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:

• 

  A year of enjoyment! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By PleasedPilotOwner - August 10 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I have had our Pilot for a year and are extremely pleased with it. We just returned from a 3000 mile road trip to Seattle and back through Yellowstone NP. The Pilot never hesitated climbing the steep mountain grades. We passed many Toyotas and Fords as they bogged down on the ascents. The Pilot never flinched as the cruise control kept its setting. We find the Pilot to be very comfortable on long trips.

• 

  Am Happy - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Paul Gilbert - August 9 - 8:00 pm

  I replaced my 94 Cad Seville and 99 Honda CRV with an 05 Pilot EXL a few months ago. So far so good.Have paid more for cars but think this may be indeed the best car Ive ever owned overall. It is quieter than the CRV although still noisy on certain road surfaces, and doesnt get the fuel economy the Seville did (25+ mpg on the highway with 91 octane vs about 21 with 89 for the Pilot so probably a push cost wise? But worse than the CRV overall for sure. Worth it though overall I think because it is quiet enough I can listen to the radio at highway speeds--not possible in the CRV--and a much more comfortable ride. Will be adding a Toyota Avalon to my "fleet" for reasons unimportant to you.

• 

  My great honda! - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Steve - August 8 - 11:03 pm

  I have had my pilot for about 2 months now and I love it! It has plenty of space, and its pretty comfy for a honda because its my sixth one! One thing I was disappointed about was the sound system, because it sounds boxy. But Id still recommend it because i like the safety and pretty much everything else about it. Id like to say that it is a great family vehicle and great for some off roading.

• 

  First SUV- best ever - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Chris - August 8 - 2:56 am

  I have driven many SUVs from Trailblazers to Explorers, this is the best I have come across. It drives like a car not as a major uHaul. Its stylish and its good to go.

• 

  Soccer-Mom Heaven - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By OBXmom - August 7 - 12:59 pm

  I traded my 2005 Civic in for this, but there was just never enough room. My DH is over 6 and the 2 kids are growing fast. I miss filling up for $35, but we took a 2 hour drive to shopping mall with 8 adults, and we were perfectly comfortable. We are leaving tomorrow for vacation, and have plenty of room to bring everything we could want, and we will be comfortable enough to take the scenic route. The DVD player is our first in-car system, and I am glad I finally gave in. We didnt get the NAV, because he prefers the Garmin after market.

• 

  2003 Pilot Falling Apart - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Disgusted Pilot Owne - August 7 - 1:31 am

  I have a 2003 Pilot EX-L with RES with 79,000 miles. Gradually, the thing is falling apart. After 3 years, the A/C broke. Shortly after that, 2 door locks broke. The quality of the leather is terrible. The drivers side visor mirror cover broke. The plastic on the bottom side of the drivers side broke off. One of the rear A/C vents broke. The car is even starting to rust right in the middle of the passengers side door for no apparent reason! This is unbelievable! When I speak to Honda about these issues, they say they have never heard of such problems. However, I am finding by reading online that my problems are quite common. What has happened to Hondas quality?

• 

  I would never purchase Honda Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By irelands - August 6 - 5:30 pm

  The heating /cooling ventilation system is poor, bad circulation, side windows ice up inside during driving to ski resorts. Car seats 7 passengers and one driver, but windows fog up all around vehicle interior with only three passengers. Seats are built so close together, impossible to get fingers down to floor level to retrieve dropped coins, credit cards, vacuum crumbs etc, hard to clean carpets as nozzle does not fit in such tight spaces where seats are anchored. Plastic in vehicle is poor quality, breaks easily. Had number of factory recalls for safety restraint systems, All in all, a poorly-designed car.

• 

  Not so great - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By kimo darling - August 2 - 7:50 pm

  The vehicle is small and does not take bumps very well. The doors shut and make a noise like tin cans. The vehicle seems cheap and cant pull anything but a really small trailer (really small) Lots of road noise. If you look under the vehicle from the rear, the exhaust pipe looks funny the way it is routed. It hangs down and looks like a string of spegetti.

• 

  2009 Pilot has the right combination - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By NMH - August 1 - 7:26 am

  I purchased a "plain Jane" LX FWD version in fall of 2008 because it beat the nearest competition (GMC Arcadia) on interior features, width of roominess and price ($4500 cheaper on base model after all the rebates and negotiation at actual dealers). After 1 year of internet search, two car shows with a measuring tape in hand, I test drove both the Pilot and Arcadia back to back on the same piece of city/highway road on the same day. Pilot has great sound, is smooth and quiet and had the exact room I needed - I wanted to be able to have two 36 in long dog crates kept regularly in the back of the SUV with the 3rd seat down and still be able to have the 2nd row seats up for passengers.

• 

  Safety is questionable - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By ex - July 30 - 9:24 pm

  My 05 Honda Pilot would come to a grinding halt without warning. The incidents occurred 3 times - 2 from taking off from a stop light and the 3rd time while driving a 55 mph. I was lucking all three cases that the individuals behind me were paying close attention.