2016 Honda Pilot Review: Redesigned SUV Loaded With New Engine & Transmission Problems

Nov 2, 2022

The 2016 Honda Pilot only lasts around 200,000 miles with some serious transmission and engine issues. At $18,200 to $25,250, it’s too expensive for one of the least reliable years for the Pilot.

The Good

Interior materials are more luxurious than other midsize SUVs, the all-wheel-drive system works great in the snow and there are high-tech safety features available.

The Bad

Handling is worse than on older Pilot models, the stereo system is difficult to use and climbing into the third row is difficult behind the captain’s chairs.

Is the 2016 Honda Pilot a Good Used SUV?

Overall Rating 6/10 – 2016 is a bad year for the Honda Pilot with widespread mechanical problems reported, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about breakdowns, glitchy technology, along with expensive repair bills.
Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very high-end throughout the cabin, the seats hold up well over time, cargo space is also excellent for an SUV.
Reliability 5/10 – There is a surge in transmission, electrical, as well as engine problems on the 2016 Honda Pilot. Buyers should avoid models from 2016, while 2017–2022 are much more reliable.
Performance 8/10 – Performance is good from the V6 engine, making the Pilot quicker than other midsize SUVs.
Safety 8/10 – The 2016 Pilot is a safe SUV, earning a perfect 5 star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety technology includes a rearview camera. Optional features include forward collision warning, automatic braking, lane departure warning & intervention systems.
Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 23 MPG, giving 448 miles of range from the 19.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are average compared to other SUVs, at $258 per month.
Value 6/10 – Expensive repair bills make the Pilot a bad value proposition for shoppers in the market for a used SUV.

Positive Owner Reviews

Angela W

Honda Pilot 2016. Beautiful, Caribbean blue color with gray interior.

This is by far, the best vehicle I have ever owned. Very comfortable , smooth ride. Beautiful interior and extras. Very dependable and reliable. Lots of extra features to assist if your car is in need of maintenance. The safety rating and safety features are a great comfort.

Andrea S

Feels like a luxury vehicle.

I love my Honda pilot. It feels like a luxury vehicle. There's a third row, a DVD system, Bluetooth, heated seats. When I got into an accident on the highway, my car called 911 for me. One of my favorite features is the cruise control that adapts to the speed of the person in front of you, and it also has a lane assist option. These are surprisingly helpful and I use them all the time on the highway. I love driving this vehicle, I feel safe and I also feel like I have everything I need and more for a great trip, whether I am just going to the grocery store or on a road trip.

Lindsay K

Roomy and comfortable family car.

My Honda pilot is a great family car! It is comfortable and has lots of storage space. I would buy it again.

Amber B

Great car for a family. Great car for a road trip. Very comfortable and roomy.

I really enjoy my vehicle. I love the room it provides. It has a smooth and comfortable ride. The features that it has, like back up camera and side mirror view is really helpful when changing lanes. I love the cargo area. I am able to fit a lot in it. The removable lid in the cargo area makes it nice for loading groceries.

Kc C

The oil filter is in an odd location and is difficult to get to.

I love the durability and reliability. I like the miles per gallon. I dislike that I didn't get the top package. The touring package has a few features that I would enjoy. I also dislike that this model is not able to show allow carplay.

Isabella W

Honda pilot, a review by a 18 year old.

The vehicle that we currently use most often runs smoothly, with little to no issues. Although I am not much of a cars person, I do love our Honda pilot. With up to 8 seats in the car, as well as enough air conditioning for all seats to access. The car comes with wireless headphones and a digital screen in the back, for passengers to enjoy.

Melissa B

I like its features. I like the third row storage. I wish there was a better way to access the third row seating when ar seats are installed.

It has amazing safety features. It offers a smooth ride and great accessories such as a sunroof, DVD entertainment system, and passenger-controlled air system.

Abbie D

Great vehicle for families

With a growing family, this car has been amazing. We have room for two large car seats without needing to adjust the front two seats or sacrifice leg room. The seating is very comfortable and the trunk space is huge. This car has been very reliable, similar to our 2006 Honda Pilot which we still own.

