2012 Honda Pilot Review: Comfortable & Dependable SUV With A Lot Of Passenger Room

Apr 1, 2022

The 2012 Pilot lasts over 250,000 miles with only software and rare transmission issues. At $12,953 – 16,923, it’s a bargain for a midsize SUV that fits up to 7 adults.

The Good

The suspension is comfortable, passenger room is great in all three rows and the engine offers smooth acceleration.

The Bad

Interior plastic materials are cheap, the engine is weak and the AWD system isn’t as good as a dedicated 4WD drivetrain.

Is the 2012 Honda Pilot a Good Used SUV?

Yes, 2012 is a good year. Owners like the technology, comfortable seats, and dependable engine.
Reliability ratings are great. Models from 2009–2015 are all good choices, with more mechanical problems showing up for the 2016 model.
Performance is weak from the V6 engine.
The Pilot is a safe SUV getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award. Optional features include a rearview camera and parking sensors.
Fuel economy is good at up to 20 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Jessica C

Great family car with great gas mileage.

We love this car! Great family car, very spacious and plenty of room to pack for trips. Smooth drive. The doors do not always unlock with the keyless remote, which could be a simple battery issue or otherwise. We haven't had any problems with this car.

sand t

Spacious is one of the most important features and safety of course id the main one.

Love this SUV, great handling and not bad in gas usage.

tony T

Get great mile per gallon.

The Pilot is a sport utility vehicle. The 2012 model is a much larger. It gets good mileage.

Dana P

Honda Pilot- perfect for your family

Extremely comfortable for a family. Plenty of room for storage, ride is smooth like a car. Key operated trunk functionality makes this vehicle ideal for parents.

Randy R

The Honda pilot is an excellent family vehicle that requires only maintenance.

This has been a trouble free, easy to drive, reliable vehicle. It can carry a good load, tow a boat as well as carry seven passengers without squeezing in, it works well as an off road vehicle and the 4 wheel drive is excellent in the snow. The only maintenance in the 9 years that I have had the vehicle is routine such as replacing tires, and battery.

Carol L

Very low maintenance and I like the look of my 2012 pilot.

I love my Honda pilot. I do not like the newer ones, they look like every other SUV hatchback. The new ones lost the “boxy” look, that is what I like I like best about my pilot. I have had no issues, other than new tires, battery, and oil changes. Low maintenance. It was the right size for my family of 4 when we bought it. I probably will not buy the newer brand of the pilot though.

Lana R

Honda Pilot has 3rd row seating and plenty of storage.

I absolutely love my Honda Pilot. The 3rd row seating is a very useful when needed. It drives very smooth. For an SUV it's easy to park. Its comfortable. It gets good gas mileage. The stereo plays loud and clear. I love being able to change the stereo on the steering wheel.

VerRonica C

It's loaded with all sorts of fun features

I love the pilot. It's roomy, comfortable, and is a smooth ride. It also has all the features we need for comfortable road trips.

Negative Owner Reviews

Bradley C

A great car for beginning drivers and families.

Battery dies very often, on my fifth battery so far. Drives very smoothly and incurs basically no issues besides battery. Sits very high up on the road, and is good for non-confident drivers. Very well made car leather has lasted 8 years on all seats.

David J

Brake problems on my Honda pilot 2012. Replaced twice still going bad.

Always had brake issues. Replaced twice. Still messed up. Have no idea what's up with them. Mechanic said they just continue to wear out. Obvious to me it is a manufacturer flaw that causes them to go bad so quick. It's not my driving - I am not a brake slammer.

CR Y

Reliable and space to move people and things.

The main thing is it is not an easy car to drive, it's more like a truck and the sawed off front makes visibility bad. It has been a reliable car as we usually stick with Hondas. I would buy another Honda but the design of the pilot from 2012 is just difficult.

Bailey R

Very comfortable to take trips in but the transmission might fall out.

Braking problem but comfortable the fabric rips easily but there is lots of room and places to sit and even lay down. We take trips in it all the time and is really comfortable. The dashboard is also sturdy. It does shake when we stop and we are worried that the engine/transmission will fall out when we are driving.

