2019 Honda Pilot Review
2019 Honda Pilot Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi
Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
- A versatile, roomy interior with spacious rear seats
- Ride is smooth and compliant in most conditions
- Better fuel economy than rivals
- Multiple clever storage compartments
Cons
- Collision warning and adaptive cruise control are overly sensitive
- Third-row access is narrow
- Nine-speed transmission is improved, but still not as smooth as the six-speed
What's new
- For 2019, the Honda Pilot gets a minor styling update
- Smoother-shifting nine-speed transmission
- The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features is now standard for all trims
- New tech features, including a revised infotainment touchscreen
- Part of the third Pilot generation introduced for 2016
There were already a lot of things we liked about last year's Honda Pilot. Even among its all-star midsize SUV rivals, the Pilot got high marks for its spacious interior, powerful and efficient V6 engine, and clever storage solutions. Our only significant gripes concerned the unrefined nature of the gear shifts coming from the available nine-speed transmission and the unintuitive touchscreen infotainment system. Well, now we don't even have those to complain about.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) 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 $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$197/mo for Pilot LX
Pilot LX
vs
$210/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
For 2019, Honda has retuned the nine-speed, eliminating much of the low-speed stutters and jerkiness that it used to exhibit. It's still not as smooth as the six-speed transmission found on the less expensive trim levels, but it's considerably better than last year. The infotainment system's user interface has also been updated. It's more intuitive to use this year and has a physical volume knob that replaces the previous touch-sensitive volume slider. Rounding out the 2019 Honda Pilot's changes are new tech features, added standard safety features and styling enhancements.
Considering that the Pilot was one of the highest rated in the class before these improvements, we're certain that we'll like it even more now. We're sure you will, too. In a segment that includes the very desirable Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas, it could very well be the best when it comes to a family-friendly choice. The Pilot definitely deserves a spot on your short list.
Notably, we picked the 2019 Honda Pilot as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize SUVs, Best Family SUVs, and Best Gas Mileage SUVs for this year.
What's it like to live with?
With a spacious cabin, exceptional comfort and a tremendously roomy cabin, the Honda Pilot is the quintessential three-row crossover. As soon as we got behind the wheel of this newest model, our editors universally agreed: The Pilot was the best of the bunch. We immediately reached out to Honda and secured a fully loaded Elite model for our long-term test fleet. Over the course of a year and 25,000 miles, we drove our Black Forest green tester to Las Vegas, Sacramento and Oregon. Usually, it performed the commuting duties typical of a family-friendly SUV. To read about our experiences, read our long-term Pilot test. Note that while we tested a 2016 Pilot, most of our observations still apply to the 2019 model. The only exceptions deal with the infotainment and transmission improvements Honda made for this year.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
8.2 / 10The 2019 Honda Pilot is a great pick for a three-row crossover SUV. It has a potent yet efficient V6 engine, a comfortable ride, numerous standard advanced safety features, and smart storage solutions. It gets our nod as one of the most family-friendly vehicles out there.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Honda Pilot Elite (3.5L V6 | 9-speed automatic | AWD).
Scorecard
Overall | 8.2 / 10 |
Driving | 7.5 |
Comfort | 9.0 |
Interior | 8.0 |
Utility | 8.5 |
Technology | 8.0 |
Driving
7.5With ample power, a transmission offering full manual control and respectable handling, the Pilot is an athlete in the three-row SUV segment. It's a champ on mountain roads, and it can manage slippery surfaces should you opt for all-wheel drive.
Acceleration
8.5The Pilot isn't underpowered, but you'll really have to step on the gas to make it move quickly. In Edmunds performance testing, it did 0-60 mph in 7 seconds, which is quicker than both the Subaru Ascent and the Volkswagen Atlas. At full throttle, it shifts quickly and efficiently. You can also use the steering wheel paddles for manual control.
