- The Honda Pilot was completely updated for the 2023 model year.
- Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.
- Pilot Trailsport trim is Honda’s most off-road-oriented SUV.
- Pricing starts at $37,090 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Honda Pilot models for sale near you
The 2024 Honda Pilot ticks many of the right boxes for car shoppers who want a 3-row midsize SUV that’s relaxing to drive, spacious, and has a sterling record for dependability and resale value.
Fresh from a complete update for the 2023 model year, the 2024 Pilot carries over unchanged and is available in six trim levels.
Pricing starts at $37,090 for the base LX and stretches to $52,480 with the top-of-the-line Elite trim. Note that these prices exclude a $1,325 destination charge. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all but the Trailsport and Elite trims, which come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). Adding AWD to other Pilot models costs $2,100 extra.
Every Pilot comes with a 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This provides more than enough power even when carrying a full complement of eight people onboard. Direct rivals include the Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Explorer, Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda CX-90, Toyota Highlander, and Hyundai Palisade.
Let’s take a look at what the 2024 Honda Pilot has to offer.
Passenger Room and Comfort
Few midsize SUVs come close to matching the Pilot in terms of passenger space and ride quality. Designers paid very close attention to details in crafting a cabin built to last that exudes an air of luxury in higher trims like the Touring and Elite.
The legroom in the second row measures an ample 40.8 inches. Even better, anyone relegated to the third row won’t feel like they’ve done something to upset a Honda Pilot owner. With 32.5 inches of legroom for third-row passengers, there’s plenty of space for kids — or average-size adults if the drive isn’t long.
Depending on the chosen layout, the Pilot has space for seven or eight people onboard. A second-row bench seat comes standard, though buyers can opt for dual captain’s chairs. Yet Honda also offers an intriguing compromise between these two choices.
A second-row bench seat with a removable middle section is available in the Elite and Touring. This stores beneath the rear cargo area to create on-the-go dual captain’s chairs and better access to the third row. At 35 pounds, this seat requires a little heft, though it’s not too cumbersome. This balance between second-row comfort and extra seating when needed is ingenious.
Also worth noting is the Pilot’s good outward visibility. This creates an inviting and airy cabin, not to mention clear sightlines for the driver.
Features and Tech
All but the entry-level LX comes with a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With the LX, a 7-inch screen takes pride of place in the middle of the dash. It requires a wired connection for smartphone connectivity.
Small details make the Pilot’s cabin design and tech features user-friendly and intuitive. For example, Honda’s decision to slightly recess the touchscreen means the person tapping and scrolling through the infotainment system has a place to rest their hand while inputting commands.
Honda also wisely decided that rather than rely solely on touchscreen controls, a number of frequently used features – volume settings, cabin temperature, and fan speeds – are controlled via tactile knobs. These are less distracting to use than some of the multilayered menus and touch-sensitive controls found in many cars and SUVs.
Upper trims of the Pilot can be equipped with a myriad of features like heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, tri-zone climate control, an in-cabin intercom system, panoramic moonroof, head-up instrument display with turn-by-turn navigation, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, and 12-speaker Bose audio system.
In terms of safety gear, all Pilot models are equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of active driver aids. Starting with the Sport trim, the Pilot is also fitted with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
If a slow and arduous commute is part of your driving routine, let’s take a moment to highlight Honda’s Traffic Jam Assist. Standard on every trim, it’s capable of controlling braking, acceleration, and steering inputs at speeds up to 40 mph. It requires drivers to keep a hand on the steering wheel.
Materials and Design
The design and materials used throughout the Pilot, even in lower trims, are exemplary and add to this SUV’s equally robust and premium feel.
Getting familiar with the controls takes only a few moments, and finding a comfortable seating position is equally simple. Many Honda shoppers will be fine with the cloth upholstery found in the LX and Sport. On the other hand, we’re fans of the easy-to-clean synthetic leather used in the outdoorsy Trailsport trim. This is intended to make for quicker cleanups of any excursions that cause water, mud, or sand to be scattered throughout the cabin.
As expected, the Pilot Touring and Elite are fitted with the fanciest perches wrapped in upscale leather. Yet it’s not necessary to spend a bundle to appreciate the finely engineered nature of the Pilot’s functional and attractive interior.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
Honda must imagine Pilot owners need plenty of hydration. That’s because you’ll find a grand total of 14 cup holders of various sizes littered throughout all three rows of seating. There are also many places to store items in cubbies, door pockets, and the center console.
Behind the split-folding third row is a generous 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. A typical shopping run won’t mean choosing between bringing back grocery bags or leaving third-row occupants behind. The space expands to 48.5 cubic feet when the third row is folded.
Should you need to do some serious load-lugging with your Pilot, folding the second and third rows provides 87 cubic feet of volume. The wide liftgate and relatively low cargo floor make accessing this space less of a strain.
For those who plan on towing, the Pilot has a max towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which is about average for a midsize SUV.
Build and price your version of the 2024 Honda Pilot to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or browse Pilot models for sale near you.
