The Honda Pilot is considered a minivan by some, yet it still belongs solidly in the SUV category. Honda’s Pilot strikes a wonderful balance between rough and elegant aesthetics, boasting a smoother and more streamlined shape than some of the more boxy and off-road oriented SUVs on the market.
The Odyssey minivan has a clean look, but the 2021 Honda Pilot sits higher and has more ground clearance for any off-road adventures. Additionally, it lacks the traditional characteristic of the Honda Odyssey minivan: sliding back doors.
The 2021 Honda Odyssey or 2021 Honda Pilot are both excellent choices if you’re looking for a three-row car that’s suitable for families. Each of these highly regarded and exquisite Honda vehicles offers up to eight seats, the security of standard Honda Sensing safety features, and a host of other cutting-edge Honda amenities.
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What qualifies as a Honda Pilot?
Honda has been making the Pilot, a mid-size crossover SUV with three rows of seating, since 2002.
[3] The Honda Pilot is the company’s largest SUV, and it is primarily marketed at North American consumers. Up until April 2007, the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario, but is now made in Lincoln, Alabama. The Pilot of the first generation went on sale as a 2003 model in April 2002. [4]
The Acura MDX and Odyssey minivan for the North American market both use the same platform as the Honda Pilot. The Pilot’s independent suspension and unibody construction are made to give it car-like handling, and its integrated perimeter frame rails enable towing and light off-road use.
Honda sold the little crossover CR-V and the Honda Passport before the Pilot was released (a rebadgedIsuzu Rodeo). Truck-based in form, the Honda Passport was marketed between 1993 and 2002. Despite the 2010 Crosstour’s length victory over the Pilot, the Pilot is still Honda’s largest SUV. [5]
Period the Honda MDX (first generation Acura MDX) was for a while offered in Japan and Australia, the Pilot is sold in North America and the Middle East. Furthermore, South Korea, Latin America, the Philippines, Russia, and the Ukraine all sell the second-generation Pilot.
The Honda Pilot is a van, right?
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Most people under 30 generally detest minivans. It’s simple to see why: they carry the stereotype that you’re a responsible parent who must put diaper runs, grocery runs, and after-school activities before the exciting antics of young adult life. It denotes that as you take on the duty of a parent and caretaker, your youth and all of its wild excitement are now metaphorically in the backseat. What if the minivan segment wasn’t have to be so abhorrent, though? What if there existed a vehicle like the 2022 Honda Pilot to change the negative connotations associated with minivans?
In many ways, the Pilot has been one of the few important SUVs on the market that flirts with crossover territory in order to appeal to the minivan sector. Although it is still an SUV, it has many of the features and practicalities of a typical minivan, including third-row seating. The Honda Pilot aims to preserve much of what makes minivans useful while also remaining young enough to not turn away buyers who are afraid of aging, whereas many automobile buyers find themselves completely avoiding the minivan category.
Odyssey or Pilot, which is larger?
The 2021 Pilot and Odyssey both exhibit versatility and contemporary design. Power sliding doors on the Odyssey minivan make it easier to load and unload your young passengers. Both models simplify your life by providing:
- sensors for parking
- Outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators and power and auto-dimming.
- automatic power moonroof
- automatic motorized liftgate
- fog lamps and headlights made with LED
The 2021 Odyssey’s overall length is 205.2 inches, and its wheelbase is 118.1 inches. With a wheelbase of 111 inches and a length of 196.5 inches, the 2021 Pilot is a little bit shorter. Additionally, it provides 7.3 inches of ground clearance for your upcoming family outing.
Which is larger, a passport or a Honda Pilot?
The size is one of the greatest distinctions between the Honda Pilot and Passport. Greater in size than the passport is the Pilot. The Pilot has up to eight seats, while the Passport has five.
The two-row Honda Passport has 114.9 cubic feet of overall passenger volume and up to 100.8 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the first row. With 152.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 109 cubic feet of luggage volume, the three-row Pilot is about 6 inches longer than the Passport. Visit our Honda dealership to test drive these SUVs, then register for Honda rebates and lease offers.
Key Points
- The Honda Pilot is a dependable and reasonably priced SUV that, while not the most thrilling car on the road, should satisfy the ordinary driver for a decade or more of devoted service and can easily travel over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
- The Pilot’s track record of dependability has one flaw: In 2013, a class action lawsuit involving an engine problem impacting more than 1.6 million automobiles was resolved. The 3.5-liter V6 engine used in 2009–2013 Pilots may malfunction or burn excessive amounts of oil, according to the lawsuit.
- In a recent survey of the cars most likely to travel 200,000 miles, the Honda brand came in second. Although the Honda Odyssey minivan, which has the same platform as the Pilot, was listed in the study’s list of 16 cars projected to reach that mileage milestone, the Pilot was not.
- The average annual repair cost for more recent Pilots is $542, which is less expensive than the Ford Explorer’s average annual repair cost of $732.