Braking
7.0The brakes have a relatively consistent feel and are easy to use in everyday driving. The Pilot's panic-stopping distance from 60 mph (129 feet in our testing) is average for a big three-row crossover SUV.
Steering
7.5The steering is relatively precise, but the wheel doesn't provide much road feel. Overall, the Pilot is easy to maneuver along winding mountain roads or cruising the highway.
Handling
8.0No three-row SUV is light on its feet, but the Pilot feels lighter than most. It swaps lanes confidently, and its stability control remains at bay during moderately fast driving on back roads. Overall, handling is above average for the segment.
Drivability
7.5The Pilot's previous issues regarding its transmission have been alleviated. It's a little less punchy off the line — possibly due to acceleration recalibration — but it's a good trade-off for the improved shifting smoothness. The engine still has great top-end punch, and the stop-start system, which can be turned off, is relatively non-intrusive.
Off-road
7.0The Pilot's AWD system offers active center and rear differentials capable of distributing torque where it's most needed. You also get multiple modes for sand, snow and mud. For slippery surfaces, it's fine. But the body's approach and departure angles aren't as generous as its closest competitors, and the Pilot doesn't have specific off-road aids such as hill descent control.
Comfort
9.0The Honda Pilot does comfort better than most in the segment. Consider its excellent ride quality, ultra comfy seats and easy-to-operate tri-zone climate control. Tire and wind noise is also minimal.
Seat comfort
8.5The front seats are wide, with compliant but supportive cushioning. They provide hours of comfort. The front seats' adjustable inboard armrests are a bonus, as is power lumbar support. The second-row seats also provide a nice amount of comfort and can slide and recline.
Ride comfort
9.0Body motions are well-controlled but not at the sacrifice of ride comfort. You'll feel big road bumps, but smaller bumps and ripples are dispatched without issue. Overall, the Pilot's ride quality is among the best in the segment.
Noise & vibration
8.5Tire and wind noise is low for this segment. We didn't observe any unusual sounds, and the V6 engine emits a pleasant snarl at high rpm. Passengers are isolated from the outside elements to an impressive degree.
Climate control
9.0The tri-zone climate control is easy to set and adjust. The system maintains temperatures well, and the front-seat heating and cooling functions stay set even if you turn the Pilot off. Second-row occupants have their own set of climate control buttons plus available seat heaters. Honda did a nice job here.
Interior
8.0The Pilot exhibits Honda's typical efficiency of space and practical features. The driving position is a bit upright, so you never feel ensconced in the cabin, but that's usually what SUV buyers are looking for. Visibility is also quite good.
Ease of use
7.5The new touchscreen infotainment system is a huge improvement over the Pilot's previous system (found in 2016-2018 Pilots). It's easy to use and has crisp-looking graphics. The push-button shifter still takes some getting used to, but we have warmed up to the logic behind it.
Getting in/getting out
7.5The large doors and a comfortable seat height make it easy to enter and exit the Pilot. Third-row access is enhanced with a single-button release for the tilt-and-slide second-row seat, but the pass-through space is smallish.
Driving position
8.0There's plenty of adjustment for the driver's seat, but the seat is pretty upright at its lowest setting. Taller drivers may also wish for a tad more telescoping range of the steering wheel. Otherwise, most people should be able to find a comfortable driving position.
Roominess
8.5The first and second rows are very roomy and have enough head-, legroom and elbow room for all but the biggest occupants. Third-row seating is tighter and has a low-mounted seat. It's more spacious than some competitors, but it's not as cavernous as the Volkswagen Atlas' third row.
Visibility
7.5Front- and rear-quarter visibility is average, but the upright seating gives you a better view than you'll get in an Odyssey. The multiview backup camera is handy but not as good as a 360-degree system, like some competitors offer. Front and rear parking sensors help reveal obstacles you might otherwise miss.
Quality
8.5The quality of materials and assembly is high for a non-luxury vehicle but not substantially better than the quality of competitors. Soft-touch plastics on the dash, combined with high-gloss trim and matte-finish secondary controls, look and feel good. The new infotainment system helps elevate the interior's premium look, too.