Nick M

It is everything you could want out of a car.

I have had no problems with it at all. The seats are super comfortable, the gas tank is reasonably large, has great gas mileage, loud and clear sound system, and ac and heat both work quickly and efficiently. It is very reliable and I intend on buying a newer version in the future.

Emily R

It runs smoothly and it is easy to drive.

The vehicle runs smoothly and well it is a great vehicle and I enjoy it very much. I love this vehicle.

Kylee F

This vehicle has the most amazing seat heaters of any vehicle I have been in!

I really enjoy the size of this vehicle! As a teacher, it is nice to have a vehicle that allows for a lot of space for moving things from one location to another. I also love the sun roof and heat seaters! Not to mention, the amount of seating in this vehicle also allows for my family to grow into.

Laura W

It is safe and dependable It can hold a lot of people comfortably

I like that it is dependable. It is good in all weather. It holds a lot of people. I don't like that it uses a lot of gas

What Do Critics Say About the Pilot?

Consumer Reports finds the Pilot to drive very smoothly, and has good owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Pilot a 4.1/5 liking the comfortable suspension, but finding the engine slow.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Pilot 4.5/5 and like the AWD system for snow, but towing performance is weak.

What Common Problems Does the 2012 Honda Pilot Have?

We find the Pilot doesn’t have serious problems, the common issues are with paint, some hesitation while accelerating, and overdrive shifting concerns.

Peeling paint is the most common complaint from owners at around 100,000 miles. The roof is where the paint often peels, costing about $1,000 to repaint.

Hesitation while accelerating shows up in some vehicles at nearly 40,000 miles. Some owners have been able to solve the problem by resetting the engine computer, but there’s no mechanical issues.

Transmission shifting issues are also brought up by owners in the first 35,000 miles. Updating the transmission software fixes the issue usually and can be done at dealerships.

There are 9 recalls with the most serious being for the fuel vent shut-off valve which increases the risk of a fire. The rest of the recalls are all for air bags and are not a concern once they’ve been replaced.

How Long Will the 2012 Honda Pilot Last?

A properly maintained 2012 Pilot will last over 250,000 miles, which is similar to other midsize SUVs including the CX-9. Regular annual maintenance costs are average at around $596 per year, according to Repair Pal.

A 2012 Pilot is likely to have over 100,000 miles so shoppers should be prepared to replace the air conditioning drier for $350, power seat motors costing $370, and the throttle body which costs $500.

Stephanie P

Yes I believe it is reliable. I have only needed routine work done since I bought it. Such as brakes, oil changes, tire rotations, etc.

Michelle C

So far it has been very reliable. We haven't had any major problems and very few minor problems. I starts when I get in it.

Jess M

Yes, it is very reliable. There are no problems with my Honda pilot, I trust it to take me where I need to go.

Tarrah S

I have only had one problem which turned out to be a factory default in the engine. Other than that, I have done nothing but regular maintenance on it.

Ashley L

My pilot is very reliable. I have no had any big problems with it outside of the normal maintenance a vehicle requires when it is driven as much as I do.

Lina B

I have had issues with the alternator 2 times since I have owned it since 2016. But I am not sure if that is just the alternator issue not the car. Other than that no big issues just normal maintenance duties.

susan j

It is reliable. That is one reason I bought this vehicle. It has good ratings and good crash test ratings.

Maryann T

My Honda pilot is very reliable with no problems as long as the maintainer is kept up on the vehicle.

How Much Is the 2012 Honda Pilot Worth?

Blue book values range from $12,953 – 16,923 making the Pilot $4,000 cheaper than a Grand Cherokee or Highlander. When new, the price range was $28,620 to $40,970. Depreciation is average, losing around 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Pilot?

There are four versions of the Pilot available, and it is offered with either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. Technology is outdated and last updated in 2009. There’s a new infotainment system for the 2013 model year with a better navigation system.

