2021 Honda Pilot

Hondas are generally affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient, with intuitive controls and good driving characteristics. Its SUVs and sedans are usually near the top of Consumer Reports’ ratings for road tests and predicted reliability. Many Hondas have earned Consumer Reports recommendations. Used Hondas also score near the top of our reliability rankings for 5- and 10-year-old vehicles, making it a brand worth considering for options under $20,000. Honda’s SUVs include sub-compact models like the HR-V and compact CR-V, one of the best-selling SUVs in North America. The two-row Passport and three-row Pilot are larger options. Honda’s sedans include the compact Civic and the midsized Accord. Honda also makes the Odyssey minivan and the Ridgeline, a midsized pickup truck. For buyers seeking fuel efficiency, several of the most popular models are available with hybrid powertrains that get competitive mpg figures and are pleasant to drive.

Quick, comfortable, and refined, the third-generation Pilot is not exactly a joy to drive. Its three-row seating configuration, roomy cabin, and abundant interior storage make it an extremely functional vehicle. Power comes from a slick 3.5-liter V6 that is rated at 280 hp. We got 20 mpg overall in our tests of an EX-L with the standard six-speed automatic. We found the ride to be comfortable but handling ungainly, doing little to hide the Pilot's bulk. The knob-less touch screen infotainment system is unintuitive. Touring and Elite trims get a nine-speed that doesn't shift very smoothly and is stuck with an unintuitive push-button gear selector. Front- and all-wheel drive are offered, and the optional Honda Sensing safety system includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Only top trips get blind spot monitoring; some lower trims get LaneWatch, a camera-based system that is less useful and more distracting. For 2019, all Pilots get Honda's suite of advanced safety systems, which include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance. The blind spot warning and rear cross traffic features comes standard on EX and up trims. Also, the infotainment system gets an actual volume/on-off knob, making it easier to use. Changes for 2020 include a new Black Edition version that gets various exterior and interior styling updates. For 2021, all Pilots get the nine-speed automatic transmission, and a Special Edition model joins the lineup. Also, a dual-zone automatic climate system is now standard for all trims. For 2022, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning became standard on all trims.