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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  Best for our needs - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By admanc - March 18 - 4:04 pm

  After researching several types of SUVs with 3rd row seating, we narrowed our list down to the Pilot. We found a great deal on one at a local used car lot and it was in excellent shape. This is truly the vehicle our family needed and its features adequately meet our criteria.

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  This should help with your decision! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By northeastpilot - March 13 - 10:19 am

  After driving everything, heres what I found. The popular Acadia got such great reviews but heres how I graded it: interior. B (too many cheap plastics) exterior. A- ride. B+. Drove the Acura (pricey for things I dont need) Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy SUVs. None beating pilot. They either had quality or cargo issues. Heres my grade on the pilot-interior a-, exterior. B+, ride. A. Combined with with build quality & resale, its a home run. A guy I met said it perfectly. The pilot is like looking for the right woman/wife. Shes nice looking but not the prettiest. Get to know her and her qualities will win you over easily. Youll make a mistake going with the prettiest SUV (woman.

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  Realistic View - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By PilotAfterPilot - March 12 - 12:59 pm

  First let me say that all reviews depend on what the reviewer wants from a car. I needed a car that would be safe for my family, functional, and a good value. The Honda Pilot delivers on all accounts. One of the best features for us is the interior room. With the width of the 2nd row seat you can easily fit a normal sized adult in the middle seat between 2 car seats, good luck doing that in a Highlander! First hand experience says the car is very safe as well. Last month another Pilot lost control and hit us head on. Both cars totaled, no injuries, and I had my kids and parents in the car! Im getting my 2010 Pilot tomorrow. The car also drives well, and did great in the snow!

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  Steering issues - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By mgb - March 11 - 7:17 pm

  After steering issues with a CR-V I previously owned, I had some concerns about buying a Pilot but after some test drives and conversations with my dealer, my concerns were alleviated. Big mistake on my part. It just took one experience of accelerating while going up a fairly steep highway hill and trying to change lanes to the right to convince me that my Pilot is dangerous. It floated back toward the original lane I was in on its own accord. Since then Ive noticed that quite often when I accelerate going up a hill, especially coming out of a right turn, it doesnt stick to the road. Hopefully Ill be rid of it before I have to depend on it in an emergency situation.

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  Interior Plastic Scratches Easily - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By mommyofthree - March 11 - 11:28 am

  Love driving my new 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD RES. The only negative comment I have is interior plastic is awful. Scratched in so many places already! I have had the car only 1 month. Black plastic on dashboard is chipping and has turned white. Seems as if you touch the plastic is scrapes. Also DVD seems to be rattling tons when not in use.

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  Love my Pilot! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Kelli - March 10 - 11:16 am

  Weve had a couple of Honda vehicles previously -- a 2004 Odyssey and a 2007 Element (which I traded in for this Pilot). Both have been excellent vehicles, so it was an easy decision to get another Honda. I adored my Element and it drove fantastic, so I actually didnt have any intention of trading it in for a Pilot that day. But as I looked at the new body design, I loved it. Ive previously not been a fan of the Pilot. Then I looked a bit more at the interior features - really comfortable, liked how the rear entertainment system worked, and was impressed by the way it drove.

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  Pull to the right, low mpg - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By jrock258 - March 7 - 10:44 pm

  Bought a 10 Pilot in 8/09. The pull to the right was obvious from the start. The car would drive off the road in 3-4 seconds. After 5 trips to the dealer, pulling stopped. The first 5 trips incl. switch fr and rr tires, replace 1st bad tire, rear alignment, front alignment and adjd steering wheel. None fixed the problem. On trip #5, (6 if you count the test drive with the Serv Mgr.), tires were tested for tire pull (Google Hunter gsp9700), 2nd bad tire was replaced and the pull stopped. On Edmunds, there are +15 complaints about the 09/10 Pilot pulling to the right. All complaints are for the LX/EX with Good Year Fortera H/L, Last count for Tourg model complaints with Michelins. = zero

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  Great SUV but ... - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Wren - March 6 - 5:22 pm

  I purchased this 2007 pilot used with 36,000 miles on it. Great vehicle so far. Handles well on the road and drives smoothly. The only downfall is the gas mileage. I travel 60 miles round trip and about 30 miles are rural roads. My gas mileage is about 16 miles per gallon. Keeping in mind the tank holds 20 gallons. Not very good gas mileage from this vehicle.

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  Love it! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Bob - March 6 - 12:11 pm

  Mileage is a little weak but overall car is great, comfort, handles well, drives nice. I love mine!

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  Heated Drivers Seat - FIRE HAZARD! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By LorenzoRota - March 5 - 3:26 pm

  My 2004 Honda Pilot with 39,000 miles has problem with the drivers side seat heater. It gets dangerously hot to point of burning. If you to to the NHTSA incident database or to Edmunds discussion group , you will find several complaints about this same exact problem. All complaints reference a 2004 Pilot: seat gets EXTREMELY HOT on right side of driver seat. Some people have had FIRES OR SMOKE coming from seat. I contacted Honda Customer service and they refused to acknowledge any problem or to remedy the problem reported as a safety problem. Yes, it is out of warranty but a seat FIRE is a serious safety issue!