LX is the entry-level model with:

17-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Keyless entry
Folding Seats
7-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 3.5mm AUX Jack

EX is a step up adding features including:

18-Inch Alloy Wheels
Premium Cloth Seating
Painted Molding
Power Driver’s Seat
Bluetooth Connectivity

EX-L offers some luxury features such as:

Leather Seating
Heated Front Seats
Power Liftgate
Rearview Camera

Touring is the flagship luxury model and has:

Voice Activated Navigation System
Parking Sensors
Roof rails
10-Speaker Stereo System

250 HP 20 MPG

View Details

250 HP 20 MPG

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EX-L

250 HP 20 MPG

View Details

Touring

250 HP 20 MPG

View Details

What Engines Come In the Pilot?

There’s only one relatively weak 3.5L V6 found in the Pilot making 250 horsepower and getting up to 20 MPG combined. Performance is slow, taking 9.1 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, and only towing up to 4,500 pounds.

What Colors Does the Pilot Come In?

How Big Is the Pilot?

The Pilot is an average-sized midsize SUV like the Edge and Sorento. Passenger room is great, and easily fits adults in all three rows of seating.

Cargo space is good for the size with 18 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 47.7 behind the second, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rows folded flat.

How Does the Pilot Compare to the Competition?

The Toyota Highlander is the Pilot’s closest competitor costing about $4,000 more. Technology and interior materials are better in the Highlander, but the Pilot is more spacious. Both SUVs are reliable, but the Highlander earns our recommendation with more modern technology.

The Acura MDX is another rival costing about $4,000 more as well. Where the MDX stands out is with more power and luxury, but the Pilot has more room. The two SUVs are built on the same platform and if luxury is not important to you, then the Pilot is a better budget-friendly choice.

Ranks #6 Midsize SUV by Owners

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

4.88

2012 Toyota 4Runner

4.69

Tie

2012 Honda Pilot

4.56

Do Owners Recommend the Honda Pilot?

Stephanie P

Yes. I feel safe putting my children in this car. It also has plenty of room for groceries, strollers, etc in the trunk especially with the 3rd row put down. Also have not had many issues or needed any repairs.

Michelle C

Yes, it is reliable, comfortable, a looks nice. There's plenty of room and I like how the seats fold down.

Jess M

Yes, it is a great vehicle. It is very reliable and durable, I do not take it to be serviced often. I am never concerned with the safety of the vehicle, as I always feel protected in my giant Honda pilot.

Tarrah S

Yes, I love my pilot. It has tons of space and drives smoothly. I love the third seat option and how spacious the trunk space is.

Ashley L

Yes, I love my pilot. It drives very smooth and has plenty of cargo space for my family. I also love the extras in this trim package.

Lina B

Yes! I love this car it is very spacious. It has 3 rows of seats. It is very comfortable to drive, as well as easy to park and maneuver. There's also a lot of space for storage and cup holders all over. Most SUVs only have a cup holder on one side but this car has 10 total. The whole car is perfect for me and my family.

susan j

Yes it is reliable. It has a lot of storage features and it is good for transporting things. I like driving it.

Maryann T

It is great. Wish the back seats were bigger with more foot room. And that the vehicle was just a bit longer so that there is a bigger trunk.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Alyce Butts on October 2, 2022

Multiple problems

I bought my 2012 Honda Pilot with 28000 miles on it.it was a Certified Preowned vehicle. We bought it because of the reliability of Honda vehicles. Not mine. Not long after I bought it there was a manifold leak and not covered by extended warranty. Not long after that was a "bulletin" about a problem with the bottom of the engine. Honda covered it. Now with only 137000 miles the transmission.has died.NEVER ANOTHER HONDA.Biggest disappointment ever. I strongly believe in maintenance and I never let maintenance go.

Emma J on June 23, 2021

Gas efficient and spacious car! If I ever buy a new car, it will be Honda.

I like my Honda pilot. It really spacious and great in gas mileage. It has enough space to add groceries while I have enough room if I have family over. The sunroof is perfect. My husband and I selected the leather seat and we have found it easy to keep the car clean without headaches. Great car.

Arwen R on June 19, 2021

3rd row seating, perfect for larger families!