Negative Owner Reviews

Felicia Sterling

Auto- off function is a nightmare

Not recommended. I luckily purchased the HondaCare warranty. Saved me thousands. Had to have alternator replaced in an effort to figure out the auto stop. Battery changed to figure out auto stop issue. Neither worked. Now my starter has failed. I've gone through a battery once a year for the last 2 yrs. My sun roof failed. My Sirius XM failed and HondaCare fixed it. Now my driver door malfunctions and I have to manual unlock it at times when I shut my car off. After two different Honda dealers couldn't fix the issue they just sent me home with the problem and my warranty expired. So now my starter has failed and I'm liable for the repair. This is a documented issue with other Pilots.

Linda S

Its garbage compared to the 2014.

It looks like a van. The touch screen is black it's horrible to keep clean. You can't set destinations while moving. No CD player its extra. Windows are not tinted.

Ruben Soto

Honda made as bad as Ford and Dodge. Should be embarrased

I always said if you want a reliable veh buy a Toyota, Honda, Subaru as tgey are reliable.Bought a 2012 CRV battery began dying after 1 yr (lemon). Told dealership I was going to go buy a Toyota they said let us make it right and conviced me to buy the Pilot. Battery didn't die after one year but after 2 1/2 years ck eng light goes on and had to replace. My dtr played club volleyball so traveled a bit and mileage was over warranty and wanted to charge me $1450 to replace. Talked Honda into paying most of it as tius shoukd not happen yo a new veh. Both sunvisors just broke and was qouted $275 to replace both of them. Should not happen on a 4 yr old veh. My wife drives this veh. Son drives 14 yr old Toyo Tacoma, Dtr drives 9 yr old Toyo Camry, I drive 17 yr Toyo Tundra and no problems only age old eear n tear. Won't buy a Honda again and don't recommend!!!

Wade goodall

Injector replacement

I had to replace the fuel injectors @ 76,000 miles. I’m finding out that Honda changed the injection configuration and it’s become a problem.the website piloteirs has 184 posts about this problem. I’m lucky to have gotten 70,000 miles.

Janet K

2016 Honda pilot touring review.

My Honda pilot gets good gas mileage. I like the third row to hold more passengers. It has a nice ride and comfortable seats. I do not like that it does not have a gear shift. Also, I do not like that the default is to have your car shut off while at a stop.

Jennifer E

The seat warmers don't work but the size is good and it handles well.

I like the size and how roomy it is. I hate the seat warmers. They barely work and Honda has told me they're fine. I also wish I had darker leather.

Melissa S

2017 pilot leaves much to be desired.

I love the look and style of the 2016 pilot, however it has had too many mechanical problems. First the back hatch kept breaking, and then the moon roof visor started vibrating. Now, at a little over 100k miles, the fuel injectors have to be replaced. Also note that part of the grill blew off, and the tire well trim came off. Also the interior inner door floor panel comes off very easily and never stays when put back on. Honda needs to work on their fit, finish and transmission: fuel injectors.

Jim M

Sr.

2016 is my 3rd Pilot. Somewhat dissatisfied with the transmission, bucks on long rides. Had it to the dealer twice they claim they couldn't find a problem (BS). The seats are not as cushioned & comfortable as the older models. Un-sure I will own a 4th??

What Do Critics Say About the Honda Pilot?

Consumer Reports says the 2016 Pilot lacks the engine refinement that made it sell well in the past, with lower owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds rates the Pilot at 3.6/5, praising the comfortable seats, but doesn’t like the overly sensitive collision warning system.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Pilot a 3.6/5 enjoying the high-tech features, but owners don’t like the expensive repair costs.

What Common Problems Does the 2016 Honda Pilot Have?

Common problems found on the 2016 Honda Pilot include the transmission sharking while shifting between gears, a lot of sensor issues, as well as the engine dying. Overall, these problems are more severe than other midsize SUVs from 2016, even though repair costs are average.

The transmission shaking or jerking while shifting between gears is a widespread complaint from owners at around 45,000 miles. There is a technical service bulletin which addresses some of the problems. They recommend flushing the torque converter and replacing the fluid. If this doesn’t fix the issue, then some owners have had the transmission rebuilt, costing around $3,000.

