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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  2006 Honda Pilot EX 2WD - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By DCS - September 4 - 5:10 pm

  The Honda Pilot is an efficient blend of practicality and good looks. It rides and handles well with a solid feel, and has plenty of room for passengers and cargo. It accelerates strongly yet averages over 20 mpg in every-day traffic. The V6 uses only 3 cylinders under light load, yielding about 25 mpg on the highway. Reliability after one year and 12,000 miles has been perfect.

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  Very Disappointed So Far - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Ettamarna - September 1 - 5:13 pm

  After less than two months and 1,500 miles, my new 06 Pilot died (leaving my pregnant wife stranded in a snow storm). Apparently the "third bearing was contaminated" from the factory and "disintegrated." Engine was oil starved, and now short block and cylinder heads need to be replaced. Aside from that, the car suffers from a number of annoying interior creaks and rattles. Audio (both stereo and nav) "blacks out." The fr p door rubs the body panel. I have a 2003 S2000 that I love, but my faith in Honda has been shaken. Maybe it is a problem w/ the Alabama plant? Ive filed a case w/ Honda asking them to replace with new vehicle (rather than rebuild the engine). Will post an update.

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  Vinyl Seats? - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Tuck - September 1 - 5:46 am

  We compared to the other suvs this was clearly the best value and performance has been excellent. However, we strongly advise a longer than 30 minute test drive. At about 15 minute your back will start sweating. I had leather seats in every car since 1980, and never have we sweat so much! I cringe at the thought of driving anywhere over 20 minutes. Add to the cost of reupholstering and the value drops significantly.

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  Cool Crossover! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By NHusain - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle. I understand a lot of people like bold styling than bland. But its really not ugly, just bland. You will notice its overall solid feel. I like the fact that its based on MDX and Odyssey. Hopefully, it should enjoy a great resale value as well.

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  Not a great Car for the Price - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By romsaldan - August 29 - 2:10 am

  Car comes with a donut tire, disappointed not told about it by sales people. I had to put a full size tire and it was difficult to find a rim that fits the wire that holds. For the price it should some with a full size tire. Quality of Goodyear tire on my vehicle is very poor. Fuel efficiency is not great. Ride is not smooth.

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  My Pilot - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Johnny Escobar - August 27 - 9:58 pm

  Great vehicle, smooth ride, if you dont require a lot of fancy gadgets and are of simple taste this is the vehicle for you! Do your homework, and the price you pay is worth the wait.

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  Overall good vehicle, but some annoying items - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By DD - August 26 - 4:13 pm

  Overall, I am happy with the Honda Pilot, and would recommend. However, because of some of the items noted below, I am not able to give a rating higher than 3 stars. I really wanted to purchase the EX-L trim with V6. But ending up purchasing the Touring trim. With respect to the EX-L trim. Why is Honda forcing the consumer to select between one of: Honda Sense, navigation, or rear entertainment? These three options can not be combined on the EX-L. A Honda salesman tried to convince me that built-in navigation is no longer necessary with addition of Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay. If you have ever traveled to rural areas without cellphone data coverage, youll understand the need for built-in navigation. The Honda Lane Watch. If this is such a great feature, why doesnt the Elite have two cameras (both driver and passenger sides)? Instead, the Elite adds real Blind Spot detection feature. I would much rather have the blind spot detection with large illuminated icon on the side mirrors, instead of the Honda Lane Watch. If the majority of your turns are in the right lane, you will quickly understand the annoyance (dont need to see grass or sidewalk). An illuminated icon on the side mirror is quick for the driver to process. Whereas, the "Honda Lane Watch" requires the driver to remove their eyes from the road, and look at the in dash monitor to determine if there is a car in the lane. The main point of safety features is to help the driver focus on the road. Which "Honda Lane Watch" doesnt, because you have to watch live video feed and make decision. The Touring and Elite has Engine Stop feature. The Honda Pilot isnt a hybrid like Toyota Prius, so not sure why Honda engineers felt this feature was necessary. Really annoying in stop-and-go city traffic. When you come to a complete stop, the engine shuts down. There is capability to disable Engine Stop, but must be disabled each time you start the car. In 2017, a lot of manufactures offer the motion activated rear lift gate. This should be included at the Touring and Elite trims. If you dont care about connectivity (Andriod Auto or Apple CarPlay), go with model year 2016. It is the exact same as 2017, without connectivity. I can confirm what has been said in other reviews: the active safety features are overly sensitive, and shifting is rough at low speeds.

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  8 Hondas and this will be our last.. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Tony Calandra - August 26 - 5:37 am

  The good: Safety features, interior space / cargo volume, engine power The bad: Infotainment is slow and buggy, floaty handling. The ugly: Honda quality (or lack there of). Jerky 9 speed transmission that "surges" in certain down hill driving conditions - Safety issue! The vehicle has a highway vibration issue that the dealer cant figure out. Honda could care lees and claims its "normal". Paint quality - my dealer bought back the first one we purchased from them because of 30+ "spots" in the clear coat. Honda was going to pay to have 75% of the vehicle repainted, but we refused. The first vehicle didnt have the vibration problem and still Honda tells us they all do it, so its a "normal characteristic of the vehicle." Im guessing its VCM related, but Its hard to say when Honda wont help. We had "normal" vibration issues on both a 2009 and 2012 and both ended up requiring engine work at under 70k miles. Should have known better.

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  Its Greaaaaaaaaaaat! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Pilot Man - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Just Purchased My Honda Pilot and man it is nice. It Drives like a car and has the room of a minivan. The third row seating is great and the DVD entertainment system is great for the kids. This car is a great buy. Deal was OK, not much off sticker but did get some. Glad I waited for the 2004 which includes Heated seats and mirrors.

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  First SUV, probably the last! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By VASteve - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2004 Honda Pilot EXL w/DVD and absolutely love it. Fuel economy is great for a vehicle this size, V6 is strong, and handling is amazing. Turning radius exceptional, and brakes very firm. Interior has simply everything you want for a family vehicle including safety, entertainment, and comfort. A week after I bought the Pilot, I had to dash out of my city to flee from an impending Isabell with my family, pets, and luggage. After 330 miles of driving on congested, windy, and wet roads; I would drive nothing else. Overall, the 2004 Pilot EXL epitomizes the saying, "it aint braggin if you can do it."