Utility
8.5The Pilot is a utilitarian vehicle even though it can't tow as much as large truck-based SUVs. Its roomy, well-thought-out interior proves extremely useful when you stuff it full of passengers and their gear.
Small-item storage
9.5Honda has mastered the art of interior storage. The Pilot has plenty of door pockets and cupholders, and there is clever, configurable small-item storage within the center console.
Cargo space
7.5Despite its seemingly generous cargo area, the Pilot trails the midsize segment leaders with 16 cubic feet behind the third row and a max volume of about 84 cubes with the second and third rows folded perfectly flat. That includes the storage under the rear load floor. Still, the space is very usable.
Child safety seat accommodation
8.0There's a nice amount of space for car seat installations in the second row and easy access to the LATCH anchors. The rear tethers are on the bottom of the second-row seats, which are easy to miss if you don't know where to look. The one-button slide access to the third row helps facilitate seat installation back there.
Towing
8.0At 5,000 pounds, the AWD Pilot's maximum towing capacity matches that of most V6-powered, three-row SUVs. Front-wheel-drive Pilots are limited to 3,500 pounds.
Technology
8.0The Pilot's infotainment touchscreen is a big step forward from the previous system. Plus, there are a bunch of clever apps that use the onboard Wi-Fi connection, which will surely make road trips with friends or family more enjoyable. We know Honda is capable of a decent adaptive cruise system, but it has yet to find its way into the Pilot.
Audio & navigation
8.0The navigation responds quickly to inputs and is very easy to use thanks to pinch-to-zoom features, easy map rotation, and different types of viewing modes. The premium audio system, which is featured on Touring trims and up, sounds great. It allows for some pretty flexible sound adjustments and fills the cabin space very well.
Smartphone integration
9.0There are two USB ports in the front center bin — one is for data and one is charge-only — alongside two 12-volt power outlets. Second-row passengers get an additional two charge-only USB ports in the second row, a 115-volt household-style outlet and HDMI hookup for the entertainment system. We highly recommend stepping up to at least the EX, which gets you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Honda's CabinControl app allows users to connect to the in-cabin Wi-Fi and control things such as the rear cabin temperature, add songs to a social playlist, and even send directions to the driver's navigation system.
Driver aids
7.0Adaptive cruise control only works above 20 mph, which is a bummer for drivers stuck in stop-and-go traffic. Overall, the Pilot's adaptive cruise control system isn't nearly as smooth as similar features in other cars. Otherwise, all the other systems such as lane keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring work well. Its lane keeping feature, however, can be very intrusive in long, constant-radius corners.
Voice control
7.5Voice controls provide easy-to-follow prompts and work very well. The nav system found the Edmunds headquarters on the first try, and it was very easy to engage. The voice functions are basic, not offering anything special such as the ability to change the climate control, but are highly functional. You can access Siri or Google through the cabin voice control button when your smartphone is plugged in.
Which Pilot does Edmunds recommend?
With more standard features than before, the EX is the definite value play. You get a lot of useful features, including keyless access and ignition, heated front seats, one-touch slide-and-fold second-row seats, and pretty much the same infotainment system and safety features that all the more expensive trims have. It doesn't have a power liftgate, however. For that, you'll need to upgrade to at least the EX-L.
2019 Honda Pilot models
The eight-passenger 2019 Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV that is offered in five primary trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite. All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (280 horsepower, 262 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed automatic transmission is standard for most trims, while a nine-speed transmission comes with Touring and Elite models. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available for all models (standard on Elite).
Standard features for the LX include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, active noise cancellation, air conditioning, 60/40-split folding third-row seats, a multi-angle rearview camera, a 5-inch touchscreen and seven-speaker audio system with USB/auxiliary inputs. Standard advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warning with automatic braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist and automatic high-beam assist.