Sensor issues which lead to fault codes show up on a lot of Pilot models in the first 50,000 miles as well. There are several sensors which wear out as the SUV ages, and have to be replaced. Changing out sensors costs $100 to $600 depending on their location, since some are more complex to replace than others.

The engine dying while driving is another issue mentioned by some owners at around 40,000 miles. In some cases this is also an engine sensor issue, while in others there are camshaft problems. Replacing the camshaft is a very labor-intensive process which costs around $1,800.

There are 5 recalls on the 2016 Honda Pilot, which is similar to other midsize SUVs. The most serious recall covers the fuel tank, which may leak, although it only affects 136 models. Honda will replace the tank on the affected SUVs. Other recalls cover the hood latch, as well as software issues which are not as big of a concern once they’ve been fixed.

How Long Will the 2016 Honda Pilot Last?

A well-maintained 2016 Honda Pilot may last around 200,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than the highly-rated Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other midsize SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $457 per year.

Since many 2016 Honda Pilot models for sale have over 100,000 miles on them, buyers should be prepared to replace the A/C evaporator for $950, the control arm bushings costing $200, as well as the liftgate lock actuators which cost $220.

Stephanie C

I haven't experienced any real problems. Although I do keep up with all of the required maintenance and appreciate the fact that the car reminds me when it needs any service.

Esther R

It is a very reliable vehicle I have had no issues with it,I have only had issues with the key start remote but lucky it was covered under warranty.

Olu O

For as long as I have used it, I have not had any problems that is extraordinary. It is so reliable.

Rose C

Have not experienced any issues with my pilot. Only service I have received has been the standard required maintenance. Couldn't have asked for a more reliable SUV.

Kelly W

You buy Honda for its known reliability. I did happen to have a pilot with a defective fuel injector and bar. This was unfortunate and an expensive fix, however, even though my car was past its warranty, Honda did pay for half of the cost to repair it.

Lauren S

It is pretty reliable. I did have an engine issue about 10,000 miles ago. It was replaced with a newer engine. Then just normal wear and tear- needed new battery and new tires.

Randy C

The vehicle has been very reliable. I have had no problems to date. The GPS is awesome and the big sell for grandkids is the ability to play movies

Liz R

It's good the only problem is that the gas kind of gets used a little bit fast than other brand cars. In my experience.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is great in the 2016 Honda Pilot with a standard 5-inch display screen as well as an optional 8-inch touchscreen. Safety technology is also better than average with a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include the Honda Sensing Safety Package, which adds automatic braking, collision warnings, as well as lane keeping assistance.

Is the 2016 Honda Pilot a Good Value?

No, the 2016 Honda Pilot is not a good value since it has more expensive mechanical problems than other years. Blue book prices range from $18,325 to $25,475, making it cheaper than a Toyota 4Runner or Subaru Outback. When new, the price range was $30,345 to $46,770. Depreciation is similar to other midsize SUVs, losing 10% of its value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Honda Pilot?

There are five models of the Honda Pilot offered in 2016, from the base LX all the way up to the luxurious Elite.

LX is the entry-level model with:

18-Inch Alloy Wheels
Cloth Seating
Cruise Control
5-Inch Screen
Rearview Camera
Bluetooth Connectivity
7-Speaker Stereo System

EX is a step up, adding:

Fog Lights
LED Running Lights
Keyless Ignition & Entry
Remote Start
Blind Spot Monitoring
8-inch Touchscreen Stereo System

EX-L is next in the lineup with:

Leather Seating
Sunroof
Power Tailgate
Heated Front Seats
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror

Touring has more features such as:

Automatic Engine Start/Stop
Honda Sensing Safety Package
Second Row Sunshades
Ambient Interior Lighting
10-Speaker Stereo System

Elite is the flagship model which adds:

20-inch Wheels
Premium Leather Seating
Panoramic Sunroof
Heated Second Row Captain’s Chairs
LED Headlights

280 HP 22 MPG

View Details

280 HP 22 MPG

View Details

EX-L

280 HP 22 MPG

View Details

Touring

280 HP 23 MPG

View Details

Elite

280 HP 22 MPG

View Details

What Engines Come In the Honda Pilot?