I love the space in the 3rd row. I had a Toyota highlander prior to the pilot and it provides so much more space for my older kids to fit in the “way back” I also love the backup camera and the leather seats. I cannot live without leather. I definitely recommend for larger families.

Barb on June 14, 2021

Great Vehicle

I’ve had my Honda Pilot since 2014. I just hit 100,000 miles. No major issues with this vehicle. It can fit a lot of stuff in the rear, even more when you put down your rear seats. The gas mileage is definitely a con. It’s a great family vehicle for all seasons.

Diana N on June 9, 2021

2012 Honda pilot honest review.

It is reliable and spacious. I like the versatility of the third row and how it can hold down. I would prefer a newer model. The GPS sometimes gives bad directions and you have to pay $600 to get the software updated. The color is a little off. It's not quite black and not quite gray.

Sherry D on June 7, 2021

Honda pilot is reliable and a great deal for the price.

The Honda pilot is a great mid level SUV. We have not had any problems with the vehicle beside general maintenance. The vehicle handles well and is good in all weather conditions. We had two dogs and the third row was great for the dogs, travel and there is a lot of room. We also were able to comfortably get 8 people into the vehicle. I like the boxy look of the 2012 pilot and wish they would make that model again. Also, there is no visible rust or any structural problems and we drive in some harsh winter conditions.

Amber B on June 4, 2021

Fits 8 people, has a small trunk, it has a DVD player, decent on gas mileage.

I have had no major issues, other than the vsa system keeps saying to be checked which in turn makes your engine check light come on so you really think something is wrong, but it is minor. I get decent gas mileage. The kids love it because it has a CD player in it and it came with headphones, so they both stayed quiet for the first three months riding in it! I bought used, so it already had a lot of miles, but again, I haven't had any issues other than the vsa system light.

Ashley G on June 2, 2021

Great car for families, or just in general.

Love it. Love the size, although parking is difficult and not a great turning radius. Pick-up is not the best but okay if you are not needing, to be driving quickly. Great car for families, 3rd row is easily accessible, and it easily fits 8 people without being squished.

Abby G on May 27, 2021

Grey Honda pilot 2012 review.

It's a good and sturdy car. However, it is also a little bulky and heavy, which can affect driving. But it is very safe and has lots of room.It's a good and sturdy car. However, it is also a little bulky and heavy, which can affect driving. But it is very safe and has lots of room.

Rebecca M on May 18, 2021

Honda pilot touring with navigation and entertainment systems!

It drives good! It has GPS! And it has a build in DVD system! I love driving it because it's so smooth! It is a lot of fun to drive! I live the amount of gas miles that it has on a day to day basis! Vit VFC is just a real joy to drive! The DVD system is a really good thing for the kids of all ages on any kind of trip anywhere you go! It will entertain any one that watches any kind of movie anywhere you can watch at any time you want to watch them!

Sarah M on May 10, 2021

Mom approved, kiddo approved! Good all weather vehicle!

Absolutely love my pilot. As a mom of active twin boys, the pilot has been extremely helpful. I am able to fit 5 kiddos safely and comfortably along with various bags and sports equipment. I have owned other vehicles and Honda definitely stands the hard on equipment tests. Kids shoes and cleats kicking the back seat, climbing over to access the 3rd row, drinks and snacks. I like a clean car but as a mom messes happen! The leather seats, door handles, cup holders even the backs of the seats look almost brand new still. I am very impressed with Honda's attention to detail and value for the price!

John K on May 5, 2021

Honda pilot. Getting you places!

Good mileage and economic! Very spacious and comfortable seating! Quality upholstery! Above average power plant! Excellent road handling capabilities! All wheel drive! Interior design is awesome! Exterior design is clean and functional! Power steering and abs braking system!

Marquise M on April 24, 2021

Great for transporting children and out of town visitors.

The Honda pilot is a great SUV for carrying around equipment and extra passengers. The flip down screen is great for keeping children entertained during long trips. However I feel as though it is not meant for driving far on a daily basis. As with bigger vehicles is can eat up a lot of gas if you drive it more than 10 miles a day. The rear windshield wiper needs a custom blade that you can only get from Honda which can be a pain if you live far enough. Other than that it is a great SUV. It has held up for more than 8 years.

