Ready to find your perfect Honda Pilot? Buckle up! We’ve crunched the numbers and analyzed every model year to bring you the ultimate guide.
From reliability scores to recall numbers, we’ve got it all covered. We’ll walk you through each generation, highlighting the stars and warning you about the duds.
By the end, you’ll be a Pilot specialist, armed with all the information you need to make an intelligent choice.
Let’s hit the road – your ideal Honda Pilot is just around the corner.
Table of ContentsShow
Honda Pilot Generations
Since its 2003 debut, the Honda Pilot has been the go-to family SUV for many. It’s not hard to see why – spacious interiors, solid performance, and safety features that’ll make any parent breathe easier.
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to see how this SUV titan has evolved:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 1st generation (YF 1/2) | 2003-2008 |
| 2nd generation (YF 3/4) | 2009-2015 |
| 3rd generation (YF 5/6) | 2016-2022 |
| 4th generation (YG 1/2) | 2023-Present |
Knowing these generational shifts is key. It’s like having a cheat sheet for picking the perfect Pilot that fits your needs to a T.
Honda Pilot Best, Neutral and Worst Years
When it comes to ranking these Pilots, we don’t just pull numbers out of thin air. We dive deep, considering a smorgasbord of factors:
- What owners are saying (surveys don’t lie!)
- How much you’ll shell out for annual maintenance
- Safety ratings (because who doesn’t want peace of mind?)
- Consumer Reports’ take on reliability and owner satisfaction
- NHTSA’s tally of recalls, investigations, and complaints
- Ratings from the big names: Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley Blue Book, VehicleHistory, and Cars.com
We’ve crunched all these numbers and presented them in a tidy little graph for you:
Now, let’s break it down by generation. We’ve sorted each model year into three categories: Best, Neutral, and Worst. Here’s the lowdown:
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation (YF 1/2) | 2006 | 2007 | 2003 2004 2005 2008 |
| 2nd generation (YF 3/4) | 2009 2015 | 2012 2013 2014 | 2010 2011 |
| 3rd generation (YF 5/6) | 2018 2020 | 2019 2021 2022 | 2016 2017 |
“Neutral Years” are the middle-of-the-road performers. They won’t blow your socks off, but they won’t let you down either. Just solid, dependable transportation.
Keep in mind, a high number of NHTSA recalls can knock a vehicle down a peg or two in the reliability department.
Ready to get into the nitty-gritty?
Let’s dive into each generation and see which years shine and which ones… well, not so much.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Pilot 1st Generation (2003-2008)
The 2003 Honda Pilot burst onto the scene, marking Honda’s grand entrance into the midsize crossover SUV market. Packing a punch with its V6 engine, it quickly won hearts with its roomy interior and smooth ride.
The Best Years: 2006
2006 was the Pilot’s time to shine in the first generation. Honda kicked things up a notch, fine-tuning both performance and comfort. Under the hood, you’d find a 3.5L V6 engine flexing 244 horsepower, paired with a smooth 5-speed automatic transmission.
Tech-wise, the ’06 Pilot was ahead of its time. It offered goodies like a rear entertainment system and navigation – perfect for those family road trips. Safety wasn’t forgotten either, with electronic stability control and side curtain airbags keeping everyone secure.
The Neutral Years: 2007
The 2007 Pilot played it safe, landing squarely in neutral territory. It didn’t rock the boat with any significant changes, but it didn’t need to. It carried forward all the good stuff that made the Pilot a hit – reliability, roomy interiors, and that robust V6 performance.
Honda made some minor tweaks to the interior and exterior design, but nothing earth-shattering. It was a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The Worst Years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008
Now, for the years you might want to steer clear of. The 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2008 models are the black sheep of the initial-gen Pilot family.
The initial 2003 model stumbled out of the gate with airbag, powertrain, and electrical system issues. NHTSA recalls? Let’s just say they were greater than Honda would’ve liked.
2004 didn’t fare much better. It wrestled with powertrain and airbag problems, plus an eccentric driver’s seat that had a mind of its own – not exactly the kind of surprise you want on your commute.
2005 saw its fair share of trouble too. Airbags, powertrain, electronic stability control, and brakes all gave owners headaches.
The 2008 model rounded out the problematic years, still wrestling with those pesky airbag issues that seemed to plague this generation.
Want the low-down and dirty?