The engine found in the 2016 Honda Pilot is a strong 3.5L V6 which makes 280 horsepower while getting up to 23 MPG. Performance is better than average, taking only 6.4 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH. However, the towing capacity is low at up to 3,500 pounds for the front wheel drive model, and 5,000 pounds with the all-wheel drive version.

What Colors Does the Honda Pilot Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Honda Pilot?

The 2016 Honda Pilot is one of the most comfortable midsize SUVs on the market offering seating for 7 to 8 people, depending on the configuration. The seats are extremely nice offering excellent support for longer drives.

Passenger room is fantastic in all three rows with enough legroom for adults. The optional second row captain’s chairs are also very nice for fitting adults in the second row.

How Much Storage Space Does the Honda Pilot Have?

Cargo space is good for a midsize SUV with enough space for 3-4 suitcases behind the third row, 10-12 behind the second, and over 20 with all the seats folded flat.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The third generation of the Honda Pilot launched in 2016, and is still being made as of 2022.

2014: No major changes.

2015: Introduction of the SE model between EX and EX-L models.

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

2017: Apple CarPlay & Android Auto standard on models with the 8-inch touchscreen stereo.

2018: No major changes.

2019: Small exterior styling changes, standard Honda Sensing safety software, improved stereo system.

2020: New Black Edition model added with more luxurious interior.

How Does the Honda Pilot Compare to the Competition?

The Honda Pilot ranked well when it was new, although a lot of mechanical problems have shown up as it’s aged, making it a year buyers should avoid.

The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV which costs around $2,000 more. Reliability ratings are better on the Toyota Highlander, while the Honda Pilot has more room in its third row to easily fit taller adults. We recommend the Toyota Highlander for 2016 since there are fewer expensive problems reported.

The Acura MDX is a more luxurious midsize SUV which costs $1,500 more. Both the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot are built on the same platform, while technology and interior materials are nicer in the Acura MDX. We recommend staying away from both models for 2016 since they have the same engine and transmission problems.

Ranks #6 Midsize SUV by Owners

2016 Toyota 4Runner

4.71

Tie

2016 Ford Flex

4.7

2016 Honda Pilot

4.61

Do Owners Recommend the Honda Pilot?

Stephanie C

Yes. It is very good. It fits my large family and driving needs. It has many extras that my whole family loves.

Esther R

Yes so far has been a good vehicle it is just a lot on gas if I do not use the green saver button then I use lots of gas.

Olu O

Yes it is a good SUV to drive, it has enough space whether it is to lift people or supplies. And its average on fuel consumption.

Rose C

Very much so. On my second pilot and wouldn't drive any other SUV. Lots of room, good gas mileage, smooth ride. Has the right amount of controls that do not overwhelm you. Love the heated seats, and side window defrost along with being able to multi control heat and cool.

Kelly W

This vehicle potentially saved my life. The safety features are wonderful and I am so grateful for the auto brake sensor that braked the car before I had the chance to. There are also airbags throughout the vehicle. Though I am impressed with the gas mileage this SUV gets it did take a few weeks to adjust to the nine speed transmission. I now love it. This is a solid car with great features like push button start/stop and touch screen system. I highly recommend this vehicle.

Lauren S

For the most part. It has 127,000 miles on it so far. Had an engine issue about 10,000 miles ago. But overall, it is a good, sturdy vehicle.

Taylor J

I love my pilot. It is an elite and I love the captain's chairs. I had a CR-V prior to this car and I had it for 11 years. T is a huge reason for getting another Honda plus we needed an additional seat since we went from 3 to 4 grandkids and 6 peeps wouldn't fit in the CR-V

Audra F

Yes the Honda Pilot 2016 is a very good vehicle. I would recommend it to other people for sure. Quality is good

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Gary M. Franz on August 13, 2023

Excellent vehicle

Found much of the article inaccurate as far as my 2016 Pilot Elite with 61,000 miles.. Other than normal maintainence of oil changes, tires and rotation, and a 12v battery after 51/2 yrs., we have not had any mechanical issues... Took the car in to have the brakes replaced for the 1st time and was told there was at least another 10K before it was necessary... We are extremely happy with our trouble free 2016 Pilot Elite...

