Honda's preparing the next generation of its mid-size three-row SUV, a vehicle that's been integral to the company's model line since the early 2000s.
The Honda Pilot arrives for 2003 to compete against an increasing assortment of mid-size SUVs. This includes the likes of the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Trailblazer. Unlike those models, which utilize body-on-frame construction, the Pilot uses a car-like unibody structure derived from the Honda Odyssey minivan and shared with the Acura MDX SUV that Honda’s luxury arm released two model years earlier.
Due to this, the Pilot’s on-road driving experience is noticeably better than its truck-ish competition. Standard all-wheel-drive ensures Honda’s boxy mid-size model includes a modicum off-pavement capability.
A 240-hp 3.5-liter V-6 is the sole engine option and it mates to a five-speed automatic gearbox. The combination allows us to push the Pilot to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, a couple of milliseconds ahead of the comparably sized, unibody Toyota Highlander SUV.
The 2006 model year ushers in a makeover for the Pilot. This includes a revised front grille, reprofiled headlights and taillights, and new front and rear fascias.
Honda’s latest navigation system is optional and includes a 7.0-inch screen and voice recognition. Adding navigation means a rearview camera comes along for the ride, a first for the practically-minded Pilot.
While earlier Pilots were offered exclusively with all-wheel drive, the 2006 Pilot adds a front-wheel-drive option to the mix. Honda equips the 3.5-liter V-6 engine of two-wheel-drive Pilots with a variable cylinder management system as a means of improving the SUV’s fuel economy, netting the model an EPA-rated combined fuel economy of 18 mpg—1 mpg better than the all-wheel-drive model. No matter the drivetrain, all Pilots produce 244 horsepower.
Honda redesigns the Pilot for the 2009 model year. The unibody three-row wears boxier and more upright styling and benefits from a 2.9-inch wheelbase stretch that frees up extra space for passengers and cargo alike. Output from the 3.5-liter V-6 engine jumps to 250 horsepower, too.
A 2009 Honda Pilot Touring with all-wheel-drive enters our long-term fleet for 40,000 miles of testing. During its time with us, we praise the SUV’s comfortable seats and massive cargo hold (we even fit a go-kart in it!).
Still, the Pilot’s abundance of road noise and particularly poor fuel economy while towing leave us wanting.
Honda tweaks the design of the Pilot for the 2012 model year. Though its changes are subtle, the 2012 Pilot sheds much of the brash decor that emphasized the blockiness of 2009–2011 models.
Alterations to the SUV’s cabin include a more user-friendly center stack, mild updates to the gauge cluster, and improvements to the available in-dash navigation system.
The third-generation Honda Pilot trades its predecessor’s blocky design for more streamlined, minivan-like looks. Though the latest Honda Pilot casts a shadow 3.5 inches longer than before, it manages to cut quite a few pounds from its mass, with an all-wheel-drive 2016 Pilot hitting our scales some 309 pounds lighter than an all-wheel-drive 2011 model.
While the Pilot continues to rely on a V-6 engine for motivation, the 3.5-liter unit now pumps out a total of 280 horsepower. This additional grunt allows us to push a Pilot to 60 mph in a respectable 6.1 seconds—an improvement of more than 1.5 seconds over our earlier long-term 2009 Honda Pilot.
The latest Pilot’s interior build quality and ergonomics are notably improved over its predecessor’s. Nonetheless, we question Honda’s decision to forgo tactile buttons and switches for controlling the infotainment system the brand fits in higher-end Pilot trims.
It’s evolution, not revolution, for the 2019 Pilot. A mid-cycle refresh brings with it a number of small but appreciated improvements, including the addition of a proper volume knob to every one of the Pilot’s available infotainment setups.
Other changes to the SUV include the likes of tweaks to its exterior design, a new gauge cluster setup, and a longer list of standard active safety items.
A more off-road-focused Pilot variant enters the SUV’s model line for 2022: the TrailSport. Though the trim’s 0.6 inch of additional ground clearance and chunky cladding over its wheel wells ought to make this the most capable Pilot currently available, the TrailSport is far from a Jeep or Land Rover alternative. After all, this three-row SUV forgoes the likes of a proper two-speed transfer case or protective underbody skid plates.
Rumor is that Honda’s due to reveal a new fourth-generation Honda Pilot for the 2023 model year, although current supply-chain issues may push this back to 2024. Regardless, look for the new Pilot to share its underpinnings with the latest Acura MDX and its basic styling with that of the forthcoming 2023 Honda CR-V. We expect the next Pilot to offer more space, better fuel economy, and a much-improved infotainment system relative to today’s model.
Honda may even give the next-gen Pilot TrailSport some more serious off-road chops, too. Don’t expect a two-speed transfer case, but a shorter first gear and additional underbody protection are certainly possible.
Keyword: A Visual History of the Honda Pilot