2005 Honda Pilot Review

Name: 2005 Honda Pilot Review
Brand: Honda
Rating: 4.7 (396 reviews)

Price: $3,995

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Roomy interior with eight-passenger seating, versatile storage and cargo-hauling abilities, many standard features, comfortable ride, smooth power delivery.

Cons

Mediocre towing capacity, side curtain airbags not available, feels big behind the wheel.

What’s new

The 2005 Honda Pilot receives a new 255-hp engine, along with numerous functional changes. A tire-pressure monitoring system has been added, and EX models with leather get vehicle stability control. Slightly increased fuel capacity helps extend driving range, and a revised power steering pump provides improved on-center steering feel. Inside the cabin, the instrument panel has been tweaked with ambient lighting and a six-disc CD changer for all EX trims. A driver footrest has been added, and leather-upholstered EX models can now be had with a sunroof. The LX now has standard keyless entry, and all models get an integrated remote key and fob. Honda has made slight frame changes this year that resulted in improved IIHS crash test ratings.

Edmunds says

One of the best crossover SUVs available, the 2005 Honda Pilot is an excellent choice for large, active families in need of versatility.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Honda Pilot LX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$227/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Honda Pilot.

5 (78%)

4 (17%)

3 (3%)

2 (1%)

1 (1%)

4.7

396 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

I love my Pilot, even at 187,000 miles!

hampton6410, 08/20/2012

2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD 4dr SUV w/Leather, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

We bought our Pilot used in 2009 and now even at 187,000 miles it still drives just as good. We have not had any major issues and only do the Honda recommended maintenance. We do change the oil at 3000 mile intervals, not 5,000. The Pilot has been a great car overall. The only thing that I wish was better was the gas mileage. We have also owned two CRV's and currently own a 2005 Accord, …

10 year old Honda Pilot...strong vehicle.

Chris Williamson, 06/16/2016

2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

I've always wanted an SUV. Dreamt of driving a Ford Explorer. Then I came across this Honda Pilot at the dealership's used lot. It had one adult owner and meticulous records, taken in for oil changes, maintenance, and repair like clockwork. So it was in great condition and it showed. I've now been driving it for a few months and I love it! It has 3 rows of seats in case I need to haul …

Great even after 250k miles!

Luke E., 01/31/2019

2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD 4dr SUV w/Leather, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Perhaps the number one problem consumers have with this car (based on reviews and word-of-mouth) is that the radiators fail. This is common for this year of Pilot in particular, and involves the intra-radiator transmission cooler fittings failing and mixing fluids. Antifreeze is really horrible on automatic transmission clutch packs and burns them out quickly (when, not if), leaving you …

Powerfull fun car!

Pilotman08, 03/01/2017

2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

My 2005 pilot has 205,500 miles on it currently sitting. We take it all over Colorado. I am a college student with a 2 hour commute each day and this car just makes it so enjoyable. The ride is excellent. It’s very smooth (luxury car smooth) and it’s got a weighty feel to the ride making it feel very secure and planted on the road. Road and wind noise is pretty good in terms of being … quiet, but it could be a little better. Steering is moderately heavy not super light or too heavy, adds to the planted feel. Braking is not the best given it’s 4500 pounds, so be prepared to replace brake pads quite often along with tires. The engine is probably the best part of the driving experience, it’s got a ton of character. Driving the pilot around town, it’s got a strong acceleration feel off the line and the gas pedal is a little too sensitive at first (easy to get used to) so it feels quite fast. Easy to beat people from a red light to merge or change lanes. Floor it and the engine sounds way to good after you cross vtec. People say the engine lacks low end torque, but I think this car has lots of torque. Floor it from a stop and the steering wheel jerks to the right (and it’s 4wd), it’s just a side effect of a really really peppy engine. Mine at 204k beat my friends 2004 cayenne v6 in a race time and time again, so it’s saying something there (even though the v6 cayennes are basically a v6 Touareg). Highway merging and passing are extremely easy with this engine and confidence inspiring. Visibility both forward backwards and also out the sides is excellent and confidence inspiring. Interior is free of rattles or creaks and each and every part is still fit in place like it’s new. No scratches on any interior panel either. Seats look brand new and are sort of firm, but extremely supportive And way to comfy (excellent bolstering and grip). It makes me sleepy sometimes lol. Interior is all hard plastic minus where you keep your elbows, but the plastic doesn’t feel cheap and hollow, and the interior feels quite nice for the price. In the 200k+ miles that I’ve owned this car, the only issues were the ac going out at 130k and replacing brake pads and tires way to often. Recently my motor mount wore off but that’s just going to happen on each and every car. Transmission is still holding up as we speak and I continue to beat the crap out of this car (random full throttle accelerations, racing friends, fast turns, and hard braking) so it’s probably the reason why my tires and brakes wear out so often, but this drivetrain was meant to be beat on! The car loves to rev and the engine and transmission are holding up extremely well for my style of driving (I give it 25% throttle at every stop light) for the last 4 years. Oh forgot to mention that the cargo room is absolutely massive. With the third row seats up it’s a little tight and the third row itself is cramped and best suited for small adults or kids but with the seats down and even the second row seats down you can practically sleep in it without your feet touching the tailgate. I RECOMMEND THIS CAR HIGHLY FOR ANYONE WHOS LOOKING FOR A DECENTLY FUN TO DRIVE, COMFORTABLE, AND PRACTICAL CAR THATS EXTREMELY RELIABLE AND WITH A VERY PEPPY ENGINE

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2005 Pilot Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$27,550
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$227/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the Pilot include:

Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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2005 Honda Pilot Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Honda Pilot LX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Most helpful consumer reviews

I love my Pilot, even at 187,000 miles!

10 year old Honda Pilot...strong vehicle.

Great even after 250k miles!

Powerfull fun car!

2005 Pilot Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Honda Pilot LX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}