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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  3 Strikes - Your Out - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jill - March 24 - 11:57 pm

  Strike 1- Styling, It simply looks like every other vehicle on the road. The interior is more of a mini van than SUV. There is no center arm rest or large storage area as in previous Pilots. It has mini van style arm rests. Strike 2 - Too much unnecessary electronics such as the touch screen audio, push button start and electric tailgate. (Are people really that lazy that they can not open and close the tailgate) Strike 3 - Handling. This vehicle does not handle well. The steering is light and does not seem strong enough for a vehicle this size and weight. There is also a weird bottom weight feel. Out here in the country where I live, we have lots of winding roads. I have never had any car or truck handle so poorly and with so much body roll. There is no confidence when driving. In my opinion, Honda has taken several steps backwards with the 2016 Pilot. It is not an improvement from the last 2 generations.

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  No longer an SUV - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Mike - August 6 - 10:16 am

  The redesigned Pilot is more of a minivan than an SUV. Just sitting behind the wheel makes you feel like your in a minivan with the lack of a center console and flimsy fold down arm rests. The quality of the materials is very good, however it does not drive well. The ride is very smooth, but the steering is very light and does not feel stable. There is a heavy bottom weighted feel that is very weird and unnatural. You really can not feel the road at all. The lane watch feature and the back up camera are welcomed safety features, however the touch screen display is just annoying and is cumbersome to operate. I personally do not like it, nor do I care for the push button start. These are not welcomed features. The one touch seat decline/ movement is a nice feature, but more money and engineering should have gone into the steering and handling to make this a better handling vehicle. Sadly, the salesman told me very few people that have driven the new Pilot have liked the way it handled. I am not sure what Honda was thinking, but they need to go back to the drawing board on this.

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  Just Another 2016 Lemon - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Lanie - May 28 - 5:24 am

  Worst mistake I ever made. My 2016 Pilot was purchased new in March 2016. First problem was the transmission searching for gears, "thats normal, just v-tec". Second was the AC only blows out of vents at 67 degrees, 55 when they "fixed" it but in the South, that makes the air temp of the car 87+ depending on the weather, but "that is normal". Fuel economy, thats a joke! 13.1 average but "that is my driving style". Fourth, popping in the front end, "cannot duplicate". Fifth, put the car in drive and it wont go, "thats downhill assist and normal". Sixth, car wont start but that "cant be duplicated and it might have been because the driver didnt press the brake". Seven, no heat! So no AC during the summer and now no heat during the winter, that is "just the new normal with these new EPA regulations". Eight, the radio may or may not pickup local channels but "thats normal". Nine, the radio and camera dim to where you cant see it, but "cant be duplicated". Ten is when you press the gas to go and the transmission doesnt catch a gear, that my friends is why I traded this car today.

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  check engine light - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By Alexander Moibenko - May 14 - 4:29 am

  I have 2014 Honda Pilot. I like it very much, but here is the reason why I gave the low rating to it. The check engine light comes on and off. The code indicates that it needs a replacement of catalytic converter. At one Honda service I was charged for checking the code and at another one they replaced catalytic converter for no charge, but the check engine light is still coming on and off. I had several Honda cars. My last Honda accord has about 150000 miles and it also started having the same problem, but for 2 years old engine this is just ridiculous.

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  Buyer beware - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Gregg - March 9 - 1:06 am

  Beware of the elite and touring 9 speed models. The transmission is terrible. It actually speeds up going down hills. We thought this was a flaw just in our car yet many others have experienced the same problems. It is dangerous and my wife is afraid to drive it anymore. Our $44000 pilot has sat in the shop for a total of 28 days thus far. Honda corporate wont admit that there is a problem although our local dealer admits it is. So much for Honda quality. We are selling ASAP.