2018 Honda Pilot Review
On the market since 2016, the Honda Pilot may have cemented its place in the midsize family SUV segment, but it's still unable to escape the minivan-styling taunts that follow it when rivals like the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander offer traditionally rugged SUV styling. But styling aside, the Pilot is a great performer, with a 280 horsepower V6 under the hood of each of the five trims. Front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive optional and drive is sent through a six-speed automatic gearbox on lower trims with a clunky nine-speed auto on the top-ranking models. A large, refined cabin and seating for up to eight occupants are high points for the 2018 Pilot, while the nine-speed auto and touchscreen infotainment system are frustrating low-points. Yet with prices ranging from $30,900 to $47,470 the Pilot still represents good value for money in the segment.
What's the Price of the 2018 Honda Pilot?
Honda sells the Pilot in five trims with a couple of drivetrain options to give a variation in price. The cheapest model is the LX, which carries an MSRP of $30,900 in FWD guise. The EX is priced from $33,330, while the EX-L's price in the USA starts at $36,670. A front-wheel drive Touring model carries a sticker price from $41,970, while a fully loaded Pilot, dubbed the Elite, is priced at $47,470. Prices shown are before options, license, taxes, registration, and destination charges.
Handling and Driving Impressions
While the Honda Pilot might not be taking on any offroad trails like truck-based rivals might, its advanced traction management system for both front- and all-wheel drive models ensures it's more than a match for most loose gravel, mud, and snow. We'd recommend AWD, however, as not only does it offer better towing capacity, when you've got a full complement of eight occupants on board, the extra driven wheels get things going far easier and with more urgency.
The lower trim levels also ride more pliantly due to their 18-inch alloy wheels. On almost all road surfaces the ride is plush and comfortable, and little upsets the Pilot. It's one of the best SUVs in this class to drive, and it's not just from a comfort perspective - although the suspension does effectively iron out almost all imperfections. There's a sharpness to the Pilot that others lack, be it in the manner in which it turns in, the eagerness with which the engine gives you all 280 horsepower or the lightness with which the Pilot carries itself. At 4,000+ lbs it's no hot hatch, but it feels lighter and more responsive than its peers through a twisting stretch of tarmac and the body motions are well controlled, with less roll than most and better composure under duress.
Verdict: Is the 2018 Honda Pilot A Good SUV?
The Honda Pilot is a solid offering in the mid-size SUV segment, with seating capacity for up to eight occupants in a package combining many endearing traits. While some rivals may beat the Pilot's standard cargo volume behind the third row of seats, Honda wins us over for the Pilot's adult-sized third-row seating and generous passenger dimensions across all three rows. There's a high standard of safety features to be had on higher trims, with all but the entry-level model party to some impressive collision avoidance features, and impressive standard creature comforts. The infotainment system is a big gripe of ours, however - infuriating to use with no volume control knob and small, unresponsive touch zones.
The Pilot is one of the most endearing vehicles to drive in this segment, particularly when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. The nine-speed is clunky and poorly tuned, and we'd steer clear of it, and in turn, the higher trims on which it's equipped. The Pilot is seemingly light on its feet despite its size, with a suspension that strikes a fine balance between capable handling and impressive comfort. The 3.5-liter V6 combines robust performance and top of its class economy, while front- and all-wheel drive give buyers choices to suit their budget. After resolving reliability issues from its first year of production, the Pilot is now cemented near the top of its class.
What Honda Pilot Model Should I Buy?
While the Touring model features an abundance of features and a choice of drivetrains, it can only be had with the unwieldy nine-speed automatic gearbox. That's why we recommend the EX-L, as it gets the smoother six-speed automatic in conjunction with creature comforts to make life easy like leather seats, heated front seats, sunroof, power tailgate, one-touch sliding second-row seats, and power adjustment for both front occupants. There's a choice of front- or all-wheel drive - we recommend the latter for increased towing capacity - the option to equip Honda Sensing safety features, and the choice to add navigation and rear seat entertainment. For an affordable price, is there anything you're really missing from the EX-L? Not really.
2018 Honda Pilot Comparisons
2018 Honda Pilot vs Volkswagen Atlas
The venerable MQB platform has been expanded to underpin the classy seven-seat VW Atlas, which closely rivals the Honda Pilot in the midsize SUV segment. The Atlas only seats seven, while the Pilot can seat up to eight in lower trim lines, but the Volkswagen has more third-row legroom, a bigger cargo volume, and easier access to the third row. The Atlas's infotainment system is also easier to use. Both models provide a comfortable ride with compelling dynamics, but the Atlas utilizes a turbocharged four-cylinder base engine with exceptional gas mileage. The Pilot's only engine is a 3.5-liter V6, which is frugal, powerful and performs so sweetly, especially when paired with the six-speed automatic. Both are premium in nature, despite their affordable price tags, but the Atlas is more well-rounded making it the better choice overall.
2018 Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander
Similarly priced and both seating eight occupants, the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are both top-quality midsize SUVs. The Pilot comes with the more upscale cabin of the two, as well as greater cargo volumes and more passenger space, but loses out to the Toyota when it comes to standard safety, only offering Honda Sensing as an option and not on the base LX trim. The Highlander's infotainment system is easier to use but doesn't provide Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which somewhat robs it of the advantage over the Honda. The Toyota also has two engine options compared to Honda's one, meaning on lower-end models the Honda provides better performance. With a combination of performance and practicality on its side, the Honda Pilot is the superior model.