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 All Purpose SUV - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Davek1 - April 8 - 8:20 am

  Just purchased a 06 4wd EXL. Great all purpose SUV. 3rd row seats are a big plus. (great to be able to recline the 2nd and 3rd rows). When both rows are folded flat, the amount of cargo space is tremendous. Easy to fit large boxes or equipment (i.e., bikes). Just drove in through our first snowstorm and it passed beautifully. The four wheel drive engages and disengages quietly (although, you will hear a faint clunk, as the rear differentals disengage). Heat side mirrors are also a plus. The versatility of this SUV is comparable to a minivan. More adjustable seating configurations than most other SUVs. Has decent acceleration from a dead stop, but much better during passing

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  Best SUV in USA - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By crbandrlb - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Very sure footed vehicle,better gas mileage than most other suvs,hauls very heavy/large loads better than my pathfinder,(it doesnt squat down with heavy loads). very wide and roomy inside for larger people,awsome sound system with the bass woofer in the rear, best console design Ive ever seen in a vehicle,lots of power outlets,

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  Great Value - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By bdunne - April 6 - 10:00 am

  After some initial problems - headliner, ps noise, rear suspension noise - this car has been flawless. Love the roominess of the interior. For the money, an excellent value.

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  Super Bargain SUV - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By JZinAZ - April 4 - 1:16 pm

  I had been considering smaller SUVs (CRV, RAV-4, CX-7) when I dicovered Honda was selling Pilots at the same price of these lesser vehicles. Hello! With almost $7,000 off of MSRP, this was an easy decision. Im a city boy so the FWD-only option was attractive. Honda builds great cars, this is one more example.

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  The technology is beyond brutal - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Fredrick Reiner - April 3 - 10:12 am

  I have no idea what happened but the 2016 Honda Pilot elite we bought has the worst touchscreen user interface on planet earth. Its cumbersome, really slow, glitchy and lacking basic features. You have to over-interact with it to get simple stuff accomplished, distracting you from driving therefore creating an unsafe driving experience. The map is correct 50% of the time when giving directions en-route. Also, you cant control the rear entertainment system (dvd) from the front seat, seriously!? You have to pull over, get out and go around to the back to control it. The lane assist is highly unreliable and the Ventilated seats dont work well. All the above has led us to decide we actually are going to have to sell a brand new car we bought 2 weeks ago as we cant live with these issues for another week, let alone years to come. This will be our first and last Honda. Just read all the other reviews of people complaining of the same issues, just brutal.

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  Great SUV - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Greg - April 1 - 6:10 am

  I debated between purchasing a Highlander and the Pilot and I am glad I chose the Pilot. The Pilot comes standard with a trailer hitch and a comparably equipped Highlander is about $3-$4K more and Toyota charges $600 over and above for a hitch. The Pilot is smooth in its acceleration and ride. The interior design is extremely well thought out and has tons of storage. The new design is much beefier/heavier/more masculine looking, which I love. You get a lot of great features for your money with this vehicle.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Michael T. - March 31 - 2:20 pm

  I just bought the Pilot 2 days ago. We replaced a 98 Ford Explorer that was rolled in an ice storm. We looked at the Pathfinder and 4-Runner, but the Pilot had more for the money. It rides more solid and does not have so much of that SUV tilt in the curves. It has a very smooth ride and we love all the features.

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  Excellent overall 7-seat SUV - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By languer - March 30 - 10:44 am

  The 2017 Pilot EX-L is overall an excellent 7-seat SUV. We researched several ones including Pathfinder, Explorer, Highlander, Traverse. One of our main needs was the third row seating. Overall the value of the Pilot is excellent. The performance is excellent, the quality is well known, and it has everything a family may need; from extra USB ports, to three-way climate control, to blind spot monitoring, to many other features that are all standard in the Pilot.

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  very, very, very happy - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Joe Daleo - March 26 - 2:00 am

  my 2003 Honda Pilot handles like a dream. It hugs the road on turns and bumpy roadways. Everyone that sits in my Pilot always comments on how comfortable it is and and nice it looks. Inside in spacious even for 6 above size adults. The exterior design to me is fantastic. I was rear ended by a dodge astro van and the front of his van, engine, radiator and trannie were destroyed. the only damage to my vehicle was the rear hatch door was slightly dented, my tail pipe was pushed all the way in and the tail lights broke and a slight bend in the rear quarter panels. All passengers in my vehicle were suprised also. its a vehicle Im proud of to drive.

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  Honda Pilot 2004 - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Hondaite - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and roomy. Excellent ride in city and on highway.