Used 2017 Honda Pilot Touring SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Honda Pilot Touring SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Honda Pilot Nightmare
Nicole M., Hayden, ID, 09/15/2018
2017 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
We purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot in December 2016 with the hope of buying a nice, reliable vehicle based on Honda's reputation. This SUV has been a nightmare. We started having service issues at approximately 10,000 miles which included the back up camera not working, the navigation system failing, a rear window leak that required multiple visits to the dealership, traction control … issues, and the most significant issue was the "Emissions System Problem". The emission issue resulted in numerous visits for repairs (sometimes reported as an oil change) when we brought the vehicle in and they would perform the regular maintenance in conjunction with the warranty work. After several visits associated with the emission issue, they replaced the catalytic converter and two gaskets, which did not resolve the issue. If the vehicle had not been under warranty this would have cost us approximately $800 to repair. About a week later the light was back on and they determined not all of the cylinders were properly functioning (keep in mind this has been a long running issue). At that time they replaced the injector set as well as some cylinders, which if not under warranty this would have totaled just over $2,000. As a working mom with three kids to drive to/from school and activities dealing with these issues has been a significant burden on our family. Our vehicle currently has about 30,000 miles and is still under warranty, but we are beyond concerned about the warranty expiring. We consulted legal counsel under the lemon law and also met with the General Manager Ken Snyder as CDA Honda is a local company and our preference is to get the reliable vehicle we thought we were purchasing. In our conversation he spoke highly of what Honda does to take care of their customers and really supports the local dealerships. Ken asked if "swapping out" the vehicle would work for us (that was my request under the lemon law); however, what he really meant was trade it in as we found out in the process when his staff sprang to life with the excitement of selling a new car. After all of the transportation hardships we have dealt with for the past year and a half, the thought of paying more money (for a vehicle that might function better) just seemed completely unreasonable. We received a letter from CDA Honda approximately a month ago indicating Honda was reviewing our case and have had zero follow up from Ken Snyder or anyone else at CDA Honda. When I inquired on the status I was informed it was with Honda and out of their control. The finger pointing began and it is particularly frustrating as a consumer when we are struck with a product that is not reliable. During the purchasing process we could have saved money by going to a larger dealership or purchasing one from Boise/Seattle, but we always want to support local businesses and keep money in our local economy (cash purchase). While everyone in the service department has been friendly, there has been no effort to proactively resolve this issue and we feel that it would be absolutely unconscionable to sell this vehicle (as a private party). Historically we have purchased new vehicles and have drove them for years. We currently have a Toyota with 130,000 miles that we use for family trips since our Honda Pilot with 30,000 hasn't been reliable and we are uncomfortable driving it too far from home.
Totally in love with our new Pilot!
Kendra, Aurora, OR, 02/27/2018
2017 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Proud new owners of a 2017 Honda Pilot Touring. We got a GREAT deal on this vehicle because they had a bunch of 2018s on the lot and wanted to clear out the few 2017s that were left. Brand new for thousands less? Yes please! We traded in a 2012 Ford Explorer Limited. I liked my Explorer ... I LOVE my Honda. The 9 speed transmission doesn't bother me like it bothers some other reviewers; … and I actually really like the side view camera. I originally had my heart set on a Toyota Highlander, but when we actually drove one I was very underwhelmed by it. Driving the Highlander I thought "meh. It's nice, but I don't HAVE to have it." It felt small inside, the third row was tiny, and it just didn't wow me like I thought it would. On a whim we decided to stop at the local Honda dealership on our way home just to take a look at the Pilots and maybe test drive one. I ended up falling in love with it as soon as I sat inside and we bought it that afternoon. It handles exceptionally well in snow and ice, even on our steep and often cumbersome driveway. I love the adaptive cruise, and I don't find the forward collision warning system overly sensitive as some other reviews have suggested. The Pilot is much roomier inside than both my Explorer and the Highlander we drove. I thought I wanted the Elite to get the middle row captain's chairs but then our salesman showed me the one-touch sliding seats and that sealed the deal. Our biggest issue was third row accessibility and the one-touch seat makes that so easy without sacrificing a seat. It even works with a car seat in place. Driving it is a dream; it feels very solid and sturdy. It corners very well and feels more like a car to me than a three row SUV. I love that it sits up a bit higher; this makes visibility better and also makes it handle better in the snow than my Explorer did. I was a loyal Honda and Acura owner for years before buying a Ford, and now that I am back in a Honda I wonder why I ever left. We are very happy with our choice and plan to keep this vehicle for many years!
