HondaPilot

　　

2024 Honda Pilot Review

byJared GallCorrespondent

　　Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at zzdcar and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.

　　The Honda Pilot has long been a favorite in the full-size three-row crossover class. A thorough redesign for 2023 distanced it visually from the Odyssey with which it shares its platform, but the Pilot still packs much of the practicality of a minivan. It's spacious, with a wealth of storage cubbies and smart details like second-row seats that slide forward at the touch of a button to help little ones access the back seat. And all three rows are comfortable, though the way back gets snug for adults. The revised V6 is powerful enough for a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds yet still relatively fuel-efficient. Like Honda's best-selling CR-V, the Pilot just seems to do everything well, with no fuss or fanfare.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$169/mo  for Pilot LX

　　Pilot LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $37,090 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $39,190 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $39,600 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $41,700 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $42,400 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $42,700 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $44,500 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $44,800 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $46,900 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $49,000 MSRPTrailSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $48,800 MSRPElite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $52,480 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　But others in the class are zeroing in on Honda's formula — and throwing in some fanfare for buyers who want it. Vehicles like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride twins and the Mazda CX-90 match the Pilot on many fronts while offering a more luxurious feel. If space and versatility are your only priorities, the Pilot delivers. But buyers looking for something more upscale will find compelling alternatives in this class. Read on for our Expert Review of the 2024 Honda Pilot.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Pilot drive? Driving the Pilot is a mixed bag. The V6 sounds snarly when you step on the gas, but actual acceleration is only average. At the zzdcar test track, our Pilot TrailSport test vehicle managed the 0-60 mph run in 7.8 seconds. The transmission is overly busy, especially around town. That can also make the Pilot feel overly eager and sensitive to gas pedal inputs when accelerating from a stop. Braking is smooth, but the pedal is soft and numb, and we found the Pilot's emergency stopping distances to be longer than average.

　　For adventurous families, the Pilot TrailSport is one of the more capable three-row crossovers for light off-road duty thanks to its extra ground clearance. The all-wheel-drive system is another upside. In addition to the expected boost in traction for icy or snowy roads, it can also redistribute the V6's power to make the Pilot considerably more nimble around turns. However, the steering is light and lacks feel, and it provides no real sense of what's going on with the road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Pilot? The front seats and optional second-row captain's chairs are pleasantly soft without giving up support. The front seats lack the level of adjustability some competitors offer, so not everybody will get the most comfort out of them. The Pilot's suspension smooths out most bumps with ease, but certain types of uneven pavement can feel sharp and a bit loud in the cabin.

　　On the whole, wind, road and engine noise is low but the cabin isn't quite as quiet as top-rated competitors like the Kia Telluride. The climate system is simple to adjust and powerful enough for the large cabin. All three rows get vents, but vent placement for the second and third rows isn't optimal. Third-row vents in particular are placed by the armrests, so adults will get airflow to their hands.

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