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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  Bad Choice! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Bad Choice - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a Honda to get away from some of the problems I had encountered when driving GM vehicles. This car has been to the dealer so much it shoud be kept there!! I cant believe the high ratings this vehicle has received. Does every publication assume because it is a Honda that the quality/design is great? 1). Weld Spash- Front Strut area 2). Loud Popping noises out of rear 3). Air Bag Recall 4). Transmission Recall- Design Problem 5). Rear Differential to be replaced- Currently on Back order cant receive? Common Problem with other Pilots????

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  Disappointed - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By CLS525 - July 13 - 3:09 pm

  I purchased a brand new 2016 Honda Pilot after my 2008 Odyssey (with 198,000 miles) was totaled in an accident. I test drove everything from a Kia to Lexus and but loved the Pilot the minute I sat in it. Maybe it was because it felt more like my Odyssey or maybe it was because it was a brand new car; Im not sure. Whatever the case, its now almost 2 months (and 3,800 miles) later and Im not so in love anymore. On the upside, the fuel economy is great and the "Econ" option button helps get even more out of one tank of gas. The seats are comfortable for a short person (52") and the front seat storage is great. The sound system is good....if you listen to Sirius radio. Not so great with local stations (lots of static & a very "tinny" sound). This is my 4th Honda (I had a Civic, and a CR-V before the Odyssey) and all of my previous 3 served me very well.....lots of miles driven and never had any trouble. All that said, this Pilot has had little hiccups from the beginning that Im afraid will eventually turn into long-term indigestion. As mentioned in so many other reviews, the touchscreen is extremely slow and way too complicated to operate while driving. Some of the controls really need to be on the steering wheel. In addition, some of the settings dont lock, i.e. the lock setting for the doors. I tried setting the doors to lock when shifted from "P". It works initially, but defaults back to factory settings once the vehicle is turned off for a couple of hours. Both the dealer and Honda state that they "dont have a fix for it yet." Another drawback is handling: it hydroplanes VERY easily. My husband was surprised when the car hydroplaned on a moderately wet road when traveling slower than the speed limit. In one instance where I had to stop suddenly (on dry pavement) to avoid someone who pulled out in front of me, the rear of the car swerved to the left almost like the ABS didnt work. Ive also experienced (a couple of times) the feeling that the cruise control doesnt disengage upon turning it off manually or by hitting the brake; the car will continue moving forward at the cruise control speed until I hit the brake harder. Its only happened a couple of times so Im not sure if its just a nuance of the transmission or if theres really a problem. I did purchase the extended warranty simply because I put a lot of miles on my vehicles and like that extra reassurance but now, after driving it for a couple months, I have a feeling there may be some failed features down the road that will make that extended warranty more valuable to me. Overall, Im disappointed in the 2016 Pilot and definitely dont feel as safe as I did in my Odyssey. If I had to do it over again, I think I would end up going with another Odyssey or another brand of vehicle.

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  Best In class - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By DaCarMan - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I have to say, we have never owned an SUV but have owned several Honda Pruducts. I originally wanted an MDX but the Pilot is such a better deal. Rides good, excellent gas milage for an SUV. Huge inside and looks small out side. How do they do that????

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  best of all suv - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By mariio - July 11 - 8:10 pm

  i love my pilot ,its great suv fun to drive , i never had one problem from day one its a honda so its good and it hold very good value nicely build the most room for the money i had 8 people going to fl from nyc it was fun nobody said that it wasnt roomy. its a great truck overall and im going to buy another when time comes thank you honda

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  03 HONDA PILOT - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By STEVE E - July 6 - 2:00 am

  DOESNT LOOK THAT BIG FROM OUTSIDE BUT TAKE A LOOK INSIDE ALL THE ROOM OF A TAHOE OR EXPEDITION JUST MINUS THE TEN INCHES IN THE CARGO ROOM WITH THE THIRD ROW UP ,TIGHT RIDE , VERY QUITE AND WITH ALL THE OPTIONS EVEN IF YOU PAY FULL STICKER IT IS STILL 6000 LESS THAN TAHOE 5OOO LESS THAN EXPEDITION STICKER PRICES AFTER NEGOTIATING ON BOTH THEY WERE AROUND 2700 MORE WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES

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  Could have done better - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Darrel Shepack - July 4 - 6:38 pm

  The hood flaps in the breeze at high speed with a cross wind. The push button transmission is a pain. The automatic braking feature is dangerous. I have had several near accidents because the brakes are automatically applied. Instead of the brakes being applied normally, they are slammed! The drivers behind me are none too happy. I have learned a whole new language as they pass me and give me the one finger salute. Getting my vehicle washed is a joke. You have to go through a series of button pushing to keep the vehicle from being damaged. Now, I have to take it to a self wash facility. Honda has found a way to ruin the new car experience with a CD instead of an owners book. there are several other things that are very annoying but not worth the trouble to list. If you buy one, make sure you understand EVERYTHING about the operation of the vehicle before taking it off the lot. This was my first and last Honda.

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  auto enjoyment - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By dennyhow - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Great motor, good transmission, driving enjoyment. Good handling, excellent cargo space, seating capacity good, 4 wheel drive feature excellent for light to moderate heaving going. Gas mileage is good.

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  I love my Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Su - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Best ride for a full size SUV, great gas mileage. Very comfortable all the way around. After having owned a Ford Explorer I feel like I moved into a luxury vehicle.

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  Love our Pilot - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Jeff M - June 29 - 11:34 am

  We purchased our 07 in 2010 with 30k miles on it as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. It has 82k on it now and has been a wonderful car. I recently did the timing belt and water pump which isnt a cheap maintenance item, but other than that and rear shocks its needed nothing. Drives like its brand new and feels like a very expensive car. If I had one complaint it would be lack of storage space behind the third row of seats, which is now a problem since our family has grown from 4 to 6 in the time since we purchased the car! Fortunately we have an Odyssey that has become the default road trip vehicle as it has the extra storage space we need for long adventures. Cant say enough good things about this one though. I do plan on keeping it a long time. Also worth noting: some complain about Hondas use of a timing belt vs. chain. My last vehicle was a 4 cyl 02 Toyota Highlander that used a chain. At about 90k miles the front timing cover started leaking oil and I spent almost $1000 having it re-sealed. Had them replace the chain tensioner while they were in there just for preventive maintenance. When I sold it the car had 170k+ miles on it and that same area was leaking again. What good is a chain if the cover is going to leak oil anyway requiring the same kind of money to be spent as you would to have a belt changed? Thats my thinking. No, Im not crazy about dropping $900-1000 for timing belts every 100k but the point is whether chain (and the like I experienced with mine) or belt, my experience has been that youre going to spend the money regardless.

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  mom mobile graduate - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Hoser - June 25 - 10:00 am

  After graduating our kids, we graduated from the Odyssey to the Pilot. It offers the same practicality as the Honda "mom mobile," but with a touch more sophistication and style, and the "fun factor" is high.