The EX adds LED foglights, heated mirrors, remote ignition, keyless entry, a terrain management system, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, one-touch slide-and-fold second-row seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, HondaLink and CabinControl smartphone integration, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
Stepping up to the EX-L trim gets you a sunroof, a power liftgate, a universal garage door opener, rear-seat window sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and second-row USB charging ports. There's also an EX-L subtrim that adds a navigation system and a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen with HDMI input, Blu-ray player and streaming apps. You also gain a 110-volt power outlet and intercom system through the rear headsets.
The Touring trim gets all of the above plus 20-inch wheels, roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, hands-free operation for the liftgate, heated rear seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system and multi-zone audio. Heated second-row captain's chairs are available (reducing seating capacity to seven).
The Elite trim comes standard with the captain's chairs, as well as automatic wipers, power-folding mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a wireless charging pad.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Honda Pilot.
5 star(46%)
4 star(10%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(20%)
148 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
2 out of 5 stars
Radio and entertainment issues
JessRN13 , 09/26/2019
2019 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
I purchased the 2019 elite pilot after being a previous Accord owner for the past 13 years. This elite Pilot has given me the biggest headache of any vehicle I’ve ever owned. Basically the radio and any type of entertainment will cut off and suddenly stop working. The radio, the usb, the Bluetooth, the apple/android play, the dvd audio WILL NOT WORK. It just gives you an error message … that says “audio not available”. I have taken it to the dealership where they say it needs a “hard reset” but this problem still continues to happen. It’s very frustrating and there’s nothing being done that solves this problem. So basically I’m stuck with a brand new 50k defective vehicle. Nice job Honda.
5 out of 5 stars
Smooth quiet ride with plenty of pep
George Snyder, 09/04/2018
2019 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
I like the Honda sensing feature, which is standard in the 2019 models. The side mirror interior lights are much nicer than the other manufacturer exterior orange lights. The 280 HP with the 6-speed transmissions has good smooth acceleration. Fits 8 people reasonably comfortable, wish they had an option for back bucket seats (7 seat) - but no such luck. The 2019 has mostly cosmetic … changes, more significate are the LED headlights and larger rear center antenna - for FM/satellite reception. The 2019 is basically the same price at the 2017 models with the same features, so that is a pretty good deal.
5 out of 5 stars
Honda Pilot LX Great Value SUV
Kurt Bender, 04/13/2019
2019 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
The 2019 Pilot LX is the lowest priced Pilot in Honda’s showroom. It has all most people need and some extras that people want. The great standard safety systems and adaptive cruise control work pretty good and the automatic emergency braking saved my bacon when I failed to see a car locking it’s brakes on the freeway. The LX has plenty of power and a smooth controlled ride. The gas … mileage is good for a fairly big CUV/SUV. It has great climate controls that are easy to use and all three rows have air vents. It has a big roll top bin with great storage in between the front seats and a smallish lighted glovebox. The front seats adjust manually with a ratchet type plastic lever. The recline is adjustable with many positions using the side lever. All adjustments are very easy and work well. All seats fold easily with a lift up plastic lever. This includes the second and third row seats. (The Pilot LX does not have the one touch button. It has an easy to use one lift up lever.) The storage is fantastic with plenty of room for people and stuff. The base radio with standard Bluetooth works great and it sounds super as well. There is no XM radio, but I play it from my phone via Bluetooth. The interior lighting is not the greatest, but for a few bucks, change the bulbs to LED and you’ll light up the interior. The standard Bridgestone tires are okay, and the interior and exterior are well built. I highly recommend this CUV/SUV over other models from VW and Subaru. The Pilot LX is a great choice for families on a budget that want the room and comfort that the LX provides without spending $48,000 for the Honda Pilot Elite.
