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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  probably my last Honda - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Ginger Davis - August 20 - 4:14 pm

  After owning EIGHT previous Hondas in this family (several Civics, Accord, CRV, even one previous Pilot), this one has convinced me to look at other cars. Its either a lemon or Hondas just arent made like they once were. I have had many, many minor annoyances and a couple major ones that have cost us a fortune. Its been to the dealership FOUR times for a problem that still isnt corrected despite several claims that it was just the sensor so they adjusted it, then it needed parts which I bought and paid for labor to replace with no difference...and we still have the issue with the back hatch. We also have horribly squeaky brake-like sounds when backing out of our inclined driveway which they cant figure out or fix. And the biggee was something that was actually recalled and, despite always taking this car which was under warranty only to the dealership for service in order to be covered without a doubt for years, I wasnt told about until I took it somewhere else. That shop took me and showed me that it was leaked fluids from some joints behind the front wheels and they easily found a service notification for my model and suggested I take it to the dealer that had always serviced it because "they would have to cover it since they were the only ones that touched it while it was under warranty". Well, guess what...they knew that was a problem but didnt mention it WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY because it wasnt bad enough yeah, waiting until it progresses and is NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY seems legit. Im done with Battema Honda in OKC and probably Honda altogether. Maybe going to check out Toyotas this time around.

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  Honda pilot 2015 - 2015 Honda Pilot
  By abraham - August 19 - 9:21 pm

  This is the first time I bought Honda vehicle and this will be the last and I will not buy any more Honda vehicles . The brake system is not good and slow pick up and cheap interior . My other vehicles are Toyota when I compare this pilot with my other vehicles I felt toyota vehicles are much more precise and responsive.

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  Great vehicle but discovering some flaws - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By Shree - August 5 - 7:49 pm

  The size and Honda reliability are what drew me to the Pilot. Ive owned it a little over a year and Im still pleased but have a few issues. The drivers side sun visor is drooping and after some research it appears this is common with numerous Honda models. The MPGs are about 19 not what Honda rated. Theres a clip on the back of the middle seat that pops off. Not thinking its good for whatever reason it was put there if it pops out when someone is in the seat. Otherwise, the size, storage, features and drivability of the SUV are great. I enjoy driving it!

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  A great vehicle in every way - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By Scott Hansen - August 5 - 5:55 pm

  My wife and I never buy new cars and the cars we have we keep for 10 or 15 years. The last car that my wife had was a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer and we had it 10 years and it was time to get a new vehicle. Two years ago we purchased a used Honda Civic and are very happy with it so when it came time to research vehicles we knew the Pilot would be one of them. We test drove three different SUVs. We tried the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota Highlander. We did not like the Santa Fe at all. The ride was not nice and despite raves from the reviewers, the interior seemed to be made out of cheep materials. The road we drove on was under construction and we felt every bump and hole we hit. The third row seating area was cramped, and that is being generous. The Toyota Highlander was next and we liked that car. It drove well, it looked nice, it was large and roomy but they tended to be more expensive and with less equipment than the Pilot. When we drove the Pilot I knew right away we found our next car. We drove one that had 17,000 miles on it and it had all the comforts we were used to and a bit more. The seats are very comfortable, there is plenty of second row seating leg room, and the third seat actually looks like it may be comfortable for adults. We liked the way it handled and how intuitive the controls were. I went to work and researched used Pilots and I honed in on three of them, on in Fargo, one where we live in the Twin Cities and one in Wausau, WI. The Fargo one and the Wausau one are about 3 1/2 hours from our house. I hate dealing with car dealerships but because I did the research I knew I was going to pay a fair price. When it came to numbers I wanted a towing lighting system installed as well as winter mats and a cargo area mat. The place in Fargo and I talked and then the place in Wausau and I talked. I was able to get a lower price from the Wausau place even though I was told this was the lowest they could go. They responded well when there was another valid offer on the table. I ended up going with the Wausau one because the vehicle they had was a Certified Honda which meant an extra years warranty. I then paid $795 to kick that out to the year 2020 or 100,000 miles, and with the low number of miles we drive I know I will be covered for five full years. Even with the warranty I ended up paying less than I would have at the Fargo dealer but the Fargo dealer was going to deliver it to my doorstep and I had to pick up the Wausau one. I then went online and found this forum. I was nervous when I read all about the vibration problems when the car goes into ECO mode. Since I did not test drive the exact vehicle I was buying, I thought it could be trouble. I also thought about this when I bought the extended Honda warranty. My wife and I have had the car now for about a month. So far there has been zero problems with vibrations. The car is a dream. It is built well and it gets better gas mileage than our old Mountaineer. It is more comfortable to drive and there is nothing better than getting that new car feeling even if it is a used car. My wife loves it too and is very happy with our choice. We are going to start saving our pennies so we can buy our next car with cash in about 10 years and most likely it will be a Honda or Toyota.

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  2014 pilot - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By Sam - July 31 - 11:01 am

  I love this vehicle!!! If you want a pilot dont get a base model go with the add- ons .We had many vehicles and I will say Ive been impressed with the pilot the most . If you take a little bit of time to set up radio, phone, gps WOW!! Towing isnt a problem for me and I tow (outdoor toys rzr, grizzly ,and 2 smaller atvs on my trailer ) . Not a problem and I have gone up Nittany mountain with ease . Kids enjoy the videos and can even play video games with the 120v outlet and easy access video /audio inputs. The lighted steps make it easy to get in and out at night. The dealership is definitely very good as well and we will probably be back for another later on down the line. And if you like being outdoor get them to throw in a tent that attachs to the back it does it all! !

