At its debut, the Honda Pilot essentially defined the emerging market for midsize crossover SUVs. Offering decent V6 power, above-average fuel economy, easy maneuverability, plenty of interior comfort and versatility, and seven-to-eight-passenger seating, the Pilot was exactly the kind of vehicle that families leery of the minivan stigma were looking for.
Of course, a lot more crossover SUVs have come out since the original Honda Pilot. Honda responded with a full redesign, and we've found the second-generation Pilot to be a little off the mark. It no longer offers a smorgasbord of strengths in this increasingly competitive segment. But a used example of the original Honda Pilot is one midsize crossover you'll definitely want to look at.
Current Honda Pilot
The current Honda Pilot is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Third-row seating accommodations are respectable for adults, and its boxy shape and maximum cargo capacity of 87 cubic feet mean that the Pilot can handle just about anything the average family can cram into it.
All Pilots are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only available transmission. The LX comes with a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories and a seven-speaker sound system. The EX adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a power driver seat, Bluetooth, tri-zone automatic climate control and satellite radio. The EX-L upgrades include a sunroof, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an iPod/USB audio interface and a back-up camera. The high-end Touring model includes a 10-speaker audio system, a rear entertainment system and a navigation system (optional on the EX-L).
In reviews, we've found that the latest Honda Pilot offers a comfortable ride as well as plenty of adult-friendly interior room. In addition to the generous amount of cargo space, the Pilot also has a lot of thoughtful storage areas for smaller items. High fuel economy is another Pilot advantage. On the downside, the Pilot lacks giddy-up compared to its more powerful rivals. But overall the Pilot is a solid choice for a large crossover SUV.
Used Honda Pilot Models
The current, second-generation Honda Pilot debuted for the 2009 model year and ran for the next two years essentially unchanged. These Pilots are pretty similar to today's version, though we didn't think as highly of them as we do of the current model. Notably, these 2009-'11 Pilots suffered from poor braking performance, unremarkable fuel economy and a dashboard control layout that many people found confusing. As such, we would advise shoppers considering this generation to focus on the 2012 model.
The first-generation Pilot was introduced for the 2003 model year, making this Honda one of the first midsize crossover SUVs available with a third-row seat. A 240-hp 3.5-liter V6, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission, was always the only available power source. From 2003-'05, all Pilots sold were all-wheel drive; a front-drive version was offered alongside AWD after that.
Honda originally offered the Pilot in three trim levels: LX, EX and EX-L. The Pilot LX came with a respectable collection of convenience features, while the EX added upgrades like a power driver seat and automatic climate control. The EX-L had leather seating and could be ordered with an optional navigation system or rear-seat entertainment system. Alas, the nav and entertainment systems couldn't be ordered together.
Changes for this generation Pilot were minor, though some important safety features became more readily available as the years went on. For 2005, the V6 was revised, and horsepower increased to 255. This was also the year that stability control became available, but only on the EX-L.
In 2006, some minor changes were made to the Honda Pilot's exterior design. The adoption of revised SAE certification procedures also saw this model year's horsepower rating dropped to 244, but performance was unaffected. ABS and front-seat side airbags were always standard on Honda's midsize SUV, but 2006 models gained a three-row side curtain airbag system with a rollover sensor. Honda also made stability control standard on all Pilots for this model year. For the final model year, the LX trim was replaced by the Value Package, and a new SE trim debuted that slotted above the EX and added a sunroof and DVD player.
In reviews, we found the original Honda Pilot to offer good handling and a smooth ride for a midsize SUV. We also enjoyed its well-organized instrumentation and the quality of interior materials -- both hallmarks of Honda. Although seating accommodated seven to eight passengers, we considered the third row uncomfortable for adults. Cargo capacity, on the other hand, was always sufficient to handle what most families required.
