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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  Nice Ride! - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Beth Kuzmich - November 7 - 2:47 pm

  I LOVE my new Pilot! It is comfortable, quiet, and a nice ride. There is plenty of interior room, and head/leg room, even in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Good storage between two front seats. With the 60/40 3rd row split you can put different size cargo in and only give up minimal seating. The rear trunk space is very limited, so I would suggest installing roof rack bars and investing in a sturdy storage container. The climate control and entertainment options keep all rows of travelers happy too. Plenty of cupholders too. One of the issues I have experienced is a seriously over-sensitive front impact safety sense. It screams BRAKE at you and shakes the steering wheel even when there is no chance for front impact (this is especially true when vehicle is taking a corner to the right and there is a car coming around the same curve on the opposite side). Can be very unnerving.

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  Couldnt be Happier - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Dave - November 6 - 4:56 am

  Honda quality throughout. Tons of room. All three rows have plenty of space. I was amazed at the ride - I expected it to ride like a truck, but the smoothness and quiet are better than my old Lincoln Towncar. Acceleration is excellent. Extremely solid, safe feel. All the bells and whistles of a luxury car. Outlets are everywhere, pockets and nooks and crannies for storage all around you. Center console is so huge, I can fit TWO gallons of milk. A remarkable vehicle. Gas mileage is poor: I get 15mpg city.

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  2004 Pilot Review - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By MNScott - November 4 - 2:00 am

  New Pilot meets almost everyone of our needs. The Entertainment System is second to none and those long trips with kids arent so long anymore. Besides the well thought out interior, Im most impressed with the traction performance in snow. The AWD system performs better than my 4WD truck. Im sold on the AWD system that Honda has developed. Being from Minnesota, I thought there was nothing better than 4WD. Well, Hondas AWD system is one step better.

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  2016 pilot Elite transmission is crap - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Glenn Kim - October 30 - 7:29 pm

  Loved the Elite. Great car. Took it to Telluride and San Diego from El Paso during the summer both about 9 hour drives. Splurged for the AWD, top of the line. Last week when I was driving it , I noticed the transmission jerking and not shifting appropriately. Mind you I did two summer cruises in this car. Few days later my wife tells me the car is accelerating in a jerking way. I told her I noticed it too and suggested we take it to the dealer. Guess what, the computer found nothing. The car is not the same. They have a new fancy 9 speed transmission and it has PROBLEMS! I did a quick Google search and I am not alone. Honda is not addressing it , like the Takata air bag issues. BTW I have a 2009 Ridgeline waiting for new air bags to arrive on recall. I will open up a case with Honda North America and take it back to the dealer if the problem persists. I am sure they will say its my imagination. My options are burn the car, sell the damn thing or trade it in for a lower level pilot with the old 6 speed transmission. I should have known a new model with new this, that new fancy transmission might have new PROBLEMS. My Mercedes CLS 500 the first year they made it has been in the shop more times than I can count. I thought Honda was different than the fancy German cars but I was wrong. It was the Pilot, Audi Q7, Toyota Highlander, and several others with 3 rd row of seats my wife looked at. Honda had the best reviews, picked 2016 SUV of the year. Thats why we bought it. Now I am ready to crash the damn thing into the dealership and set it on fire. Buyer be ware. The new fancy 9 speed transmission has problems. Others might not notice it . It can be a subtle difference, but we did because of our summer road trips. I guess a few dozen people have to die for Honda to wake up. Just like the air bags.

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  No more screaming kids - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Syl - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I got this for my wife. Weve had it for almost a month now. Were getting around 15mpg which is better then the 99 Blazer(13mpg) it replaced but not around the 18-20mpg I was really expecting but its mostly city driving so it still has room for improvement. We got a dealer installed DVD player but I now wished I had gotten the navigation instead and got one of those audiovox 10" aftermarket DVD by myself. My 3 kids (3yr twins and 5yr old) are so fascinated by the DVD player that sometime you have to look again to make sure we didnt forget them somewhere. We love it so much that Im seriously considering trading in my 97 Mitsu. Eclipse GS-T for one myself.

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  Honda Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By BrianK - October 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased on July 4th and have been very happy with this vehicle. This is our third Honda vehicle. The ride is better and quieter than our 98 Accord. I have to hand it to Honda - this vehicle is AWESOME. Recently took a vacation to South Dakota and checked fuel economy. Averaged 18.4 mpg in the Black Hills area (176 miles driven on 2 different days)and averaged 23.89 mpg on highway and interstate driving in Western Nebraska and Kansas (1846 miles total). There are some steep grades out there and the Pilot had no troubles whatsoever.

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  best in class - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By sepat2b - October 28 - 10:00 am

  After reviewing and testing a few other SUVs I purchesed the Pilot and love it we travled 2400 miles the week after recieve the vehicle and everything was great

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  As they say, a fool and his money are soon parted - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Robert Guadagno - October 27 - 4:45 pm

  The Navigation/entertainment system is HORRIBLE. The software ease of use is a nightmare, its like Texting and driving. Brakes are ok and the wind noise is much better compared to my other Pilots. This is my 7th. The push button transmission stinks. When am I going to learn? Will I buy a 2018? Probably. Its like falling in love with a Tramp. Even though shes getting worse, I go back for more.

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  Luxury Family SUV - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Angela - October 23 - 12:35 am

  This car is a great compromise for the big family that doesnt want to go "minivan". My 7&10 yo kids love the 3rd row & can get in/out without assistance. 3rd row access for adults is not terrible for the smaller physically fit, but more challenging for the larger or not so athletic (like getting into the back of a 2 door coupe). But once youre there leg room & comfort arent bad for a 3rd row. If wanting to seat adults in 3rd row, I still suggest minivan with 2nd row captains chairs. Also, since the 2nd row does not offer captains chairs or removable center seat (unless you go Elite trim $$$) its a bench with a 60:40 split. So if you put 1 car seat in 2nd row, you can access the 3rd on the opposite side. If you put 2 car seats in 2nd row, you cant even get to the 3rd row because you cant fold the seat forward with a car seat on it. So just keep that in mind if you have lots of littles. My 2 are just using the 3rd row, leaving the 2nd for guests. & they have folded the 2nd flat & use it for a foot rest or game surface (cards, battleship) for trips. My kids are happy to have AC vents & controls in the 2nd row, but have been complaining of low air flow in 3rd row vents. I have to crank it on extreme High to get any air into those way back vents. But it has been 100F this month so may just be a summer thing. Overall we absolutely love our Pilot EX. And our insurance rate went down with all the safety specs, despite the hefty purchase price! A very welcome surprise 👍🏻

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  Great car, great buy - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By MollyB - October 22 - 10:00 am

  The more I drive this car, the better I like it. It provides good sized cargo space and good quality for the price. The Pilot is well thoughtout and very well put together.