Tarun on February 19, 2024

We are very happy with our purchase of EXL, now has 143K miles

We purchased a new 2016 Honda Pilot EXL AWD and it currently has 143K miles. It runs just like it did when we bought it. Apart from recommended oil change, timing belt service, battery, tire and brake change and few Honda recalls we have not done any other repairs. It is quiet, looks good on exterior - paint etc and all interior systems, stereo and gauges work well. We are very happy with it. Gives 26MPG on highway

Jim M on February 8, 2022

Sr.

Pauline T on June 25, 2021

My dependable Honda pilot.

My Honda pilot is a good strong running car. It is well made & dependable. I have never had any major problems with it. I can count on it to get me where I need to go. It is a good smooth ride. It is a well made car. It has good safe features and this is one of the main reasons I purchased this car.

Marico S on June 25, 2021

My thoughts on the Honda pilot.

It is a great vehicle and I haven't have any problem. It drive great has great gas mileage. Comfortable and sit me and my family well love all of the features that it has. All in all I would recommend the Honda pilot for all families. Great for room and storage.

Michael R on June 24, 2021

Great car. Great for families.

Reliable, low maintenance, drives well. Originally leased. Loved it so much, bought the lease out. Over the course of 5+ years, the car has required minimal work. Oil changes, tune ups, new tires. But not much else. Love Honda’s. I foresee the car lasting many more years, and then it is on to a new Honda, likely another pilot. Would be ideal if Honda made a bigger truck.

Sadwantie S on June 20, 2021

Good family car for long trips. Love to drive and easy to park.

I love driving it is so smooth. My only problem is that sometimes the trunk does not open and the paint come out if you pressure clean the car. And is reliable. Engine perfect. Is more than for 10 people. Doors open good. Easy to drive. Difficult to set up the radio fia Bluetooth.

Michael H on June 20, 2021

Honda pilots are a great car, any Honda is great.

This is my second pilot and it runs great, I have had a great experience with Honda’s in general. I am very satisfied with this car. Maintenance is very reasonable, drives smooth, no complaints. I am very happy with my choice of vehicle, I would pick this car again.

Alicia W on June 9, 2021

Honda pilot, am honest review.

The Honda pilot is very reliable and I haven't had any significant issues. It is large and comfortable. The storage is lacking when the third row is up. If you want to take the car on vacation than a roof rack compartment is necessary for my family of five. The access to the third row is not ideal either, the second row is not easy to move forward to get into the third row.

Brenda H on June 7, 2021

The Honda's overall drive smoothly and are extremely dependable cars.

I have always bought Honda however the 2016 Honda pilot does not perform like my past Honda's which I rate them as outstanding across the board! The comfort is acceptable however the pickup on the vehicle is hesitating. I have taken it for repairs repeatedly and it has the same problem. The customer rep. At Honda stated it is that year because the motor was changed. I just find it has a lot of transmission jerking which is basically driving me crazy.

Kristen L on June 6, 2021

Check starter every oil change.

Vehicle auto start causes starter to wear out quickly. It look over 9 months for Honda to diagnose/fix the problem. Meanwhile my vehicle would stall at lights and stop signs frequently. (and this is an automatic!!) Also middle row does not lay down flat making it difficult to transport anything large.

Tashia M on May 23, 2021

Great just make sure you get an extended warranty.

The car is overall great, however we have had consistent problems with fuel injectors and other engine light warnings that turned on right after the factory warranty, luckily we purchased the extended warranty or we would have been out thousands of dollars.

Tiffiany C on May 16, 2021

Likes and issues of the Honda pilot 2016 model.

Love that it has a third row however it does not seat adults very well. I bought the car used and have had brake system problems and fuel injection issues. Another feature I like is the arm rest are moveable. This is very helpful when taking long distance trips.

Maurine E on April 26, 2021

It rides smoothly, has leather seats, and automatic tailgate lift.

