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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  Jerrys Redrox Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Redrox - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a "00 Town&Country LTD AWD and have never looked back. Although the T&C had more people room it lacked the power to pull my 19 boat. This Pilot is roomy , powerful and very comfortable. The build quality is excellent and a joy to own. GM, Chrysler and Ford can stick their 0% incentives where the sun dont shine. The right choice is a quality vehicle that will have some trade in value when its time to replace it.

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  Great Car - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Ukemi - August 12 - 3:40 am

  Easily the best SUV I have driven. It is quiet, comfortable, and reliable. 2006 improvements really added to the luxury feel of the cabin and I enjoyed driving this car much more than many "higher end" SUVs on the market. Remarkably, with the 2WDs VCM system, I get extremely good gas mileage approaching 18-19 mpg. For an SUV thats incredible.

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  more than numbers - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By qbrozen - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Its too bad the Edmunds ratings scale doesnt ask how Id rate the value of the vehicle because it would certainly be a 10. Asking if a "utility" vehicle is fun to drive is just plain silly, so Im forced to give it a 7, which drags down the average score. So one just needs to look past the numbers to see how this vehicle stacks up against the competition. If you want 3 rows of seats, AWD, power to spare, and 20 mpg, all for less than $30K, theres nothing better than this one.

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  Elite Model was a Lemon for us - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Stephanie - August 9 - 2:40 pm

  We purchased a 2016 Pilot Elite and loved it at first! Then the maintanance lights started popping up (Emissions system problem) at around 20,000 miles. Catalytic converter was replaced. Lights came back on like a Christmas tree shortly after. Fuel injectors were replaced. Lights back again and this time they said we had bad fuel. We had a lot of delayed acceleration problems. The air conditioner started going out. The dealer always helped us, but they couldnt make the vehicle more reliable. We ended up with 30,000 miles on this vehicle before we sold it and took the loss. Please research this trim model.

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  A nice ride - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By chaim - August 9 - 10:00 am

  This SUV rides more like a car than a truck. Quite a nice vehicle over all.

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  ShHY Pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By shyquestor - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Went to the Pilot over the Toyo Highlander after 2 Subie Forestors. Pilot is a major size upgrade from the Subie, which we loved, but outgrew. Goodyear OEM tires suck and will be replaced soon, after 28k miles, in preparation for winter 2004-05. Great ride on local and highway roads, but hate the tires after about 15K miles...they feel soft and squeal when they should not, noisy on concrete and quit on asphalt, although pressure is checked and maintained. Tough to clean floor at sides of front seats..narrow area prevents insertion of standard vac tools. Paint is good and cleans well. Love the delayed smart wipers that slow down when at stop and speed

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  2010 Pilot - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Curtis - August 1 - 1:03 am

  Got a new Pilot for my wife to replace her 02 VW Passat. We needed the room for a 9-mo and 7-yr old. Only had it for a few days. We did just return from a beach trip (5hr one way). It did really well. The RES is great - 7 yr old loves the wireless headphones. Plenty of room - much more than in my 07 Explorer. The NAV is nice - lots of buttons and options - just not enough time yet to figure out all the voice commands. The bluetooth link is nice - Linked my blackberry and her i-phone in minutes - also easy to import the phonebooks. The USB connections is really nice too - can control ipod from steering wheel. Did add running boards and cross bars. Hitch is great - used a hitch hauler on trip.

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  This is a cool vehicle - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Minnie - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I got my pilot 2 months ago, and still think its the most sound, best investment I ever made in a car. I got the Havasu blue which is BEAUTIFUL, (the internet pics do it no justice, its more silver). It cuts through the NJ snowstorms like butter, even my husband was impressed. Icy roads and bad weather are not a problem, as this vehicle is extremely sure and stable. IT IS SO ROOMY!!!!!

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  Wifes vehicle and she loves it - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By RogW - July 31 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this to replace our BMW 528 and have never looked back (we still have our other BMW). My wife loves sitting up and the features. We recently took a 700 plus mile trip, and averaged 22 miles per gallon driving 75 mph. The only "ODD" thing it took getting used to is the arc of the transmission lever, but that soon passed as we got used to the vehicle. We even had a friend say it looked like a Mercedes on the inside. Some have said that the exterior is somewhat bland, but we like it. I am thinking of adding the factory fog lights to the front end.

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  Why PILOT - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Douglas N - July 31 - 2:00 am

  An SUV V6 size surprising roomy, smart design between the driver/passenger seats. The engine is exceptionally smooth and quiet. Stereo quality that one can only expect in a more expensive vehicle. Starts as 4 wheels, changes to 2 wheels when cruising, auto-switchs back to 4 wheels in sleepery surface. The Pilot is heavier--> stable than, let say the Highlander, and a bigger engine, but uses only 1 mile more per gallon. The rear does not shake when cruising like the Highlander. Share most with the ACURA MDX, with minor differences, with .4 higher, more head room... for 10K less than the MDX.