For the time being, Honda is tightening the belt by eliminating the LX and EX trim levels, which were previously the Pilot’s two most cost-effective trim levels. As a result, the EX-L will be the first model in the 2022 Pilot portfolio. If you were looking for a well-equipped SUV, to begin with, this won’t be a big deal, but budget consumers will be put off by the Pilot’s higher starting price this year.

We believe the Palisade and Telluride are still the best three-row midsize SUVs on the market. The spacious Volkswagen Atlas and elegant Mazda CX-9 are also options. However, the Pilot accomplishes a lot of things admirably and has few severe flaws. For further information, see Edmunds Expert Rating.

How does the Pilot drive?

The Pilot has a surprising amount of talent. We tested a Pilot Elite and got a 7.0-second 0-60 mph time, which is a little faster than most rival midsize three-row SUVs. It’s also simple to slow down. The brakes offer a consistent feel and are simple to operate in daily driving. The Pilot’s panic-braking distance from 60 mph (129 feet in our tests) is typical for its class.

The Pilot handles twisty mountain roads with ease, and it seems more agile than most SUVs. The steering is excellent, but there is little road feel. The Pilot’s optional AWD system is adequate for slick roads, but it lacks the necessary ground clearance and off-road features like hill descent control to be truly capable off-road.

How comfortable is the Pilot?

Both in town and on the highway, the Pilot is a smooth ride. The body motions are adequately regulated, but not to the detriment of overall ride comfort. Small bumps are handled without difficulty. The front seats have supportive backs and bottoms, and the second-row seats are similarly plush and can recline and slide.
Inside the cabin, there’s a very little tire or wind noise, and the V6 sounds great when you crank it up. The tri-zone climate control system does a good job of keeping everyone happy.

How’s the interior?

The Pilot exhibits typical Honda efficiency with smart use of space and practical features. The first and second rows are roomy. The third row is big enough for occasional use for adults, but it’s not as spacious as the third row in a Kia Telluride or Volkswagen Atlas. Access to the third row is also a bit narrow.

Most drivers will be able to find a suitable seating position, though tall drivers might want a little more steering wheel adjustment. The upright seating position gives the driver a more commanding view out than a Honda Odyssey minivan provides.

How’s the tech?

Overall, the Pilot’s touchscreen system is easy to use. The navigation system responds quickly, and the 10-speaker audio system sounds great. A Wi-Fi hotspot is included on Touring and Elite models, and users with the Honda CabinControl app can connect to the in-car Wi-Fi and control certain things such as rear cabin temperature and music playlists.

As for driver-assist features, the Pilot’s adaptive cruise control system isn’t nearly as smooth in accelerating and braking as the systems in some rival SUVs. It also only works above 20 mph, which is a bummer for drivers stuck in stop-and-go traffic. The lane-keeping assists feature works fine on straight roads but can be overly intrusive if the road starts to bend.

How’s the storage?

When you need to transport a large amount of cargo, the Pilot is an excellent choice. While cargo space is adequate (16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 83.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded), it lags behind category leaders. Despite this, there is enough storage beneath the load floor, and the area is highly useable. There are several places to put your belongings inside the cabin, including spacious door pockets and ingenious, customizable small-item storage within the center console.

In the second row, there’s plenty of room for car seat installations, as well as easy access to the car seat anchors. If you don’t know where to look, the rear tether points are located on the bottom of the second-row seats and are easy to overlook. The third-row seat installation is made easier thanks to the one-button slide access.

Do you want to tow something? The maximum towing capacity of the AWD Pilot is 5,000 pounds, which is comparable to most V6-powered three-row SUVs. The weight restriction for front-wheel-drive Pilots is 3,500 pounds.

How’s the fuel economy?

The all-wheel-drive Pilot gets 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway) according to the EPA, which is about average for three-row SUVs. The Pilot scored 25.2 mpg on Edmunds’ 115-mile standardized travel loop, which is mostly interstate roads, confirming that the EPA estimates are accurate.

Is the Pilot a good value?

We drove a fully outfitted all-wheel-drive Elite, one of the class’s more expensive variants. However, it offers more comfort, a higher quality feel, and a nicer interior than many of its competitors, so the cost seems reasonable. For a non-luxury vehicle, the materials and assembly quality are excellent. The dash’s soft-touch plastics, paired with high-gloss trim and matte-finish secondary controls, look and feel great.
The basic warranty is for three years/36,000 miles, plus a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The three-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance package is roughly standard for the class.