommend this car to anyone!!!

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  Standout - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By sherm624 - September 12 - 2:07 pm

  Sold my 1999 Pathfinder and purchased the Pilot. Its larger in every dimension, has full time 4WD, has 70 more horsepower, is heavier, and still manages to get better gas mileage! Car has great unique style inside and out, decent power, good braking (Edmunds review is off the mark), and a usable 3rd row - boxy design allows for headroom. No middle hump and extra width provides for 3 across comfortably. Drove on vacation 250 miles to destination (highway) - got 26+ MPG. Tire pressure monitoring saved me twice. Second row windows roll all the way down, optional built in sunshades are great, flash drive for music, hands free cell phone interface works well (clear).

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  Disappointing Reliability (Annoying) - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By rav4guy4 - August 30 - 10:14 am

  I got it with 50k miles for $19k in 2009. It was in mint condition with all of the service records included. I thought, "Honda?, how could I go wrong?" Well, Ive learned since then that Honda SUVs arent all theyre cracked up to be. Within a year, the front headlights and parking lights inexplicably went out all at once. No warning light, no sign of a short circuit. I replaced all of them, and no issues since then. Next, the idiot light for the gas cap intermittently came on. The gas cap seems to be like new, but I guess its just temperamental? I dont know... Its a Honda, I shouldnt be dealing with these annoying issues. Next, the rear drivers side power window doesnt work

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  Very good family hauler - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By lscico - August 23 - 1:26 am

  Bought to replace Toyota sienna. Owned two of those over 8 years. Never again. Bought for my wife but I use when taking older kids to games, trips etc. For long trips its excellent. Great visibility, very comfortable. A bit of road noise. Good power. MPG is good, considering. Ive characterized it pretty good over several trips. From Boston to central NY got 23-26 mpg @ ~75mph depending on weather, traffic. If I drop speed to 65 mph I get 27-28. Driving around NE I keep it at 60 and Consistently get high 20s. Around city its more like 19, if Im careful and 17-18 if not. My wife pays no attention to mpg and she averages 19 mpg over 3000 miles long term mostly city, some highway