Used 2017 Honda Pilot EX-L SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Honda Pilot EX-L SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Excellent, but not exciting.
Returning Honda Owner, Fairport, NY, 03/03/2017
2017 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Honda Sensing (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
What Honda does well is create vehicles that are solid and dependable, but not necessarily fun to drive, with certain exceptions. I have a 2017 Pilot EX-L and it has a very nice interior that has many features and comforts which add to a smooth driving experience. It is very spacious, both for passengers and cargo and has a lot of safety measures and technology that are on par with … anything in its class. On the highway, this car is as smooth as can be. My only two complaints are the following: It isn't terribly interesting to drive. I just lost a 2006 Jeep Commander that drove like a car and hugged the road. The Pilot feels "safe" and almost boring to drive. I felt that the Toyota Highlander handled better, but I went with the Pilot because of other things that beat out Toyota. It handles more like a van than an SUV and I feel that the driving "experience" is less than exciting. It's fine and it drives nicely, but I want a little more engagement. The second complaint is that the touchscreen is not terribly intuitive, which is not only annoying, but is distracting to use while driving. Yes, some of the controls are also on the steering wheel, which helps, but even for the passenger, the screen isn't the easiest (although I hear it is an improvement over the last model). There is no volume button or dial and therefore you have to locate the touch volume and tap it repeatedly to change the volume. There is no need for that, as a dial is far easier to use while driving. Technology should make things simpler, not more difficult. I have a 2010 Audi A4 with outdated technology, but it is much easier to use. Those two things aside, the car is very comfortable and grows on me the more I drive it. The traction in snow is excellent, as is braking and it is a very well made vehicle. If Honda could add a little more excitement to the car, it would really increase the overall enjoyment. The Pilot isn't fun by any means, but it is a solid vehicle with a great reputation and it will serve you well. No regrets, thus far.
Solid family car for when a minivan won't do
Chris Glazner, Winthrop, MA, 03/15/2017
2017 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Honda Sensing (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
With my growing family and constant trips to a mountain cabin, we needed more space that we had in our old Forester, but couldn't give up solid AWD and high clearance to make it. The Pilot does this well--good power, clearance, and traction, with a ton of room. It's a larger vehicle, though, so if you put things on your roof, you'll need to be tall or carry a step stool, since there … are not good external steps. I'm not a fan of the roof rails for attachments, as it means I can't reuse my older Thule setup. Finally, I'm not crazy with the entertainment system--it can be easy to get lost in different contexts. For example, switching from listening to the radio to Spotify is a multistep process that can take some getting used to.
love my Honda Pilot
Maria, Melbourne, FL, 01/13/2018
2017 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Honda Sensing (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
roomy and 3rd row fits 2 teenage sons with long legs
Driver Seat Issue
Carol K, Arlington, TN, 02/21/2019
2017 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Honda Sensing (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
I have had my 2017 Pilot EXL for three weeks now and so far I am very pleased. I bought the car with 28000 miles and it from a Toyota dealer and it seemed to be well maintained. My issue is with the driver’s front seat. It is black leather and looks like new. But, when I am driving down the highway, I feel like I am falling to the left. To me, this is a defect of n the construction of … the chair. The Honda dealer keeps insisting that they can’t see it, it might be “wear”, etc. Well it’s still under the manufacturer “Bumper to Bumper” warranty, so I think it should be replaced. Anyone else having this problem? Any suggestions? I’d like to give it 5 stars but this needs to be addressed.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Honda Pilot EX-L 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