We have no real problems. Occasionally a bumper warning light will come on for no obvious reason. But it usually corrects itself in a day or two. The other complaint I have is the lower level heat does not put out enough heat in cold weather. This is a manufacturing defect.

Jim A on April 26, 2021

Audio system needs to redesigned.

Vehicle is great. Only issue is the audio system. It has a terrible interface. When devices are plugged in, map audio does not always play. When a call comes in and phone is connected, the system gets out of sync. Only way to rest is shutting off the car and restarting it.

Beth B on April 26, 2021

If I knew it would saved me a lot of time.

I love my pilot. The only issue I have ever had is when the mileage gets above 50,000 you have to start having the transmission fluid changed every 15,000 miles or the vehicle surges going down the road. Once you know this and apply the rule no issues at all!

elizabeth I on April 24, 2021

Features of the Honda pilot.

The car rides smooth, has lots of legroom for our 3 teens. Has great touch screen features for radio and navigation. Great storage options in the trunk with extra lift up area. Needed service once for an alignment issue, it was easily corrected. Great traction in the rainy weather.

mel P on April 19, 2021

Reliable, spacious family SUV.

The 2016 Honda pilot is a great reliable family car. Plenty of room with three car seats in the middle as well as plenty of storage in the back. The third row seating is very spacious! Every car I have owned has been a Honda because they are so reliable!

Naphisa J on April 9, 2021

Nice features good for families. Nice for long tips.

Love the 3rd row, the performance level, and smooth driving. It is greg’s because it has Bluetooth. It had compartment under trunk for more storage. I like the controls on the steering wheel. It lets you when you need an oil change. I like the gray color. It hides a lot. Nice middle console.

Abi F on April 6, 2021

Honda pilot is perfect for family use!

So far I have no problems with my car. I love all the features it is details, it is performance on the road. Very reliable and perfect for big family. Honda pilot offers a comfortable ride and adult-friendly seating in all three rows, it is smooth ride, adult-friendly seating and has respectable cargo.Room.

Erin B on April 6, 2021

Honda pilot saved my life - it is the best vehicle!

I love how roomy the pilot is. I love that I can fit 8 people comfortably - even the back row is not as cramped as other vehicles that I tried. I love that I can lay the 2nd and 3rd row down and have a huge area to hull things around if need be. I also love how safe it is! I previously had a pilot and was involved in a major accident and the pilot saved my life!! So when I went purchasing for a new vehicle, nothing was comparable! I got another pilot!! It just is the best vehicle that I have ever had! It works so well with a larger family!!

s r on April 4, 2021

It is reliable and practical car for a family like ours.

I like the drive and size, but not thrilled about the upholstery and mileage

Clare S on April 2, 2021

Honda pilot, I like the features.

I love my car. It is my first car that starts without me having to put the key in, I just push a button. I also like how I can plug my phone in and play music on my phone on the car's speakers. It is very reliable. After a couple years though my average mpg has started to go down to about 19 mpg after 4 years of owning the car.

Oneaka R on March 31, 2021

Summary of my your vehicle.

The struts are bad overall runs good. I get the oil changed regularly. My boys and I fit well and the third row seat come in handy. My sons are able to watch movies while they ride in the car keeping communications down to a minimum. The seats heat up during the winter time when it is very cold outside. There are also shades that cover the back windows from direct sunlight.

Eric M on March 30, 2021

The Honda pilot is amazing!

We drive our pilot everywhere and have not had any issues. We taken the pilot on long trips and it has never let us down. We are thrilled to have a trustworthy car that you can take on 1,000 mile trips and know your family is safe. The reliability of Honda is in full force with the pilot. Along with being reliable the pilot is comfortable for the whole family.

Cheyenne E on March 30, 2021

Love my 2016 Gray Honda Pilot!

Very spacious and holds up to 7 people Total. Perfect family car! I did not want a minivan but wanted something accommodating for a family of 4. The vehicle includes many wonderful features like back up camera, touch screen radio/monitor and built in television screen.

Christi W on March 29, 2021

I just absolutely love the heated leather seats, so good for my back.