William A on April 22, 2021

Great car with overall outstanding performance.

This vehicle is great and it is good for traveling and hanging out with friends. Along with us the leather seats make it for a comfy ride and increase the cars aesthetic. The miles per gallon that this car gets is also pretty good for its size which makes it more affordable in the long run compared to other large cars.

Roxy A on April 19, 2021

Good family car with space and storage for daily use or travel.

Drives easy, good quality and comfort car with lots of storage and space. The music quality and sunroof are great. Love that the seat can go flat for more storage space or travel. Has 4 wheel drive for snow or other types of terrain. Never had any issues with my car!

Amaris S on April 10, 2021

It has a sunroof that's lovely to open up underneath the stars.

It's a really nice care for the year it is, it's easy to drive and comfortable. It feels like a perfect family car for sure. It has a DVD player that I can play movies on for my child in the back with headphones to connect to it if you would rather listen to music while they watch a movie!

Jason F on April 8, 2021

Get you a 2012 Honda pilot.

Love my 2012 pilot, only had it 2 months and already been camping 3 times with it, has plenty of room for luggage... It has plenty of power and I love the downhill assist when coming down the mountains, she handles corners and mountains like a dream! I would definitely recommend the 2012 pilot!!

Joseph A on April 4, 2021

Comfortable and exactly what I need.

I find that there is a lot of space in my Honda pilot. There is room to drive my friends places, and there is a lot of trunk room if you put the seats down. The seats are comfortable. There is a sunroof which I do not personally use too much, but it is a nice feature to have.

Latisha B on April 3, 2021

I love it due to the seating and storage space.

I haven't had any issues. My engine and cosmetics have regular maintenance and it is been a wonderful family vehicle. It was pre-owned but the previous owners obviously took good care of it as well. I would highly recommend this type of vehicle for any family.

Jeff P on March 31, 2021

Decent value for the price.

Poor gas mileage. Trunk opens too slowly. Very roomy both length and width. Has lasted 120 thousand miles. No system failures. Electrical works great. Used price was probably too high for the vehicle. Tires wear evenly. Room for three car seats in back. Very roomy trunk.

Shelby G on March 30, 2021

Reliable and worth the money.

The 2012 pilot is comfortable with room for 8 people. The exl has leather seats with warmers which is very helpful for winter. The v6 does not have as much pick up and go as others but it still gets to a decent speed in a decent amount of time. I have done regular oil changes and maintenance and have had no issues whatsoever. I have done city and highway driving as well as taken on some 4x4 trails with careful route finding due to the almost 8” clearance. Overall an extremely reliable vehicle for the price. Retains its value well.

Alicia F on March 30, 2021

Comfort of a luxury SUV without the price.

Super reliable, super comfortable, and super roomy. Seats 7-8 people very comfortably with a roof rack for luggage when traveling. DVD player comes in very handy on long trips. The navigation requests to be updated, which costs about $200, but I have never done it because I usually use my phone as a backup. Best vehicle I have ever owned, hands down.

Emily f on March 23, 2021

The car is very reliable and trustworthy.

I like how the vehicle drives. It's smooth and easy to control. I like sitting up higher than in a sedan. The car is comfortable and roomy. I love the gps and the satellite radio. I wish it got better gas mileage.

Bruce C on March 19, 2021

Overview of my 2012 Honda pilot.

No issues with our 2012 Honda pilot touring edition. We have about 125,000 miles on it now. Runs great and it gets decent gas mileage for a six cylinder engine. We love the seat warmers in the winter as well. Also, there is plenty of room for storage in the rear.

Sue M on March 18, 2021

Honda Pilot. What a great SUV to buy

Very comfortable and reliable Safe Great on gas Love the seat warmers Drives smoothly I will buy Honda again in the future

KJ H on March 18, 2021

The Honda pilot is a perfect family car that runs great and looks great.