Nice Ride!
Beth Kuzmich, Lake Luzerne, NY, 08/18/2017
2017 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
I LOVE my new Pilot! It is comfortable, quiet, and a nice ride. There is plenty of interior room, and head/leg room, even in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Good storage between two front seats. With the 60/40 3rd row split you can put different size cargo in and only give up minimal seating. The rear 'trunk' space is very limited, so I would suggest installing roof rack bars and investing … in a sturdy storage container. The climate control and entertainment options keep all rows of travelers happy too. Plenty of cupholders too. One of the issues I have experienced is a seriously over-sensitive front impact safety sense. It 'screams' BRAKE at you and shakes the steering wheel even when there is no chance for front impact (this is especially true when vehicle is taking a corner to the right and there is a car coming around the same curve on the opposite side). Can be very unnerving.
Less than 1000 miles
Mike Martin, Antioch, TN, 08/12/2017
2017 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
This is the first new car that I have purchased that I am thinking of trading after less than 1000 miles driven. I bought the Pilot AWD Touring package because Honda forces you into that package to get some of the options. I knew when I bought this SUV that I would hate the push button transmission and I do. It has too many gears and at times, especially at lower speeds, it seems to … get confused as to what gear it should be in. I can really feel it when I turn down into my subdivision and kind of coast. It seems to hunt for the right gear when you don't need to put your foot on the gas. The default setting for Honda's gas rating is to turn the engine off at stops. What a pain this is and I wonder what this will do in the long term to the starter and battery. You can defeat this, but you have to remember to push another button every time you push the drive button. Would be a great SUV if I could get over the transmission. Buyer's remorse, wish I had gone with the Highlander or bought the EX-L without all the options that I thought that I wanted. You don't really need all those options.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Honda Pilot Touring SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:A versatile, roomy interior with spacious rear seats
- Pro:Ride is smooth and compliant in most conditions
- Pro:Better fuel economy than rivals
- Pro:Multiple clever storage compartments
- Con:Nine-speed automatic transmission lacks refinement
- Con:Collision warning and adaptive cruise control are overly sensitive
- Con:Third-row access is narrow
- Con:Touchscreen interface isn't very intuitive
Which Pilot does Edmunds recommend?
Our recommendation for the Pilot is the EX-L trim level. It's a good balance of feature availability and price, but more importantly, it has the standard six-speed automatic transmission, which we prefer to the optional nine-speed transmission. The EX-L comes with plenty of features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a sunroof, a power tailgate, heated front seats and one-touch sliding second-row seats. And, if you're so inclined, you can add the available Honda Sensing package that includes features such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Honda Pilot SUV
Driving
3.0With ample power and respectable handling, the Pilot is among the athletes in the three-row SUV segment. It's a winner on mountain roads, easily gets up to speed, and can manage light towing and slippery surfaces with the optional all-wheel drive.
Comfort
4.5Given its above-average ride quality and seat comfort plus ample space in first and second rows, the Pilot is a very comfortable SUV. Ease of use is very high, too, which makes the Pilot a convenient and easy SUV to live with.
Interior
4.0The Pilot exhibits typical Honda efficiency and build quality. Use of space is very good with lots of storage. Practical features such as the easy-entry third row and flat load floor with the second and third rows lowered make a difference when hauling cargo and people.
Utility
4.0Though it can't tow as much as truck-based SUVs such as the Chevy Suburban, the Pilot is still an extremely utilitarian vehicle. Its large, well-thought-out interior proves extremely useful when you stuff it full of passengers or their gear.
Technology
Though some controls in the Pilot are reasonably intelligent and intuitive, the active safety features err on the side of caution and can be intrusive. Also, the lack of a volume knob is a frustrating omission that you have to deal with on a daily basis.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Honda Pilot in Ohio is:
not availableLegal