- Less than 100 complaints on vehicles from 2014 and later indicate that the Pilot has been a reliable vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A midsize SUV is the Honda Pilot.
The Honda Pilot is a solid midsize SUV, that much is true. With three rows of comfortable seats, a sizable load area, and a high-quality cabin, it succeeds on almost all counts.
A Honda Pilot—is it a truck?
One of the most well-liked automobiles in its class is the Honda Pilot. It didn’t get popularity by accident either; it worked hard for it. The roomy crossover from Honda has a V6 engine, gets 20 city and 27 highway mpg, and is well-equipped from base to top trim levels. There is even an off-road-oriented model dubbed TrailSport for the upcoming model year. The Elite or Black Edition models, which have a suggested retail price of roughly $50,000, are available for those seeking a high-end, luxurious experience.
Honda refers to the Pilot as an SUV, but it is actually a crossover. Whether a car or truck platform is used determines whether it qualifies as a crossover or an SUV. The 2022 Honda Pilot is a crossover since it, like many that came before it, is built on a car base.
A minivan or an SUV has greater space.
With an average of five more inches of legroom in the third row, minivans often offer greater space than the standard three-row SUV. This is significant if you have a large family, older children, or frequently transport different generations in your vehicle (you don’t want granny crammed in the rear).
Does Odyssey’s powerplant match that of the Pilot’s?
The 3.5L V6 engine in the 2022 Honda Odyssey and Pilot generates 280 horsepower. Similar fuel economy results are produced by this powerful engine in both versions. The Pilot features a greater maximum towing capacity and offers Intelligent Variable Torque ManagementTM all-wheel drive (AWD).
Honda Pilot
- 2880 horsepower
- Automatic nine-speed transmission
- Maximum Towing Weight: 5,000 lbs.
- Drivetrain: FWD vs. AWD
- Motor: 3.5L V6
- 20/27 MPG (city/highway)
- : 262 lb.-ft. of torque
Honda Odyssey
- Highway/city MPG: 19/28
- Automatic ten-speed transmission
- Transmission: FWD
- 3,500 lbs. of towing capacity.
*2WD trims have a 20 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg rating. AWD grades get a 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg rating. based on EPA mileage ratings for 2022. Use just for purposes of comparison. Your mileage will vary based on how you handle and care for your car, the road’s conditions, and other elements.
The mpg rating is **19 city/28 highway/22 combined. based on EPA mileage ratings for 2022. Use just for purposes of comparison. Your mileage will vary based on how you handle and care for your car, the road’s conditions, and other elements.
Honda Odyssey: An SUV or a van?
A three-row minivan with eight seats is called the Odyssey. Every row offers roomy, comfortable seating, and even the third row has enough for people.
What is the Honda Pilot’s main issue?
The transmission breakdown issue is likely the most significant of all the issues Honda Pilots encounter. Fortunately, this issue mostly affects the 2003 model. Other Pilot models have seen a few rare transmission failure incidences, though.
Is a Honda Pilot purchase worthwhile?
A staple of the midsize 3-row SUV/crossover class since 2022, the Honda Pilot. Practically everything it does is correct. It has a solid, secure, and dependable cabin that can accommodate up to eight people and is roomy and well-equipped. It can even engage in a little light off-roading.
A Honda Pilot will depreciate 27% after 5 years and have a 5 year resale value of $32,882.
Pilots have been a fantastic vehicle overall. But as parents shuttle soccer teams, scout units, and everyone else to and from practice, the beach, and other locations, their owners push them hard. Although they will always exist, pilots usually experience some major wear and tear. Grab one if you can find one that is clean and reasonably priced.
The anticipated depreciation over the following ten years is shown in the figure below. These outcomes apply to cars that travel 12,000 miles annually on average and are in good condition. Additionally, it counts on a $45,001 initial selling price. Enter the purchase price, anticipated length of ownership, and yearly mileage estimate. The Honda Pilot’s anticipated resale value can be determined using our depreciation calculator.
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which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Honda Pilot?
The information above makes it evident that the Toyota Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in every category, including safety features and fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a much better choice if you’re searching for a three-row SUV that is incredibly dependable in this situation.
Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot, which vehicle is larger?
Midsize SUVs with three rows of seating are now the go-to choice for families with four or more children. Customers who purchase in this class may anticipate plenty of room for passengers and cargo, a wide range of convenience amenities, and (for the most part) simple car-seat installation.
Two of the most popular options for a crossover SUV with a third row are the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The 2022 Honda Pilot and 2022 Toyota Highlander are comparable in size and interior space, other from that. Both come with a typical V6 engine. Toyota also has a hybrid Highlander available for those looking for improved gas mileage.
This 2022 Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander comparison will aid in your decision-making if you’re torn between the two vehicles.
Which SUV is Honda’s largest?
The new 2021 Honda Pilot is not only the largest SUV in Honda’s remarkable lineup, but it is also the only one featuring a third row of seats. The CR-V, HR-V, and Passport are all fantastic vehicles in their own right, but if size is what you’re after, the Pilot is the best option.