2015 Honda Pilot Review: Problem Free & Spacious Midsize SUV That’s Affordable To Own

The 2015 Honda Pilot lasts around 250,000 miles with only some minor engine sensor and door lock issues. At $16,400 to $20,650, it’s a good value for a dependable midsize SUV with enough room to fit a family.

Is the 2015 Honda Pilot a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – 2015 is a good year for the Pilot, although it’s definitely dated and missing the latest technology. Owner reviews praise the spacious interior, smooth suspension, and stereo system.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – Interior materials are cheaper than other midsize SUVs, the seats are not very comfortable as they age, while cargo space is great.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems on the 2015 Honda Pilot. Models from 2011–2015 are all good choices, with a surge in problems on the 2016
• Performance 7/10 – Performance is average from the V6 engine, although the towing capacity is low at only 4,500 pounds.
• Safety 7/10 – The 2015 Honda Pilot is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. Standard safety technology includes a rearview camera. It’s missing optional safety technology found on many competitors such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, along with collision mitigation.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 21 MPG, giving 441 miles of range from the 21 gallon tank. Gas costs are $24 higher than average, at $283 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2015 Honda Pilot is slightly more expensive than some other midsize SUVs, yet is worth the money since it’s a long-lasting choice.

What Do Critics Say About the Honda Pilot?

• Consumer Reports says the 2015 Pilot is showing its age compared to other midsize SUVs with average owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds gives the Pilot a 4.3/5 praising the comfortable suspension, but doesn’t like the slow engine.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Pilot a 4.5/5 enjoying the spacious cabin, but owners don’t like the lack of advanced safety features.

What Common Problems Does the 2015 Honda Pilot Have?

Common problems found on the 2015 Honda Pilot include check engine lights, door lock issues, as well as the transmission shuddering while shifting gears. Overall, these problems are minor for a midsize SUV from 2015, with average repair costs too.

Check engine lights are a complaint from owners at around 15,000 miles. There are several reasons a check engine light may turn on. Some of the most common reasons include fuel cap issues, as well as worn-out sensors. A new fuel cap is roughly $20, while sensors range from $100 to $300 depending on the problem.

Door lock issues, including the doors locking on their own, are also mentioned by owners at around 60,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by a bad door lock actuator. Changing out the actuators costs around $150, depending on local labor rates.

Shuddering while shifting gears is another common problem showing up in the first 20,000 miles. There’s a software update available for the transmission which fixes the problem. Dealerships can install the update for under $50.

There are 3 minor recalls on the 2015 Honda Pilot, which is better than other midsize SUVs. All of the recalls cover airbag inflators, which are common on all used SUVs, and ultimately are not a big concern once they’ve been replaced for free.

How Long Will the 2015 Honda Pilot Last?

A properly maintained 2015 Honda Pilot should last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the top-rated Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other midsize SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $514 per year.

Since many 2015 Honda Pilot models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the coolant reservoir for $300, steering knuckle costing $950, as well as the HVAC blend door which costs $355.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is good in the 2015 Honda Pilot with a standard 8-inch information display screen as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Safety technology is worse than average with only a standard rearview camera. There’s no optional advanced safety features which are found on many competitors.

Is the 2015 Honda Pilot a Good Value?

Yes, the 2015 Honda Pilot is a great value for an affordable midsize SUV. Blue book prices range from $16,400 to $20,650, making the Pilot more expensive than a Ford Edge, or Hyundai Santa Fe. When new, the price range was $29,870 to $41,620. Depreciation is similar to other midsize SUVs, losing about 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Honda Pilot?

There are five models of the Honda Pilot offered in 2015, from the base LX all the way to the luxurious Touring.

LX is the entry-level model with:

• 17-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Keyless Entry
• Tri-Zone Climate Control
• Cruise Control
• Rearview Camera
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• 8-Inch Display
• 7-Speaker Stereo System

EX is a step up, adding:

• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Body-Colored Mirror Caps
• Power Driver’s Seat
• Automatic Headlights

SE has additional features such as:

• Unique 18-Inch Wheels
• Sunroof
• Rear Seat Entertainment System
• Satellite Radio

EX-L has more items including:

• Leather Seating
• Power Liftgate
• Heated Front Seats
• Navigation System
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror

Touring is the flagship model with:

• Parking Sensors
• Second Row Sunshades
• Improved Tire Pressure Monitoring
• 10-Speaker Stereo System

What Engines Come In the Honda Pilot?

The 2015 Honda Pilot has an average 3.5L V6 which makes 250 horsepower while getting up to 21 MPG. Performance is average, taking 8.9 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH. The towing capacity is low at up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped.

What Colors Does the Honda Pilot Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Honda Pilot?

The 2015 Honda Pilot is a comfortable three-row midsize SUV offering seating for up to 8 people. The seats are good when they are new, however, they wear down quicker than average, becoming uncomfortable as they age.

Passenger room is great throughout the cabin, offering enough space to fit adults in the third row.

How Much Storage Space Does the Honda Pilot Have?

Cargo space is good with enough space for 4-5 suitcases behind the third row, 8-10 behind the second, and over 15 with the seats folded flat.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The second generation of the Honda Pilot was introduced in 2009, and replaced by the third generation in 2016.

2013: Bluetooth, USB, and rearview camera are standard.

2014: No major changes.

2015: New SE model which fits in between the EX and EX-L models.

2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new engine, transmission, and technology.

2017: Apple CarPlay & Android Auto added to models with the 8-inch touchscreen.

2018: No major changes.

2019: Minor exterior styling updates, standard Honda Sensing safety technology, updated stereo system.

How Does the Honda Pilot Compare to the Competition?

The Honda Pilot is one of the best midsize SUVs available from 2015 since it offers long lasting engines, good entertainment technology, as well as a spacious cabin.

The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV, which costs around $3,000 more. Interior materials are nicer in the Toyota Highlander, while the Honda Pilot offers more passenger room, especially in the third row. We recommend the Toyota Highlander for most buyers since it offers more up-to-date safety technology for the money.

The Acura MDX is a competitor which is around $2,000 more expensive. Although both the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX are built on the same platform, the interior is nicer in the Acura MDX. We recommend the Honda Pilot for most shoppers since the two SUVs are so similar.

Do Owners Recommend the Honda Pilot?