Have had absolutely no problems whatsoever! Couldn’t have asked for a better vehicle. Roomy and love the 3rd row seating. The front heated seats are wonderful for traveling. We’ve had ours since it was brand new and I just love it. The only problem is the light colored leather shows dirt easily.

Heather W on March 27, 2021

Very good if it is what you are looking for.

In terms of performance and reliability, it is good. It drives relatively smoothly. Because it is a big car, it can hold up to eight people and many large items that normally would not fit in a small car. However, this comes with a cost. It does take up quite a bit of space, and it easily uses up gas. This is understandable, and can be looked past by car buyers who want a car like this. It is overall not a bad car at all. Its cost depreciates at a slower rate than other cars, so that is also something to note.

Julie T on March 26, 2021

Reliable vehicle with lots of room.

It runs well, I am not thrilled with the gas mileage. No major repairs needed and it has plenty of space for my family and our belongings. I find it a bit large though as I am a short person and reaching items in the back is difficult. It has a lot of safety features that I enjoy.

Oz B on March 26, 2021

The benefits of the Honda pilot.

Excellent family sized vehicle with great options and great interior. It has an excellent gas range and my kids love having a TV and 3rd row seating option we equipped our vehicle with. I would highly recommend the Honda pilot model to all. Especially white with black leather interior.

Elizabeth S on March 25, 2021

I like the Honda because it has rear view backing out cameras.

It has good traction, space, good for families. It looks really nice on the inside and out. It has good audio service with Pandora but I would want to have a cd player which it does not have.

Carol R on March 24, 2021

I would purchase this car again.

No problems it has been quite reliable features include heated seats drivers and front passenger, navigation system, Bluetooth enabled, all wheel drive, DVD player, 3rd row seating, leather seating, and lumbar support driver seat. It provides a very comfortable ride. Sensors are triggered when rear and sides approach too near obstacles. Front seats are heated and rear seats are air conditioners with separate controls.

Jonelle B on March 21, 2021

Family of 4 including twins, approved!

I am a mom to 3 yr old twins boys, and our Honda pilot definitely fits our busy lifestyle. For long rides we have space for the car seats and stroller. The headrest DVD players make things so much easier when traveling. All together the car is spacious enough for a family of 4 and the gas mileage is great.

Leanne T on March 19, 2021

Honda pilot-great for families.

I love the space the Honda pilot provides. I had three kids under 3 years old which means three car seats and there is plenty of space for everything. They are a little older now, but they can easily access the third row where one sits. I also have space for other people to ride with me thanks to the third row! I always feel like the kids and I are safe and no major problems even at 115,000+ miles.

Ali B on March 19, 2021

The mpg is decent it could be better.

It is very comfortable. The back is very spacious. The driving is very smooth. Great handling. Amazing design.

Denise M on March 12, 2021

Honda pilot touring 3 out of 5.

I do not like how it starts and stops when I pull up to a stop sign or drive thru window. It does have a lot of room for passengers and it gets good gas mileage. The hood on it shakes like it is going to fly open when I am driving down the road. It is not going too just looks like it.

AJ I on March 11, 2021

2016 Honda pilot: more pros than cons.

There are a few features of my 2016 Honda pilot that are fantastic: auto door lock, side view camera, lane assist, and auto tailgate. There is one feature of my pilot that is absolutely horrible: the seat warmers do not get warm. (according to the service dept at the dealer, this is intentional by the manufacturer and is meant to get only 'barely warm'). I like the size of the pilot; it is big enough to fit both my 6'3' dad and my 6'4' son in the 2nd row. The 3rd row is comfortable for my son's friends too. The pilot is high enough off the ground for good visibility while driving, and to minimize the pain and discomfort to my knees while getting in or out.

Scott F on March 11, 2021

A lot of technology and a smooth ride combine to make the Pilot a winner.

The Honda Pilot has plenty of space for five people and a bunch of stuff or seven people with a little bit of stuff. It gets decent gas mileage and has plenty of power to make getting on a highway easy.

Laura G on March 11, 2021

Reliable SUV with optional 3rd row. Perfect car for out of town family.