5 out of 5 stars
1 month in
Francisco, 09/26/2018
2019 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
1 month in and we are loving the new pilot. The cosmetic upgrades on the 2019 Touring really make it pop including the new taillights, new bumper design, the new rims which look nicer in person than online, and the chrome accents. The ride is comfortable. The features are very nice, just make sure to take some time and read through the owners manual in order to figure it all out. The … trunk space is big enough for anything we need when you put the third row down. The LED headlights are fantastic. My wife always had trouble driving at night, but not anymore with the pilot as the LEDs light up the road very well. Android auto was a bit of a pain it keeps trying to open on our phones even when we do not want to use it so we ended up disabling it. The touchless liftgate takes some getting use to, but it works well once you figure it out. Overall the Pilot touring has been a fantastic vehicle for our family. The only things we added to it were splash guards and body side molding. My biggest gripe is that my wife wants to drive everywhere now so I have to get accustomed to being a passenger...
2019 Honda Pilot video
[MUSIC PLAYING] ELANA SCHERR: Got a big family? Not ready for the minivan life? You're probably already looking at the 2019 Honda Pilot. The Pilot is one of Edmunds' top-rated three row midsize SUVs, and it's one of the most-searched vehicles at edmunds.com. Can a big family SUV be both useful and fun? We aim to find out. Ooh, but first, subscribe and visit Edmunds for all your SUV shopping needs. The Pilot is a nice looking machine. It's not too blobby. It's not too square. There are a few updates for 2019, primarily in the LED headlights, which look sleek, and in the tail lights, which look oddly incomplete. This is the top trim for the Pilot-- the nearly $50,000 Elite. It's heavily loaded with options, including 20-inch wheels. Snazzy. Just in case you're watching this Honda Pilot review thinking, ooh it's a hot rod and I'm really going to get some sporty action in this car-- it doesn't even do a burnout. I'm floored right now. It just cuts all the power. [ENGINE REVVING] So you should probably go watch the Porsche versus Corvette review that Carlos and Alistair just did. For the rest of you who actually want a family vehicle, we've got you covered. The Elite is the most expensive trim level you can get in the Honda Pilot. This one that we're driving, which is very heavily-optioned, is $49,000. But they start at $31,000, so the Honda Pilot's really covering both ends of the segment. And you can get almost all the good stuff that the Elite has in the middle at the EX or the EXL level. The Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 which is rated at 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It's plenty to move this car around, although it isn't super quick. The higher trim levels are backed by the nine-speed transmission, and that transmission was sort of a sticking point for Edmunds in the earlier years. It really searched around a lot and nobody liked it. Honda has done a great job of retuning that transmission. And while I wouldn't call it sporty, I barely even notice it's there, which is what you want in a transmission. And all of the Edmunds reviewers agreed with me that it's way better. The engine has plenty of power, even in its regular drive mode. On a steep hill like the one we're on right now, you might want to put it in the sport mode. It gives you just a little bit more throttle response so that you don't have to floor it to get moving. Along with having a sport mode, there are four different driving modes. There is one for snow, one for mud, and one for sand. What it does is it changes how the power goes to the four different wheels for the all-wheel drive. It also cuts stability control, so if you're in sand or mud where you want the wheels to be able to spin, it'll let you do that so that you don't get stuck. It's really very smart. If you aren't trying to hot rod in your Pilot, fuel mileage is right in the middle of the segment. It is not the best. I think that might be the Mazda. But it's also not the worst. It gets 19 on the street, 26 on the highway, and 22 combined. I've been kind of joking about the Honda being a hot rod or not being a hot rod. But again, you've got to think about why you want this car, and who's going to be in it. And if it's your kids, if it's a baby, and they're sleeping in the back, you don't want a jumpy throttle or aggressive steering ramp. You want everything to be smooth and quiet so you don't wake up whoever's sleeping in the back. The ride quality in this is exactly what you want. I mean, we're in a really rough road right now, and the video guy's asleep back there. I'm sure of it. Honda, like many of the car manufacturers now, is starting to include all its safety features as standard, no matter what trim you get, which I think is fantastic. So you