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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  Great Family Car - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By drlovesek - July 8 - 2:00 am

  It is better than the American SUVs on Fuel Economy and style. My last car was a Mini Van and this is the Mini Van of the 21st century.

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  It;s a Honda. - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Pilot fan. - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought this Honda several weeks ago after looking at all the options. The only other SUV I considered was an Acura MDX. Too early to tell how reliable this vehicle will be but I like the interior design and materials (my dad has an Accord with 300,000 miles). Ergonometrics are excellent. Ride is great and the engine allows me to cruise as fast as I like effortlessly. It is so practical that it could be construed as boring but everything works so smoothly.

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  Just The Facts - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Just The Facts - July 6 - 3:10 am

  Nice SUV, I love the Dark Cherry color. It has a great smooth ride and the engine is very quite. The gas mileage is okay at best. The 2009 Honda Pilot has more features than my 2005 XC90 Volvo SUV.

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  Nicest ride Ive ever owned...... - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Mike - July 5 - 5:54 am

  This is a great vehicle. I dont see what the fuss is about the radio not having "buttons", just use the steering wheel controls. I bought a close out 2017 EXL as Edmunds recommended. I passed on the sensing but went for the AWD. No need to Nav or RES. I was able to get 0.9% financing along with $1,500 below invoice using Costco pricing and haggling with 2 different dealers. I looked at the Highlander and Acadia. No contest. Highlander is way to small and the GMC/Chevy dont hold their value. Traded in our 2013 Toyota Sienna, which I thought was a pretty good vehcile, until I drove the Pilot. After the test drive, I was hooked and had to have one. Besides the ride and fit and finish, I really enjoy the apple car play and the how you can customize a lot of the settings in the radio. That said, I have 2 gripes. 1. no 3rd row floormat AND you cant buy one from Honda unless you buy all the floormats? So, I bought one from Lloyds mats ($34). It is just really odd that this isnt included in the EXL. 2. No 12V acc plug in the 2nd row. My 2005 has one, why not my 2017? So, I bought a 6ft plug to put in the front and stretch back to the second row. Again, really odd. You get one with the RES but not in the base EXL. Other than that, you will love this car.

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  So far, so good! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Trish C. - July 2 - 7:53 am

  I bought my 2016 Pilot EX-L AWD on 9/2016. I have already taken it on a small road trip and every time I drive it, I fall in love again. Its been great in the short time Ive had it and hoping it will last a lifetime. Sometimes the Bluetooth goes out but I just reset it. Technology, go figure. But the drive, the comfort and the space is really wonderful! I traded my Murano for it and while I thought I would have that car forever I am really happy I traded it in for the Pilot. I do wish the panoramic roof was available on the lower trims but still happy with at least having a sun roof. Great SUV!

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  If you dont have one, get one!!!!!! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Natedrummer - July 1 - 10:00 am

  We just bought a PILOT EX-L and we love it. We looked a the ACURA MDX, and it was the same SUV with a different body design that cost $6,000 more than the PILOT. We looked at the LEXUS LX450 and we were disappointed with the size. The PILOT is absolutely the best SUV in its class. I Love the body design, the interior and the performance. Take it from me, this SUV moves!!! I also love the room inside, it doesnt look bulky, like some of its competitors. Dont judge it until you test drive it. I test drove the majority of SUVs that are out there and the PILOT takes the cake. But the only way to find out is if you buy one!!!

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  Tahas pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Taha Hameduddin - June 27 - 10:00 am

  It is a really fun car...its really spacious and really fun to drive... the 4WD works excellent

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  Smaller is Bigger - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By brainjerk - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Compared to mywifes bigger Ford Expedition, it carries more, drives better, and utilizes so many interior spaces that it stores easily 12 times more parafanalia like tools, 8 phone books, jumper cables, than the Ford. Quiet, responsive, reliable, and safe.

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  Our first Honda disappointment and likely my last - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Rjsale1 - June 25 - 3:23 am

  Dont think for a minute that all that glitz in the showroom means you are getting a highly engineered and tested product. I have owned Honda products since the mid 70s (cars, motorcycles, mowers, snow blowers, small engines) and had high hopes for their new flagship design. The good: mileage better than expected, solid feel, easy and accurate steering, road noise overall low. The bad: soft brake pedal when stopping. It reduces pressure itself and will physically move down away from your foot. Dealer says nothing wrong, (known issue with this vehicle) but they will tell you this is likely the yaw control activating. Have determined that it seems to be slaved into the transmission when it decides to downshift it reduces braking assist which is very unnerving. The radio cuts out sometimes and gives a warning that the "clarionextraframenetwork has stopped working". Apparently this is telling me that it has dropped the Bluetooth connection to my phone. Trying to use the hands free voice dialing system is infuriating sometimes. Its so unreliable that I mostly use Siri voice dialing on my Iphone. Honda dealer has advised the fix is to replace the radio. Honda corporate advises that there is no projected date for the replacement so I am stuck with a $42,000 car that doesnt have a fully functioning radio. Transmission now slamming into lower gear at around 40mph. Honda corporate asks for surveys and then doesnt respond to issues. Last lease was a Ford Edge with absolutely zero issues in 70,000 miles. Left Ford because of poor dealer service. Guess what I am thinking now?

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  Honda-4-Life - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Honda-4-Life - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Its a Honda. It does everything that any other SUV can do, except it does it perfectly. The build quality is exceptional. Its roomy and quiet. Its fun to drive and the stadium type seating in the 2nd and 3rd rows are a bonus. OK, complaints (if you can call them that). The second bench should have an adjustable forward and rear travel. Gas mileage is probably slightly better than most of the other V6/V8 SUVs out on the market today. As for paying MSRP, well, I paid MSRP but haggled about 50% off on my options. Its a Honda. The price is worth it. Dont pass this up on your list of SUV choices...matter of fact, make it the only choice.