more about this model The 2017 Honda Pilot is a fully competitive large three-row crossover with many strengths and few weaknesses. Entering its second year of production for 2017, the current-generation Pilot has vaulted to a strong position among segment leaders, shedding the previous generation's also-ran status. Front- or all-wheel drive can be specified, with assertive V6 power standard across the lineup. If you're shopping for a three-row crossover in this class, the Honda Pilot is a must-drive.
The 2017 Pilot's cabin is an obvious strong point, highlighted by a sleek, modern dashboard and plenty of places to stash your stuff. An 8-inch touchscreen interface on all but the entry-level LX trim helps create a high-tech feel, although we're not huge fans of its functionality. There's plenty of room for passengers, too, whether you're in the spacious front row, the airy second row or the respectably accommodating third row, which can house adults better than most rivals.
Unprecedented luxury is offered in the Elite trim level, a new offering for this generation that takes the Pilot close to Acura levels of niceness. Highlights include a panoramic sunroof and second-row captain's chairs that are both heated and cooled. Happily, every Pilot except the LX is eligible for a suite of advanced safety features such as forward collision mitigation with automatic braking — another way in which the current Pilot stands out from earlier versions.
No matter which trim level you choose, you'll enjoy newfound isolation on the road because Honda has taken measures to suppress road and wind noise in the 2017 Pilot. We're not high on the available nine-speed automatic transmission, but if you stick with the base six-speed automatic, you'll be able to enjoy the strong 3.5-liter V6 engine without hiccups. That engine gets 30 additional horsepower for this generation, putting the Pilot among the segment leaders in terms of thrust. Handling is confidence-inspiring despite the Pilot's prodigious size, thanks to responsive steering and a palpable sense of stability at higher speeds.
The 2017 Honda Pilot's fuel economy depends on the model you choose, with the base LX achieving an EPA-rated 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway). All the trims range from 21 to 23 mpg combined.
Up and down the lineup, the 2017 Honda Pilot offers an impressive blend of features and value. Although the LX is quite basic, the EX leaps forward with a variety of desirable features. You can pile on more accoutrements by stepping up to the EX-L, Touring and Elite trims. Let Edmunds help find the perfect 2017 Honda Pilot for you.
2017 Honda Pilot Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Honda Pilot and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Pilot featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Honda Pilot and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Pilot 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Pilot.
Vehicle
Elite w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Review
We looked at the Tahoe, Armada and Highlander and the pilot won us over on its winning combination of performance, economy, advanced AWD system and value. We travel to Vermont often on narrow, private roads that are not always plowed well. Honda's i-VTM is really the Acura SH-AWD with torque vectoring. On dry roads it helps some, but it is also a winner in the deep snow, shifting power left to right as well as front to back as needed. Really great system. The cargo space in this rig is HUGE, especially with part or all of the 3rd row down. The cargo area is equivalent is size to the Tahoe and more usable as the load floor is lower. The acceleration is decent and I like the intake noise as the VTEC kicks in at higher revs. Without flogging it, I've seen high 20s for MPG on the highway. Overall, over the first 1500 miles, we've gotten 23 MPG combined. The 9 speed feels a bit weird around 4th or 5th gear but it isn't a big deal. The push button shifter took some getting use to, but after a day we were used to it and it wasn't a big deal. I really liked the looks of the Tahoe, but for the money (and even not considering the money), the Pilot is an unbeatable combo of utility, economy and performance.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Honda Pilot
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 Honda Pilot earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Honda Pilot 2017 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Trims: EX-L, EX, Touring w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System, Elite w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System, LX, EX-L w/Navigation, Touring w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment, EX-L w/Honda Sensing, Touring, EX-L w/Rear Entertainment System, SE, EX w/Honda Sensing, EX-L w/Rear Entertainment, Value Package, Special Edition
Exterior Colors: Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, White Diamond Pearl, Dark Cherry Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Steel Sapphire Metallic, Taffeta White, Billet Silver Metallic, Black Forest Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Dark Amber Metallic, Nimbus Gray Metallic, Steel Blue Metallic, Bali Blue Pearl, Formal Black, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Starlight Silver Metallic, Mocha Metallic, Amazon Green Metallic, Desert Rock Metallic, Aberdeen Green Metallic, Nimbus Grey Metallic, Sage Brush Pearl, Formal Black II, Redrock Pearl, Dark Cherry Pearl II, Midnight Blue Metallic, Havasu Blue Metallic, Sterling Grey Metallic, Sandstone Metallic
Interior Colors: Gray leather, Black leather, Gray cloth, Beige leather, Beige cloth, Gray, Black cloth, Grey cloth, Saddle cloth, Saddle, Blue cloth, Olive cloth
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Third-row seating, Tire Pressure Warning, Stability Control, Auto Climate Control, Alarm, Power Driver Seat, AWD/4WD, Aux Audio Inputs, Trip Computer, Back-up camera, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Bluetooth, Sunroof/Moonroof, Leather Seats, Heated seats, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Keyless Entry/Start, Remote Start, 3500lb Towing Capacity, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Navigation, Rear Entertainment System, Towing Hitch, Parking sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, USB Inputs, 2nd Row Bucket Seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, Cooled Seats, Upgraded Headlights
Engine/Mechanics: 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, four wheel drive, front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