Check out the NHTSA recalls and complaints for 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008 models.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Pilot 2nd Generation (2009-2015)
The second-gen Pilot, rolling out in 2009, came with a boxier look and some nifty upgrades. Fuel efficiency got a boost, safety features stepped up their game, and the interior got a comfort makeover. Plus, it flexed some muscle with improved towing capacity and off-road chops.
The Best Years: 2009, 2015
2009 kicked off the second generation with a bang. The 3.5L V6 engine got a power boost, now churning out a healthy 250 horses. Fuel economy improved, the interior got roomier, and cargo space expanded – talk about a triple threat.
Safety-wise, the 2009 Pilot didn’t mess around. It packed in stability control, anti-lock brakes, and side curtain airbags for all three rows. That’s reassurance for the entire family.
2015 was another exceptional year. Honda introduced a new 6-speed automatic transmission, smoothing out those gear shifts and giving fuel economy another nudge in the right direction.
Tech got an upgrade too, with an 8-inch touch screen multimedia system joining the party. And let’s not forget Honda’s LaneWatch feature – because who doesn’t want an extra set of eyes on the road?
The Neutral Years: 2012, 2013, 2014
The 2012, 2013, and 2014 models played it safe in the central lane. They didn’t break new ground, but they didn’t break down either. These Pilots kept delivering the dependable performance, comfort, and reliability that made the 2009 model a hit.
The Worst Years: 2010, 2011
Now, for the years that hit some obstacles in the road. The 2010 and 2011 models are the ones to watch out for in this generation.
2010 had some trouble under the hood, with engine issues popping up alongside airbag concerns. Not exactly what you want to hear about your family SUV.
2011 had it even tougher. Problems cropped up all over – airbags, engine, suspension, steering – you name it. These issues took a toll on consumer satisfaction and put a dent in these models’ reputation.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Pilot 3rd Generation (2016-2022)
The third-gen Pilot, debuting in 2016, got a major makeover. Gone was the boxy look, replaced by sleeker, more modern lines. Honda packed in new tech and beefed up performance, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
The Best Years: 2018, 2020
2018 was the year Honda smoothed out the kinks. They introduced the Honda Sensing safety suite as standard across all trims. We’re talking adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking – the works. Plus, the infotainment system got an enhancement, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto joining the party.
2020 took things up another level. Fuel economy got a boost thanks to a new 9-speed automatic transmission in the upper trims. Safety scores? Off the charts, thanks to that now-standard Honda Sensing tech.
The Neutral Years: 2019, 2021, 2022
The 2019, 2021, and 2022 Pilots kept the ship steady. They maintained the elevated bar set by the best years in terms of safety and tech features, without any major shakeups or letdowns. These models delivered dependable, comfy family transport with decent fuel efficiency and performance.
The Worst Years: 2016, 2017
The early birds of the third generation, 2016 and 2017, encountered some turbulence. These models accumulated the most NHTSA complaints in the generation.
Most gripes centered around engine, electrical system, and powertrain issues. These reliability hiccups took some of the shine off the new design and features, making these years less appealing for potential buyers.
Curious about the details?
Check out the NHTSA complaints for the 2016 and 2017 Pilots. Information is strength, after all.
Honda Pilot 4th Generation (2023)
The 2023 Pilot ushers in the fourth generation, and boy, does it make an entrance. Honda’s gone all out, revamping this SUV inside and out. The new design is a head-turner, with streamlined lines, a bold front, and an interior that screams opulence.
Tech-wise, the 2023 Pilot is no slouch. The infotainment system gets a bigger, sharper touch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot come standard – because staying connected is non-negotiable these days.
Safety? Honda’s got you covered. The Honda Sensing suite adds new features like traffic-jam assist and low-speed braking control. And let’s not forget the improved powertrain, boosting both fuel economy and performance.
But here’s the thing about new models – they can sometimes have teething issues. It’s like buying the first batch of a new iPhone – exciting, but potentially risky. Keep an eye on those consumer reviews and any recalls Honda might announce for the 2023 model. Better safe than sorry, right?
Honda Pilot Average Resale Values
Now, let’s talk money. Specifically, how much you can expect to get back when it’s time to sell your Pilot. Check out this graph showing the average resale values for different Honda Pilot model years:
Conclusion
There you have it – your roadmap to selecting the perfect Honda Pilot. Remember, the newest models might look shiny, but sometimes it pays to wait for the information to roll in.
Now, we want to hear from you. What’s your Pilot story? Got a favorite generation or year? Maybe a Pilot that’s been in your family for years?
Drop a comment below and share your thoughts.
Your experience could be just what another Pilot shopper needs to hear.