get a backup camera, you get blind spot warning, you get emergency braking. And it'll warn you if somebody's stopped in front of you with a little flashing "brake, brake." And at first, I was like, what's that going to do? But last night, I was not really paying attention. In fact, I was messing with this Eco button here on the dash, and it did the little "brake, brake" at me. And there was a car stopped in front of me unexpectedly. So I guess the emergency braking system might have saved me from crashing into that car, but we didn't have to test it, thankfully. In commercials for family vehicles, you always see these calm, chic parents. And they look beautiful and put-together, and they've got these beautiful, put-together kids in the back who are super well-behaved. In reality, they ought to show somebody who woke up at 4:00 that morning because the dog barfed, and they're trying to get the kids to school and then get ready for work. And there's yogurt spilled on the console and Cheerios flying around in the back. And I think the dog barfed back there again. The Honda designers really thought about how they could help people weather that storm. So it's full of neat little tricks to help parents. [MUSIC PLAYING] Something I really like about the Pilot is the visibility. It's really easy to see out of, and I can tell where all the edges of the car are. And that makes it really simple to park. Even though it's a really big car, it parks like a small one. I did notice that while it has a backup camera, it doesn't have a 360 camera. It has a couple of different views, including the "don't run over your kid's bike" view. And it has a 360 overhead sensor, but it doesn't actually have a 360 backup camera. But because it's so easy to see out of, I don't even miss it. As a parent/chauffeur, you are basically going to be living in here. Lucky for you, it's a pretty nice place. The higher level Pilots have an eight-inch touchscreen which I really like. It looks nice. It's got this frameless construction, and it's also really easy to use. It's not hard to figure out where you want to be on things. While the screen looks very high tech, I actually really appreciate that Honda put an actual volume knob in. It's so much easier than trying to hit a bunch of buttons-- even the buttons on the steering wheel. Your high tech options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hotspots, are in the high tech screen. And then more traditional stuff, like say, heating and cooling, is a little bit lower down. Also easy little switches-- individual, driver, and passenger. Or you can sync them together. And if you move further down, you've got a Blu-ray player that goes to a screen in the back for the kiddos, or your easily-bored adult friends. And heated or cooled seats for both driver and passenger. Because these days none of us can get all the technology that we need just from the car, there's a lot of places to deal with your phone. I really like the charging pad in the Pilot, because sometimes these touch charging pads are in either a difficult place to get to, or they take up all of your space. And you really don't want to put anything else on top of them, because they get hot. This one's easy to use. It's non-slip, so the phone stays there. And it doesn't really take up the rest of your storage. There's plenty of space here. You've got cup holders and then a big, huge console here that you can keep all of your snacks in. It really is a big console. And it has a little sliding drawer here, so if there's smaller stuff, you can put that here and you don't have to go digging around in the back there. Another thing I like about the console-- excellent bag storage. It won't slide off in the back. The digital dash is uncluttered and customizable, so you can see exactly what it is that you want to be focusing on. The steering wheel is a little bit different from a lot of the cars that I've been driving recently. Normally I find that the radio controls tend to be on this side. But on the Pilot, they're over here on the left. And it's the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist that's over here on the right. The Pilot's available in five different trim levels. And in the lower levels you get cloth seats, and in the upper levels you get a leather, leatherette? I think it's a leatherette. Most of the materials are sort of leathery, rubbery, soft plastic-- easy to clean. Even the console cover, which looks like it has a texture, is actually very smooth. So you'd be able to wipe spilled yogurt off that very quickly. The seats are very adjustable. I had no problem getting into a driving position that fit me. My husband had no problem getting into a driving position that fit him. They move all over the place. There's also plenty of room between you and a passenger, because if you have a big family, you're going to need your space. Everything about the Pilot is meant to make it easier to communicate with your family in the back, and to keep an