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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  Excellent Choice - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Great Vehicle by RS - July 12 - 11:37 pm

  Before purchasing the Pilot, I leased the RX300. The Pilot rides almost as nice as the Lexus. The Pilot is great in the snow and very comfortable on long trips. The NAV works great and is easy to use. The only item that required replacement was a burned out headlight bulb after 50000 miles. I would definetely purchase this vehicle again.

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  Still Exceeding Expectations - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Retrova - July 11 - 3:43 pm

  We bought the Pilot to buffer our 1 year old in 5 star crash rated construction and to haul his gear around. This vehicle is everything its supposed to be - van like capacity that is unparalleled in its class and the look of an SUV on the outside. Drives wonderfully, all the confidence of the size and height visibility and yet flexible maneuvering of a car. The deal was, my wife would get to drive to work and I would drive on weekends. So far, I have to pry the keys out of her hands on the weekends!

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  Glad to be rid of this problem - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By carol Carter - June 30 - 6:27 pm

  Have had transmission trouble almost from the day I bought vehicle. Transmission has trouble shifting gears. Traded vehicle in less than one year, lost money but at least I am through with that vehicle. I will never buy another Honda.

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  New EX-L Owner - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Jim U - June 30 - 9:33 am

  Just got my new EX-L on 3/15. I love it. I had some accessories added, like wood trim, towing package etc. It looks and feels like an Acura, for a lot less. I like it better than our Highlander. It could be quieter inside, but all in all a very good buy.

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  Good purchase - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By David - June 29 - 7:36 pm

  All around good vehicle, 4WD works great in snow, gas mileage is about 20. Has area between front seats that collect trash and its almost impossible to clear. The good news is that you cant see this trash unless you know exactly where to look. Would be my first pick if I were looking for a small SUV.

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  THEY CHANGED IT TO A STATION WAGON - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Puttyman - June 29 - 5:49 pm

  I have owned several Honda Pilots. I lease them for 3 years and at the end of the lease I get another one. NP. 2 days ago I went to my dealer thinking I would leave with another Pilot. Let me state here that I work in the construction trades so I have to be on construction sites every day AND I have to carry specialized testing equipment. This new Pilot is an abomination! They have changed it into a station wagon. If you are a Soccer Mom maybe its a better design but as a true "UTILITY VEHICLE" its a joke.

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  The Pilot does it all! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Anitajd - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We needed a bigger SUV for our family, because the Jeep Gr. Cherokee didnt have a 3rd row of seats. When the Pilot came out, we jumped at the chance to get one, especially w/ Hondas reliability. It handles AWESOME in 2 feet of snow. You actually CAN go off-roading in this SUV. And we were able to fit 8 in the Pilot this summer (4 adults and 4 baby seats). The Pilot has passed every test my husband has given it. Hes very happy!

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  Pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By skovs - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Pilot is a fun suv, excellent ride and can you see, no blind spots go and test drive it.

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  Made the right decision - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Mike - June 25 - 8:16 am

  We considered the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Subaru Outback, the later being considered largely because of its mileage. I think we would have been happy with any of the three but we LOVE the Pilot. I read all the reviews on here and elsewhere panning the touch screen entertainment system and complaining about the 9 speed transmission and while I think I understand the reasons I dont agree. We have found the touchscreen to be responsive and easy to use, after you get used to it. Its not extremely intuitive but unless youre just renting the car for a day or two, read the manual. Once you become familiar with it, its responsive and easy to use. It does have a glossy screen and fingerprints can readily be seen which is a little annoying to my wife. I would say we chose the Pilot over the Highlander for 3 reasons; the AWD system is superior, theres more space in the 3rd row seats and it gets better gas mileage. Mileage was part of the reason we only considered the 9 speed but I really stressed over going with that transmission given all the negative comments. I will say this, it does hunt for gears but it seems that should be expected, I mean it has 9 speeds, all of which are probably passed through before you get to 60 mph. I dont mean its particularly noticeable accelerating to highway speed, quite the contrary, its smooth as silk accelerating. When its somewhat noticeable is when it is shifting down at lower speeds, more so going down hill. I dont consider it to be a big issue and Im satisfied with our choice of the 9 speed. As for my hoped for mileage advantage, so far we are satisfied there. We recently went through the better part of a tank of gas on two trips, mostly highway miles. Over 369.3 miles we averaged 27.02 mpg and no, Im not relying on the trip computer, said computer claimed 25.5 mpg. Honestly I expected something more like 24 mpg. As for the two trips measured; the first was 120 miles from an altitude of 3,500 ft to around 1,200 ft (trip computer listed 29.5 mpg for that leg) and the second was a round trip for the remainder of the miles. While our average speed for most of the trips was in the 70-75 mph range a good 10 miles was in stop and go traffic (one hour). We kept the vehicle in ECON mode for most of these miles and I do think that makes a significant difference. I dont expect this kind of mileage on all our trips but I do think the 26 mpg hwy rating is fair. Ill let you know what I find in city and combined driving sometime later. Things Im not crazy about are the Collision Mitigation system which as others have said is a little touchy, especially if you are a somewhat aggressive driver. For my wife its probably perfect but for me its too sensitive, especially if Im in heavy traffic. On the other hand it does have an on/off switch. Same with the lane keep assist system which at times misreads heavy tar lines as road paint (not frequently but sometimes). Also, if you forget you have the system on and go to switch lanes without signaling the system will fight you a little.....as I said, it has an on/off switch too. Overall I like both systems but they can be improved. Finally, the auto-engine-stop system works fine but if youre somewhat aggressive pulling into traffic from a stop you need turn it off or be aware its on because there is a slight lag if youre quick off the brake to the gas. This system had an on/off switch but unlike the other systems mentioned it must be turned off each time you start the car. Again, this will never be a problem for a cautious driver and its not very intrusive when its working but for me, I have to be very aware. All in all, this is a VERY fine piece of machinery that has really impressed us. So far, my wife and I are extremely happy with our choice. We love the car and would recommend it to anyone considering a suv/cross-over AWD.

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  Love the Pilot 2016 - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Sanjay - June 23 - 6:50 pm

  It is everything we were looking for in a 8-seater SUV. Drives great, very roomy and plush interiors.