Our Honda pilot is a great, reliable family car. We have the option to have a ton of trunk space or a third row of seating if needed. This means it is a car we will not outgrow. It also runs smoothly and has given us little to no problem at all in the three and a half years that we have owned it. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a family car that is both spacious, smooth, and that is way cooler looking than a minivan. We love it!

Lexi L on March 17, 2021

The Honda pilot will give you amazing adventures and a reliable ride.

It is great! It has held up with very few problems, I have had it for years and it's an amazing vehicle. It is not super hard on gas, to fill up a tank is about $50, every 2 1/2 weeks depending. Takes synthetic oil, ac works great and fast, as well as the heat.

gary k on March 14, 2021

My Pilot is very reliable and I have not had any problems with repairs. The Pilot has lots of room inside. The mileage could be better.

There is lots of room inside. 3 rows of seats and the SUV seats 8 people

Beth D on March 14, 2021

Great value and dependability in a family vehicle!

My Honda pilot is very reliable. It is roomy enough for my family or for bringing home large purchases. It is comfortable for long trips, even in the third row seating. We have only had to have routine maintenance done. We considered it to be a great value. We keep our cars for a long time so we need dependable vehicles.

CR Y on March 14, 2021

Reliable and space to move people and things.

Lauren L on March 13, 2021

Good gas mileage and safe

This SUV is fuel efficient. It has a lot of air bags which makes me feel safe. It's four wheel drive so it was useful towing a camper in the mountains

Tara D on March 8, 2021

The amazing and spacious Honda pilot.

My vehicle is so versatile which makes it outstanding for a road trip, a grocery store run or just a drive around the neighborhood. I love that my car fits 8 people as that is more than enough for me. It is a bigger car but when I drive it does not feel like it.

Erica L on March 7, 2021

The reliable Honda pilot review.

I have children. The Honda pilot is very spacious. It is a foreign car and most foreign cars that I have purchased or driven have driven wonderfully. I also believe that this vehicle is affordable. Personally, it is affordable because you will get your money worth. This vehicle lasts for years. The performance is great. Although small things like not keeping your gas cap tight will cause lights to come on, this is only a small problem. This vehicle. I will give a 10 out of 10.

Sonya C on March 6, 2021

Love the reliability of my pilot!

This has been a great car! Pilots are wonderful. We make sure to do oil changes & all recommended maintenance on time, and have had zero issues with the performance of this car. The same was true of the previous pilot we owned & drove until it was at over 200, 000 miles. Extremely reliable. I do wish the headrests were better designed throughout the vehicle. And I wish we had selected a vehicle with darker colored seats as our tan leather is starting to look dingy. Overall, very happy with comfort, performance, features, & reliability.

Kimberly H on March 5, 2021

Honda pilot great family vehicle.

I have no problems with my Honda pilot which I have owned for about 6 years new. Purchased used. It is very reliable and has great gas mileage. I like the Bluetooth feature, leather, and the third row of seats. It has plenty of storage room in the back.

lynn s on February 27, 2021

That it has room to fit 8 people and still area in the back for storage.

Love this car. Its big enough for family adventures to wherever we want plus its great on gas for shorter trips

Kae P on February 23, 2021

The great honda pilot; all the ways you can use it.

The 2012 honda pilot is the best. It is really roomy on the inside and has a huge back trunk with a hidden storage compartment. Both driver and passenger seats are heated. The middle and third row can both be laid flatly down for even more storage space. Adding on roof racks to the top helps greatly with traveling and camping. It is the most reliable car I have had and it has yet to let me down. Luxurious, roomy, and comfortable, good for long road trips or even just trips to the grocery store. I have taken it on camping trips numerous times. It is the best for storing all of our camping necessities and yet there's still room for more. The car is great for going up into the mountains or even down to the lake. You can take it anywhere. There's even a sunroof, great for stargazing.

Chris A on February 23, 2021

Great for families in need of space!

Suspension is a little unreliable. Love the interior of the vehicle and the space it provides. Family with 5 dogs, so it is great for carrying them around. Would recommend for a larger family. Primary use for us is work vehicle and travel vehicle. The extra space allows for a comfortable trip. Gas mileage is great for the type of vehicle.

