If you’re looking for an SUV that can navigate challenging terrain and offers capability without compromise, you’ll want to wing your way toward the Honda Pilot. Drivers in Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, and Tustin, CA are eager to learn more about this midsize crossover.
The team at Norm Reeves Honda Irvine has drafted this review to give you the information you need before embarking on your next flight. Get ready to soar to new heights with the Honda Pilot!
HORSEPOWER
MAX TOWING CAPACITY
STANDARD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MAX CARGO CAPACITY
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
ACE™ BODY STRUCTURE
HONDA SENSING® SAFETY SUITE
As the most rugged SUV in the Honda lineup, the Pilot is engineered with a reinforced body structure, proper load weight distribution, and a fully independent suspension. Say goodbye to shaky turbulence—you’ll enjoy a smooth ride and nimble handling, even while maneuvering across bumpy trails.
This single-engine model is launched by a 3.5L V6 that produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that has Shift-By-Wire and paddle shifters for those times when you want to take control. Standard Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control help ensure you can easily navigate changes in altitude.
The available All-Wheel Drive system offers stability for a variety of meteorologic and road conditions. The Honda Pilot can also tow up to a maximum of 5,000 pounds, so feel free to hitch up a trailer or any of the following recreational toys:
When you’re taking the road less traveled—or even heading off the road completely—you can toggle among up to seven drive modes to adjust throttle response:
Plus, TrailWatch™ automatically displays a live feed on the touchscreen when in Trail mode so you can view and navigate around any obstacles or obstructions within your flight path.
The Pilot TrailSport trim with its extra inch of ground clearance and steel skid plates is ready to take on any rough-and-tumble terrain you encounter off the asphalt. Among its supplemental equipment are all-terrain tires, high-strength recovery points, and a trailer hitch.
The Honda Pilot’s cabin is spacious, able to seat up to eight comfortably while still having enough room for everyone’s carry-ons. It also features a full complement of amenities to ensure an enjoyable traveling experience.
The Pilot’s cockpit is well-designed for you as the commander. Its many standard and available features provide a wide range of comforts and conveniences. Among them are:
The Honda Pilot’s passenger volume of 158.4 cubic feet ensures plenty of space for your entire crew to stretch out and get comfortable. How is that room distributed among the Pilot’s three rows?
| Dimension | 1st Row | 2nd Row | 3rd Row |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headroom | 40.5 in. | 40.2 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Legroom | 41 in. | 40.8 in. | 32.5 in. |
Regardless of where they’re sitting in the cabin, everyone on board will feel like they’re seated in first class.
There are second-row, fold-flat captain’s chairs and a stowable second-row center seat that can be tucked away and quickly installed as needed. You’ll easily access the third row with one-touch 2nd-row seats.
The Honda Pilot offers up to a maximum of 87 cubic feet of cargo volume. Even with all seats in the upright position, this SUV can still accommodate six carry-ons behind the third row.
Dimension |
Behind 1st Row
| Behind 2nd Row
| Behind 3rd Row
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Capacity | 87 cu. ft. | 48.5 cu. ft. | 18.6 cu. ft. |
Meanwhile, you can utilize a cargo area tie-down anchors and bag hooks to keep your groceries and other goods secure. Load/unload easily without setting down luggage, backpacks, and camping gear thanks to the hands-free access power tailgate. You can also add roof rails, roof boxes, crossbars, bike racks, and more to transport even more without decreasing passenger space.
The dashboard and instrument panel features a wide range of modern tech to keep you connected to ground control and provide in-cabin entertainment. Meanwhile, the ACE™ (Advanced Compatibility Engineering™) body structure and the Honda Sensing® suite help protect you and your passengers, offering peace of mind mile after mile.
The Honda Pilot comes well-equipped with standard Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, SMS Text Message Function, and Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation. You’ll hear—and be heard—clearly regardless of outside engine noise. Among its many available infotainment features are:
As the captain, you’ll occasionally need to communicate with your rear-seat passengers; do so loud and clear with the available CabinTalk® in-car PA system.
Next-level audio amenities and visual aids include the available 12-speaker Bose premium sound system for an immersive experience as you jam out to your preferred playlist or begin a rousing rendition of road trip car-aoke. The available Head-Up Display projects vital driving info, like speed, directions, etc., onto the windshield within your line of sight, so you’ll always stay in the loop while maintaining your focus on the path ahead.
Whether you’re jetting here and there on local errands or flying down the highway to your next vacation destination, you’ll have built-in confidence. That’s because the Pilot comes standard with Honda Sensing® driver-assistive features, including:
Additionally, the Honda Pilot keeps a watchful eye out for you, its. . . pilot. If the standard Driver Attention Monitor senses that you’re drowsy or distracted, it will alert you that it may be time to pull over for a break or let your copilot take a turn behind the wheel.
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When comparing 3-row SUVs, the Honda Pilot and the Hyundai Palisade are even in performance, space, and amenities. Still, taking a deeper look at the details of those features reveals that the Pilot has more to offer: more gear ratios for a smoother ride, more room for rear-seat passengers, and more drive modes to better match conditions. Want more? Choose the Pilot. *
Pilot |
vs
|
Palisade
|
|---|---|---|
| 10-speed | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8-speed |
| 39.3 inches | 3RD-ROW HEADROOM | 37.8 inches |
| Up to 7 | DRIVE MODES | Up to 5 |
|
 |
When comparing 3-row SUVs, the Honda Pilot and the Hyundai Palisade are even in performance, space, and amenities. Still, taking a deeper look at the details of those features reveals that the Pilot has more to offer: more gear ratios for a smoother ride, more room for rear-seat passengers, and more drive modes to better match conditions. Want more? Choose the Pilot. *
Pilot |
vs
|
Telluride
|
|---|---|---|
| Tri-zone | CLIMATE CONTROL | Dual-zone |
| 39.3 inches | 3RD-ROW HEADROOM | 38.1 inches |
| 12 speakers | PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM | 10 speakers |
|
 |
SUVs are known for their versatility, offering a range of trims and many features. Of course, sometimes the best way to determine a vehicle’s quality is by looking at its base trim. When comparing the standard versions of the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander, the Pilot proves that it’s anything but basic. *
Pilot |
vs
|
Highlander
|
|---|---|---|
| 285 HP | STANDARD HORSEPOWER | 265 HP |
| 32.5 inches | 3RD-ROW LEGROOM | 28 inches |
| 87 cu. ft. | MAX CARGO VOLUME | 84.3 cu. ft. |
Now that you’ve inspected the Honda Pilot and have reviewed its manifest, it’s time to file your flight plan and schedule your test drive with Norm Reeves Honda Irvine. Drivers in Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, and Tustin, CA can contact us to get some experience in the cockpit today!
All of the tools you need to move forward with experiencing a new Pilot for yourself are conveniently available right here online.
Explore our extensive new inventory, receive an estimate on your trade-in, apply for credit or contact us to schedule your in-person test drive using the quick links here.
Shop Honda Pilot Value Your Trade Apply for Financing Schedule a Test Drive* Most accurate information used at the time of posting.
