The Pilot is an extremely functional and pleasant midsized SUV as long as you don't expect excitement. Instead, it does a commendable minivan impression thanks to its flexible seating for eight; a roomy, versatile, and feature-filled interior; and easy access to all three rows of seats. It also provides a comfortable ride and that cabin is quiet.
When it comes to handling, this SUV has no connection with the nimble Hondas of the past. On open roads, the Pilot maneuvers like an apartment building on wheels. Its cumbersome cornering makes the Pilot feel reluctant to turn, and the vague steering chips away at your confidence. Nobody expects sports car handling from an SUV, but the Pilot falls short compared to more agile competitors. Plus, the Pilot's mediocre braking on wet pavement trails most peers as well.
The flip side to the Pilot's ungainly handling is a comfortable ride. This SUV's suspension smooths out bumps with composure. Some road imperfections will rock the Pilot from side to side, but overall a trip in the Pilot is uneventful. Honda loaded up on the sound-deadening materials, too, resulting in a quiet cabin.
The 3.5-liter V6 is a gem, smoothly and promptly delivering power throughout its rev range. Drivers are never left feeling in a dead zone of acceleration, with the standard six-speed automatic smoothly swapping gears. Our all-wheel-drive Pilot averaged 20 mpg overall in tests -- on par with other vehicles in the segment. Front-drive Pilots are likely to do 1 or 2 mpg better.
But shoppers should stick with the six-speed. The upmarket Touring and Elite trim levels are saddled with a nine-speed gearbox that's neither smooth nor responsive, and it uses an infuriating and unintuitive push-button shifter. At least the shifter has comprehensive safeguards against rollaway, should you accidentally forget to put the car in Park.
Interior materials and details are certainly improved, with hard, cheap plastics exiled to the recycling bin. All sizes of drivers found plenty of room, with good access to the pedals, adjustable steering wheel, and dashboard controls. Windows are big and roof pillars are thin, giving a commanding all-around view from the helm.
Though the front seats are well-padded and supportive, the lumbar adjusts only for pressure, not height. And some drivers felt that the front of the seat cushion didn't lower enough.
The second row is roomy, and the seats can slide fore/aft to give space to third-row occupants. The rearmost seats are best left for kids. Gauges are easy to read, and the climate controls are super-clear. But like every contemporary Honda, drivers must suffer with a convoluted touch-screen infotainment system. Fonts and buttons are large, but finding menus, changing the volume or radio station, or adjusting settings is frustrating. Consider the steering-wheel controls your copilot to handle tasks.
Advanced crash-prevention tech is available across the lineup, but only the top-level Elite gets blind-spot detection. In its place on most trims is the LaneWatch camera, but glancing at the display screen takes your eyes off the road.
Honda faithful will recognize this Pilot as an Odyssey in weekend warrior packaging, but will still wonder where the brand's cherished attributes -- such as intuitive controls and agile handling -- have gone.