Cynthia M on February 19, 2021

Love the heated seats! Even though we live in Texas, we use them quite often.

We like the reliability of a Honda vehicle. We love having the third row seats. We do not use them all the time, but love that they are available if needed. We have taken the pilot on many long road trips and find it to be quite comfortable. We currently have over 112,000 miles and going strong! . .

michelle c on February 18, 2021

Dynamic family car that is spacious, safe and comfortable to drive.

This is my second pilot. We absolutely love it. No complaints or dislikes. It is such a great family car.

Theany S on February 17, 2021

It is an 8-seater SUV, so it has a lot of space and can carry a lot of people.

I like that it's an SUV and has a lot of space to put things, but is not spacious for sitting. It is unusually wide, which I don't like. The seats also aren't very comfy.

Meagan A on February 16, 2021

We love our pilot but just wished it had more trunk space with the third row up.

I have 4 children and I feel like the trunk space could use more space when the third row is up. My family and I take a lot trips and can barely fit anything in the back. The car in general is a good reliable car and it is very comfortable. I don't really care for the look of it, only bought it for the third row for my family of 6.

Callie E on February 13, 2021

A great, reliable, and spacious car.

It drives well, the locks are broken except for one door and the trunk door. It is comfortable to drive and it is very reliable. It comes with a small TV to watch movies on trips and seat heaters in the front seats. The back converts from trunk space to seating space if you need more than five seats. It will then seat up to 8 people including driver and passenger.

Maggie W on February 11, 2021

It seats 8 people without feeling like your driving a bus, great MPG.

I do not like how you have to be in 2 or 3 rd. Fear to turn in your 4 wheel drive dealership didn't tell us this we had to figure it out. The back end is very small if 3rd row seating is up not enough room for luggage for the amount of people it can hold.

Bonnie S on February 9, 2021

Best reliable and safest family car ever!

Best vehicle for a large family. This vehicle is perfect for safety and comfort. Love that it has three rows. Is spacious, safe for my family. Wouldn't trade it for another car. It's reliable and easy to care for. The seats are easy to move down if needed. Love my vehicle.

Geneen Y on February 7, 2021

I love that it has a huge compartments in the middle console.

Not really any actual problem just not a ton of room in the back when people are using the 3rd row. I also feel like the seats should be heated but are not. Other than that it is a nice car! My baby's car seat fits nicely on the seats. I'd like to find car seat covers for the front that match the back but that's hard.

Mona H on February 4, 2021

I love my Pilot. It's the vehicle I've owned the longest. I plan to keep it forever. There's nothing I dislike about my truck. It fits lots of people, things and gets my family everywhere we need to be.

I love it! It's reliable, good on mileage and has great space to keep everything.

Melissa B on February 4, 2021

You cannot go wrong with a Honda.

Honda has always been a favorite car of mine. I have owned several. As long as you keep up with regular maintenance, you can drive them for as long as your heart desires. I bought a 2012 pilot in 2019. It is one of the best riding vehicles I have ever owned.

Janet W on February 3, 2021

The Honda Pilot is very easy to handle when driving.

I like the space it provides for passengers and cargo. Easy to maneuver and handle. Gas mileage is also good.

Sara O on February 3, 2021

Durable and reliable but always check who you are purchasing from.

The car is rather durable and reliable especially when there is bad weather (ICE rain storms and snow). Does not really require too much maintenance aside from the normal (fluid changes, brakes). There is plenty of room to seat people, sits 7 not including the driver. Plus the third row can be kept folded down to allow for more trunk room which there is plenty of. The main downside is I bought my car preowned and I have to do so much work to it within owning the car for roughly three years now. If it weren't for the extended warranty I had purchased on the car I would have had to spend more money than I had purchased for the car itself.

Wendy B on February 3, 2021

If you are looking to purchase an SUV, an older version of the Honda pilot is the way to go. Don't car for the newer style they look a minivan. The older ones, great car

I love my Honda pilot. No issues, no problems mechanical wise. Great car

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.