Pros

• The first and second rows are good.
• Freight and storage are ample.
• Simple-to-use tools

Cons

• Touchscreen interfaces need more.
• Adults dislike third-row seating.
• Insufficient speed and stopping power

The Pilot’s driving? The Pilot is tricky. The V6 engine growls when you accelerate, but it goes fast. Our Pilot TrailSport test car reached 60 mph in 7.8 seconds at Invoice Pricing. City broadcasts are abundant. This could also make the Pilot oversensitive to the gas pedal while starting from a standstill. The brake pedal is soft and numb, but stopping is smooth. In an emergency, the Pilot took longer to stop than typical.

The Pilot TrailSport is a top three-row crossover for active families who appreciate light off-roading. It has better ground clearance. The method’s four-wheel compatibility is another benefit. It may shift power from the V6 to make the Pilot turn easier and improve traction in icy or snowy conditions. However, light and sensitive driving gives the driver limited road knowledge.

What are the Pilot’s feelings? The optional second-row and front captain’s chairs are comfortable and supportive. The front seats are less pleasant than the rivals’ because they’re less flexible. The Pilot’s suspension absorbs most bumps, but uneven footing can make the ride noisy and unpleasant.

Wind, road, and motor noise are rare. The Kia Telluride’s cabin is quieter. The cabin’s large area fits the powerful, easy-to-change temperature system. The second and third rows’ vents need to be better placed. The third row’s arm-level vents will cool adults.

The interior? The Pilot’s first two rows are spacious. It has enough storage and a better perspective than other cars in its class. The 2018 Pilot has fewer buttons than previous versions, but we like that Honda didn’t hide the most-used settings behind a touchscreen menu like other SUVs.

Small children can get in and out of second-row seats with simple settings. Most individuals can reach the third row since the seats go so far. The Pilot’s front and second rows provide plenty of space and headroom. The Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas have superb third rows. The floor is high, and the second-row seats leave little room for adults’ feet.

Tech quality? Most of the Pilot’s valuable technology needs to be updated. The 9-inch screen looks puny in the large cabin, but the cell phone-connected entertainment system works promptly. We miss the Accord’s 12.3-inch screen. A wireless pad charges. One USB-C port exists. Phones, tablets, and computers with fast charging options are limited to USB-A.

The Honda Pilot has several driver-assist features. Lane-keeping aid keeps the car in its lane when travelling slowly. Adaptive cruise control works nicely at highway speeds but not in traffic. In our tests, it was too slow to respond to unexpected traffic stops, so the driver had to aid. It doesn’t save time because you must push a steering wheel or gas pedal button to start it after even the shortest stop.

Are they storing things? Even though the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Buick Enclave have larger trunks, the Honda Pilot offers enough adjustable baggage and small storage for a good family hauler. Because there is no power-folding third row, the 50/50-split third-row seats are straightforward to remove and create a vast but not best-in-class area. More significant things can slide in and out of the elevated bottom. Loading and unloading are easy.

The Pilot stores little items well. The centre armrest has a wide tray, box, and small compartments for front seat passengers. Every seat in the front and back doors includes multiple trays, pockets, and 40-ounce water bottle cupholders.

The Pilot TrailSport’s second-row bench seat’s centre seat could be removed and stored beneath the trunk floor. It’s fantastic for moving chairs to suit your needs on any particular day. LATCH hooks for all three second-row seats make the Pilot unique among SUVs.

Is it gas efficient? EPA forecasts that a Pilot with all-wheel drive will get 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway) while one with front-wheel purpose would score 22. Our Pilot TrailSport test car averaged 22 mpg on the Invoice Pricing test route, which should exceed EPA standards. This is comparable to the finest V6 competitors but is slower and less efficient than the class-leading turbocharged four-cylinder Toyota Highlander.

The Pilot, is it fair? The Pilot offers many valuable features and a comfy interior composed of thick, sturdy plastics. While competitors with significantly higher trims employ more soft-touch materials, the Pilot appears to be made for family life. Use wipes to clean up the inside.

Most competitors provide more features for the same price. Even at the highest trim level, Telluride costs more and has fewer features than its competitors. Kia and Hyundai warranties are more extended.

The Pilot’s off-road capability makes it more enticing. Still, it needs clarification about its identity. Honda worked hard to create a fast, rugged, and family-friendly SUV. This strategy is “jack of all trades, master of none.” The Pilot is an average film.

Honda has yet to announce the 2024 Pilot. Based on last year’s Pilot, we recommend the EX-L. A 9-inch touchscreen, leather seats, wireless smartphone hookups, and an automatic liftgate are essential improvements that cost more than the Sport grade. For active folks who need recovery hooks, the Trail sport grade has an extra inch of ground clearance, primary all-wheel drive, and other amenities.

Honda Pilot.

Three-row SUV Honda Pilot seats eight. Choose from the LX, Sport, EX-L, Trail Sport, Touring, or Elite. Each car has an automated 10-speed transmission and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive is standard. However, an all-wheel drive can be installed.