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  Best vehicle ever! - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By CK - July 30 - 7:04 pm

  I bought new 9/06. This SUV has everything- comfort and capacity, you can haul a lot! This pilot grew with my family! Ive hauled 7 kids...5 kids and their stuff...multiple hockey bags and the hockey kids! We grew up through sports, summer and winter. The reliability of this car has been amazing! Because it will be 10 next year, I have started looking at maybe a new car. I cannot find anything out there that may hold a candle to this SUV. I didnt even mention that this baby got me through a few of the worst winters in Michigan history!!! In a foot+ of snow...I only put it in 4WD to back out my drive...then off and away through about 18" in 2!!! If you only had the 2 wheel version- you would be fine in very deep snow. It handles unbelievably well. Once on a very narrow snow covered road after bad storm there wasnt enough room for an oncoming car to pass...I pulled into the "bank" on the side of the road with the hope "we can do this"...and other car passed and I "plowed" through!! On my way again in 2WD! As everyone has said- the only maintenance...normal, brakes, tires...and very recently an alternator. The warning light went off- my husband checked- it was the alternator. He and my son changed it out for about $200! (It wasnt do-it-yourself super easy...but they managed) and we continue off every day like the "energizer bunny"! Mileage is mediocre...but considering all this vehicle has delivered over 9 years, I can forgive some frequent fill ups! Honda if you are listening- clone this vehicle...it is one of the best ever!

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  Great vehicle for the price! - 2015 Honda Pilot
  By Dave - July 28 - 2:51 pm

  Overall, I love this car. I wasnt too thrilled the first week. The VCM (variable cylinder management) system is kinda clunky and going from a smooth CVT to this led me to believe I was having transmission issues. This is not the smoothest SUV. It does great in every other gear but when I hit 20mph and downshift into 1st gear (I believe) there is an audible clunk that you can feel. It was a little annoying but only because I previously owned a Ford Explorer with tranny issues that started similarly to this. After taking it in to be looked at, it was explained to me that this is normal. With the car constantly turning off and on 3 cylinders, it does make the ride "less smooth" but you get better fuel economy in exchange. I will say that its a great highway cruiser with lots of nooks, crannies and cargo space. The A/C blows cold as soon as you start it up! (Even in the hot VA summer.) I love the interior of the new pilot. Its a huge step up. The interior is a little dated. I wouldve waited a couple weeks and bought a 2016 but I dont want a mini van. Which is what all new SUVs look like nowadays. I had to choose between interior aesthetics or exterior aesthetics and I chose exterior. I want my SUV to look like a SUV. Not a mini van. So, I chose the 2015 instead and got the square body SUV I know and love, but at the price of a dated interior. I do love this car. Aside from the VCM, I will say braking distance is poor, but its s great vehicle overall. If the 2016 Pilot kept the same body style but updated the interior to what it is now, I wouldve bought a 2016 in a second. This looks like the last true SUV in the market Ill ever be able to afford. I turned down a 2015 Pathfinder strictly due to the mini van design. Had the pathfinder kept true to its SUV design, Id be the owner of one right now. I understand gas mileage is important. Especially this day and age. But, me personally... Id rather sacrifice a few mpg and have a real SUV, not a minivanified SUV. Overall a great car. It has it quirks but its super reliable and super comfortable and looks like a real SUV. What more could you ask for. Id give it a solid B+ overall. Now is the time to buy a 2015 Pilot. With the new 2016, lots of dealerships are offering their 2015 models far below invoice price. The pilot has always been outside of my budget, but the 2016 Pilots new designed changed that for me and allowed me to buy a car I could never afford. Thats the only thing I like about the 2016 Pilot.

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  You cant go wrong with a 2006 pilot - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Carl - July 20 - 2:59 pm

  Over 150,000 miles on our 2006 Pilot and it still rides like a new. Changed the oil, tires and brakes thats all that has been needed. I just purchased the best SUV tires money can buy, and Im sending it to the body shop to have the paint freshened up (no rust just faded) . Im going to hang on to this dependable vehicle.

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  Sales Rep car - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By Mark - July 10 - 10:01 pm

  Transmission seems weak, shifts goofy. Wandered around when new, Honda said the ball joints needed to seat. Blows around in the wind. Like the rear camera. Front seats are small. MPG is okay. Never over 24. Seats stained from spilled water?

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  2009 Honda Pilot Review - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By captainbull - June 22 - 9:02 am

  We bought our 2009 Honda Pilot as new from a Honda dealership here are our assessments: 1. Cheap interior design. Cheap plastic and adhesive. The "skin" for the club compartment peels off easy. 2. Cheap glasses. Just one little hit of a little rock the windshield just cracked. Its so thin. 3. Noisy driving (windows not tight seal). 4. Cheap paint (scratch easy) 5. Incorrect gas mileage (they lied) we only get 18MPG on HW and 16MPG city. 6. Stupid trailer light system design. They just want their dealers to make extra cash (so many steps to install it) and the kit cost over $200!) 7. Only one key entry from driver side. 8. Windshield wiper fluid pump failed to early.