eye on them. For example, inside this little glasses case is a wide angle mirror. I can see you back there. There's also CabinTalk, which will go through the speakers or the headphones, so your kids can't pretend that they didn't hear you. What's the deal with shifters? They're all different now. Like, I had no problem with the traditional shifter. For a push button shifter, it does have one benefit, which is each button feels different. And it has a different motion to activate it, which means that you're not going to accidentally go in reverse when you want to go into drive. Plenty of room in the back of the Pilot, as you'd expect. If you're an adult, totally comfortable. Got cup holders. You've got charging ports and USBs. And you've got your own climate controls, including heated seats. But really, the backseat of a Pilot is meant for kids. So you can easily fit two car seats here and have room to move around them, which is a big deal. And there's entertainment. [MUSIC PLAYING] Hi. The selling point for a three-row SUV is obviously the third row. So how is it back here? It's actually pretty comfortable. You've got nice, squishy seats. Got big cup holders and a big armrest. And you've got a window, so you don't feel like you're in a dungeon. You could take the whole Girl Scout troop out. However, that little lass in the middle here-- she's not going to be very comfortable for long. There's a big hump of plastic that goes right in the middle of your lower back. Ow. Normally the cargo segment of a review is not very exciting. It's basically, how much is there? 16.5 with the seats up. 83.9 with all of them down. That's not the best in the segment, and it's actually fairly small with the seats up. But it's how they use that space that's really smart. Watch. Looks like a normal trunk, right? Carpeted. Things don't roll around. Ooh, but look. First of all, there's space underneath here. But even smarter-- [TAPPING] They knew that sometimes you're going to be doing things where your gear gets dirty and you don't want to put it on the carpet. So they made this reversible. Now it's easy-to-clean plastic. [TAPPING] Almost everything about the Honda Pilot is perfectly designed for parents, except for how you put the seats down. If you came in here with a baby in one arm and groceries in the other, you're going to have to put something down. A lot of the competitors have a button on the side, which is great, because you can kind of hit it with an elbow or just with a tap of the finger. But this is a strap. You have to kind of lean all the way over so it doesn't thump down. Even worse is bringing it back up. And this is the Elite. You would think it would have a button. [MUSIC PLAYING] I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that the Honda Pilot is a fun car to drive. But you know what? It's not meant for that. It's meant to be a safe and reliable way to transport you and your family to do the things that you love. [CAR BEEPING] It may not be a fun car to drive, but it will take you to have fun. It's a good thing you didn't bring a bigger plane. [MUSIC PLAYING] [PLANE ENGINE ROARING] I'm ready. Ooh, it's fast. [LAUGHING] Yippee! Ooh. JIM DESAUTELS: [LAUGHING] ELANA SCHERR: It just spins. Oh, my goodness. [PLANE ENGINE ROARING] For more information on the Pilot and all its competitors, visit us at Edmunds. Make sure you subscribe for more videos like this, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2019 Honda Pilot Review
Big three-row SUVs such as the 2019 Honda Pilot exist almost exclusively for the use of family folks who don't want a minivan. The Pilot has all the interior space of those famous '80s soccer-team haulers, but from the outside it looks truck-like, tough even, especially with a minor… face-lift for 2019. Inside, the Pilot makes no attempt to pretend it's about anything but family, with sideview mirrors, a driver-to-headphone intercom, and plenty of seating and safety for small humans. Edmunds special correspondent Elana Scherr immediately acknowledges the Honda's utility but wants to know: Is there any fun to be had when you're piloting the Pilot?
2019 Pilot Highlights
LX
Base MSRP | $31,450 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $197/month |
Seating | 8 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Pilot models:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring System
- Alerts the driver if a vehicle is lurking in the blind spots and beeps if the turn signal is activated in that direction.
- Honda Sensing Package
- Includes items such as forward collision mitigation with auto braking and road departure intervention and is standard on all trim levels.
- Parking Sensors
- Indicates how close the vehicle is to objects with visual and audible alerts.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover17.5%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedMarginal
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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