Windshield cracked within a month of purchase and it does not have all the bells & features. I wish that it was a little bit longer and the trunk space is very small with all 3 rows up. Overall though, we like the reliability and how it handles the road.

Jida B on March 9, 2021

Spacious Honda pilot car!

The car takes up a bit of too much gas but I really love the space and the interior inside. I have the 2016 model and I do not see the reason for an upgrade when it does the same things as the new cars. If you have a family, then this is the one for you!

John J on March 8, 2021

The sensor on the truck is very good.

Like the feel how it drives. I like the sensor on the interstate. I like the back up and single camera.

Krystal S on March 7, 2021

Amazing family car, we love it!

I love all of the safety features of the car: parking assist, blind spot view, back up camera. Currently I have taken the car on 2 separate road trips and it has been super comfortable and reliable! The 3 rows provide great space for my kids and they love the blu ray player! Overall this has been an amazing addition to our family.

Lawrence P on March 6, 2021

Seats family of 6 comfortable.

The vehicle is good on gas and long drives. We've had the SUV for 1 year now and we are surprised by the comfort and features it possesses with 4 kids. Its spacious so it seats 6 persons comfortable. It is always is very reliable, we haven't had any major problems as we have kept up with the maintenance. The only problem I have it's the chair covers if you have kids please get leather seats. Any spills sinks right into the fabric so we have to replace the entire backseat and its quite costly. Overall it has proven to be a good vehicle.

Kahli P on March 4, 2021

It gets great gas mileage on the eco mode. About 29 mpg on the highway.

I have a Honda Pilot. It is very comfortable and roomy. It is fully loaded and feels like a luxury vehicle. My only complaint is that it is hard to get to the third row seating.

Emily P on March 4, 2021

It seats 8 people quite comfortably. It is safe and drives well in all Circumstances

I like that I can fit my family of five and others if needed. I like the sound system and I like that I'm higher up when driving. It is a safe a reliable vehicle that I enjoy driving. It is comfortable as well.

Charity C on March 3, 2021

Only thing wrong with the pilot.

The only problem that we do not like about the Honda pilot is the touch screen. They have all the volume and media on the touch screen, which is complicated. There is also a lot of button on the steering wheel which does not help and only looks messy.

Patty S on March 1, 2021

Great car for large groups.

This car is very reliable- we've had no problems with it. We like that it is very spacious and easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The interior is very nice and hold up well with very little wear and tear. The features of the car such as the dash system are very nice.

Kristina A on March 1, 2021

Honda pilot: your new family vehicle.

This car is everything I dreamed of. It has great visibility in the “blind spot” that most crossovers/SUVs are really lacking. It has wonderful safety reviews. My husband can fit well without feeling cramped, our son has room for his car seat in the middle. 3rd row seating for when we need it (lays flat for more trunk room when we do not need the seating). Drives well with good gas mileage for the size of the car (22-24 mpg). Only issue so far is the rear air conditioner has broken but this is currently covered under our warranty. I really do recommend this car to anyone with a child or children. I do not even mind the monthly payment because it is so worth it.

Les P on March 1, 2021

Everything we need in a car!

We love our Honda pilot. There is plenty of room for kids to sit in the 3rd row of seats (which is not the case in some of the SUVs we tried). The rear and middle row seats fold flat making it possible to fit a lot of cargo in if needed. Besides basic maintenance, we have had no problems with our pilot. It is reliable and smooth to drive. We like the economy feature where you can choose to use less power and get better gas mileage. The car has plenty of power and is comfortable to ride in.

Bob S on February 28, 2021

Perfect family vehicle for a family of 5

Haven't had one problem from it, it has been the perfect family vehicle. It has all the room and pros of a minivan but is more like an suv.

Krista W on February 27, 2021

Roomy and spacious-drives nice.

I love the side view camera when I have my right blinker on. I love that it has a lot of room and 8 people fit comfortably. The downside is I always feel like I am filling up the gas tank. There was also issue with the warning lights coming on-turns out it was a sensor issue.

Erin D on February 26, 2021

The gas mileage is great for an SUV.

I love how roomy it is and the ride is very smooth. It's great on gas mileage. I love the backup camera feature. I have no complaints.

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.