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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  Pilot, Another great Honda - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By guygm - April 30 - 2:00 am

  One month owner, 4th Honda, currently own 99 CRV, 00 Odyssey, both terrific. Pilot, great room, visibility, interior lights. Ride comfort, and handling great

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  Our first Honda and its great! - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By David - April 28 - 6:06 am

  Weve have had the Pilot for a few weeks now and we love it. Much better than our previously owned Grand Cherokee. Interior is great, seats are comfortable. All around outside view is very good.The Pilot handles well for its size. Gas mileage is far better than the Jeep SUV, looking forward to a long trip in the Pilot, the ride is comfortable. Very responsive to acceleration and braking. The engine is quiet, ride at freeway speeds is also quiet and smooth. Navigation system is an excellent tool, the backup camera is a big plus for parking when backing in. Radio, CD and sound system performs very well. Side impact air bags another big plus for safety features. So far we made a very good choice.

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  Our New Pilot - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Todd Reihing - April 25 - 3:36 am

  Great SUV - for the feature set, navi, RES, sunroof, leather, Class III hitch, back-up camera, back-up sensors and climate control you will not find a better SUV on the market for the price. I test drove the Lexus RX, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota Highlander and none came close to the price with the Touring models feature set. Add on Hondas build quality and you have a perfect combination.

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  The 2016 Honda Pilot; lots to love and hate! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Henry Malarkey - April 24 - 2:24 pm

  The new Honda pilot has lots of really great features! I love the amount of cargo space. The biggest in the mid-range SUV. It has a little more power and is much more aerodynamic. Making it reasonable that they can get better gas milage than the older version. Dont believe it! I purchased the new Honda pilot after having a 2013 Pilot. The increased gas milage in spite of the slightly bigger engine and more horsepower was what attracted me. They advertised 26mpg on the highway. I do 98% of my miles on the highway, so I was interested. The computer on the dashboard calculates the mpg for you. When you first start out the mpg seems like it is going to be close to 25mpg or so, but after a couple of hundred miles or so the dash reading is really 22mpg. Well perhaps Im a more aggressive driver or I drive 71mph and their calculation was for 65mph. So, when I fill up the tank and divide the miles traveled by the gallons I put in it, I find out that Im only getting 20mpg. Their computer isnt correct. I suspect this is deliberate deception by corporate Honda. The computer should be able to calculate the mpg exactly no matter how I drive.

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  Honda Vet moves to SUV - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By rave - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I did my share of research for a well priced SUV that could provide a good value & resale value as well. It ended up right under our nose. The Honda Pilot. The Pilot has everything that I believe an average SUV buyer could want. The colors & interior options are great as well. I love everything about it. We owned a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP & it got 25mpg easy. I havent gotten to that point yet with our Pilot. But its new so Im optomistic.

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  Good SUV but improvements needed. - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By the rod! - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Reliable SUV as expected from Honda. Good design. Acceptable interior. Fell short on the 3rd row seat design (not for humans!). Lack of standard "features" such as keyless remote entry. Im willing to sacrifice the aluminum wheels (look) for convenience features.

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  My only problem - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By brunerp - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I love the performance of the Pilot; I also like the navigation system. The only problem, so far, is the paint job, especially on the front bumper. It actually rubbed off when I brushed (not crashed into) a snow bank. Other points on the front of the car show that the paint appears to be coming off (not because of dings). Off course I had to paint to have the bumper repainted at the dealership. Other than that, I love it.

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  Going Piloting - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By cweave02 - April 24 - 10:00 am

  A dream to drive!

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  WhoooHoooo I love it! - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Bonnie - April 23 - 11:56 am

  This is my second Honda Pilot, I liked my 2005 even though I thought the styling was blah. I get all the equipment I can get on my vehicles and the only thing I left off this one was the rear entertainment and AWD, neither of which I need or want. This Pilot is fantastic...Im getting 20 mpg in town and 26 on the highway (Im a grandmother that doesnt "hot-rod"). Its luxurious and thats what I was looking for. I do agree that the glove compartment is stingy with room, but its a minor flaw. The Navi drives me nuts, but Ill get used to it. Cant learn to trust the back-up camera, still need to look first. Thanks Honda, you did it again.

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  Looked at every vehicle before this one! - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Rich - April 16 - 9:50 pm

  I looked at almost every vehicle out there before deciding on the Honda Pilot. I couldnt be happier. The suv/car does everything right. Its a major improvement over my 2004 Dodge Durango (lease ended)- its quieter, quicker throttle response, more comfortable, and mostly more fun than most of the vehicles that I looked at, including Nissan Murano, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler Pacifica and especially my Dodge Durango. I love it! and I have already suggested that my friends test drive it to see for themselves. I got a really nice lease deal on the car which helps me say a lot of nice things about it.