Reviewed byMark HolthoffMark Holthoff
Overview
The three-row Pilot is Honda's largest SUV, measuring some 6 inches longer than the next size down, the two-row Honda Passport. That extra space lets the Pilot carry up to eight passengers in its well-appointed cabin. While the third row might feel cramped for larger occupants, the rest of the interior offers generous room and abundant storage, including an underfloor compartment in the cargo area. Rivals such as the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-9 provide a more luxurious interior, but what the Pilot lacks in style, it makes up in comfort and practicality. Under the hood, Honda's smooth V6 engine delivers strong acceleration via a nine-speed automatic transmission. It even outhustles the higher horsepower Toyota Highlander. But you won't mistake the Pilot for a sports car. It's tuned for a relaxed and quiet ride, which is exactly what most three-row SUV buyers want.
Positives
Roomy cabin. Standard V6 power. Commanding view of the road.
Considerations
Priciest trims lack a premium feel. Looks like a minivan. Clunky infotainment interface.
Verdict
The Honda Pilot might not be the flashiest or most luxurious three-row SUV, but its athletic acceleration, spacious interior, and everyday livability make it a great all-round family hauler.
What's New for2022
For 2022, Honda drops the Pilot's two lowest trim levels, LX and EX. That makes the well-equipped EX-L the least expensive offering. Honda says a new entry-level trim will appear later this year.
Trims and Pricing
Honda builds the Pilot in five trim levels: EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. Since stand-alone option packages aren't offered, select a trim level with the features you want. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on the EX-L, Special Edition, and Touring, and it comes standard on the Elite and Black Edition. The EX-L is popular, and we recommend it for its value.
EX-L
For the best value we recommend the Pilot EX-L, which starts at $40,285 (including a $1,225 delivery fee). It comes with a generous set of standard equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, fog lamps, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, a power liftgate, proximity keyless entry, and remote engine start. Inside the cabin, there's leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, driver's seat memory, tri-zone climate control, a power moonroof, a leather steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a seven-speaker audio system with an 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.
Special Edition
If you really want to stand out, the Pilot Special Edition ($40,885) furnishes the EX-L with 20-inch black wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, roof rails, wireless phone charging, and trim for an additional $600. Above the Special Edition, trim prices ramp up quickly.
Touring
The Pilot Touring, which starts at $44,845, adds navigation, a 590-watt premium audio system, heated first and second rows, a rear entertainment system, and front and rear parking sensors. The Touring is available with second-row captain's chairs for an additional $300.
Elite
The Elite offers the most equipment, and pricing begins at $50,345. Both the Elite and the Black Edition have the seven-seat configuration with captain's chairs, power-folding side mirrors, a panoramic moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Black Edition
The Black Edition ($51,845) has the same equipment as the Elite and comes with exclusive black trim accents as well as red ambient LED lighting and black alloy wheels. Both the Elite and Black Edition top $50K, although they come standard with all-wheel drive, which is a $2,000 option on the lower trim levels. The Volkswagen Atlas R-Line is one of the few competitors in the segment that tops $50K.
Engine and Performance
The Pilot's standard 280-horsepower V6 might not match some of its competitors on paper, but its performance is outstanding on the street. Acceleration is strong in any situation. And when full power is not in demand, the engine is quiet and unobtrusive. The nine-speed transmission isn't as quick to change gears as the Hyundai Palisade, but it's predictable and smooth. Along curvy roads, the Pilot isn't the least bit sporty. Sure, it's stable, but it feels big and slow to react. The Mazda CX-9 is a better choice for a responsive, nimble feel. To its credit, the Pilot's suspension does a great job of soaking up rough roads, and the brakes are capable of bringing it to a quick stop, even with an entire family on board. Light steering makes it easy to maneuver at low speeds. Plus, it can tow up to 5,000 lbs.
Fuel Economy
Fuel efficiency has long been a selling point for Honda, and the Pilot is no different. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the front-wheel-drive model at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. In combined city and highway driving, the Pilot is rated at 23 mpg, on par with the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. All-wheel-drive models are rated one notch lower at 19/26 mpg city/highway. The Ford Explorer delivers slightly higher numbers when equipped with the base four-cylinder engine, but it doesn't match the Pilot's straight-line performance.
Interior
With excellent outward visibility and a high seating position, the Pilot feels like a proper SUV. Its spacious driver's seat and ample passenger and cargo room further back that up. The front seats accommodate a wide range of body types, and you can select captain's chairs for the second row if you don't need a bench seat to accommodate a third passenger.
Controls are well placed, and durable materials will withstand a family's regular use. Newer competitors, such as the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, have more stylish cabin designs, but the Pilot's simplicity adds a measure of instant familiarity. As with most competitors, the third-row seats aren't the most comfortable, but no one will complain about the second-row accommodations. Cargo room is about average for the class with 16.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row and handy underfloor storage for stashing things out of sight. Fold the second row flat, and that number expands to 46 cubic feet. If cargo capacity is a priority, competitors such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas top the Pilot in this area.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Pilot trims get an 8-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. It's a good but not great system, with dated graphics and response times that lag behind the top systems found in the Hyundai Palisade and Dodge Durango. Navigation and Wi-Fi capability are on the options list, but only at the Touring trim and above (which start well over $40K). On the plus side, the Pilot's standard audio system features six speakers plus a subwoofer that delivers solid sound. Touring models and above get an upgraded 10-speaker system with considerably more power and an in-car PA system for chatting with third-row passengers without shouting.
Safety
All Honda Pilot SUVs come with Honda Sensing, a package that includes several active safety systems. It's a big reason why the Pilot earns a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet tested the 2022 Pilot, but last year's model received top scores in five out of six crash-test categories. The Pilot's standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic detection.
Honda Pilot vs. theCompetition
With room for up to eight passengers, a smooth and quiet ride, and solid fuel economy, the Honda Pilot delivers exactly what you would expect from a midsize SUV. It's not at all flashy or luxurious, yet the Pilot performs daily chores without complaint and is a solid choice in the segment. The Pilot's standard V6 is a strong engine, but if you prefer something with more punch consider the Ford Explorer ST or the V8-powered Dodge Durango. If fuel economy is a priority, it's hard to beat the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and its 35-mpg rating. For all-out value, the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade offer many of the same features found in the Pilot at a lower price.
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Honda Pilot vs. Hyundai Palisade
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