2024 Honda Pilot

Honda has been doubling down on its SUV policy, putting loads of work into its redesigns and updates, which is why the 2024 Honda Pilot is in its strongest position ever right now. Introduced as an all-new model just last year, the Pilot comes with a 285-horsepower V6 engine, which may not be as potent as the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, but it does offer three rows of space and an excellent list of standard features. And, with an off-road-centric TrailSport model, it has an edge that its rivals don't. But is this enough to make it stand out in the full-size SUV segment when the Korean automakers have been dominating for so long?

After a complete redesign last year, the new Honda Pilot SUV goes into 2024 unchanged. It has a starting MSRP of $37,090 in its most basic configuration.

The price of the 2024 Honda Pilot ranges quite a bit from entry-level to top-tier as there are multiple trims to choose from. The LX starts things off at $37,090, while the Sport comes in just under $40k at $39,600. In the middle of the range is the EX-L at $42,400, while the Touring pushes the price up to $46,900 in exchange for many more luxurious features. The TrailSport swaps these out for more off-road-purposed mechanics but still costs a little more at $48,800. Topping the lineup is the $52,480 Elite. As these are MSRP figures, you'll need to add at least $1,375 for the destination charge, while all-wheel drive adds $2,100 to the bill.

If it were our money, we'd go for the EX-L, as it doesn't add all that much to the bill, but the list of features included is substantially longer. Aside from plusher leather seating, you get heating for the front row, the larger nine-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a wireless charging pad. This makes it an ideal family car, and it's price is still affordable.

As the biggest SUV in the Honda lineup, the Pilot presents buyers with a lot of interior space, boasting high build quality and a refined, polished design. There's more space for cargo than on the outgoing model, but it's naturally tighter with three rows - this is a common issue in the three-row segment. There is still enough for most daily errands even with the seats up, though.

One complaint we have is that even at higher levels, the infotainment screen is not particularly large, especially since rivals get 12.3 inches of screen real estate as standard. It's also awkwardly integrated into the dashboard. Luckily, there are some physical controls more easily within reach for operating everyday features like climate control.

Most seven- or eight-seater SUVs rely on that number to impress, not to mention the fact there isn't really a lot of space for those people, especially in the third row. However, the Pilot has a spacious enough interior for everyone, with even the rear-most positions providing enough head- and legroom for most average-sized adults. Getting inside the vehicle is pretty easy, and accessing the third row is a breeze with the one-touch fold-flat second-row seats. The choice between seven and eight occupants isn't available on all trims, though, so you'll have to balance your needs with your wants before you buy.

Surprising for an economy-focused brand, the driver gets a power-adjustable seat as standard, which helps them find a comfortable driving position. Still, they have to deal with huge blind spots, which is where the standard driver-assistance features come in.

Most people buy an SUV for its practicality, but this is usually equal parts passenger and cargo space. Three-row models often trade off the latter in favor of the former, and while that is still true in the case of the Pilot, there is still a lot of space on offer. Depending on how you've configured your Pilot, you get between 18.6 and 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold the rear seats down, and you have between 48.5 and 59.5 cubes, with the second row as far forward as possible.

If you need to move house, you can fold down all but the front seats to free up a massive 111.8 cubes. Around the cabin, there are various places to store smaller items like keys, phones, water bottles, or documents. These include four spacious door pockets, seatback pockets, a glove compartment, and an armrest cubby. There are also a whopping 14 cupholders spread throughout the cabin, and there is a small shelf under the passenger-side dashboard.

Built with hardy and reliable materials, the Pilot makes use of Gray or Black Cloth on the lower trims, but you get leather when you upgrade to the EX-L. Once again, color options are Black or Gray. The Touring and Elite upgrade to the highest-quality perforated leather, but interior colors don't change. The TrailSport stands out from the rest of the line with orange contrast stitching and a bespoke TrailSport logo embroidered on the headrests.

The Honda Pilot gets access to loads of features, which are well spread out across the six trim levels. With a very low starting price, the LX gets a fair number of those features, including a ten-way power driver's seat, tri-zone climate control, push-button start, and a seven-inch driver-information display. The infotainment touchscreen is also seven inches in size, and it comes programmed with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth streaming, paired with a seven-speaker sound system.

You get a nine-inch touchscreen and nine speakers from the EX-L upwards, along with wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM, HD Radio, a wireless charger, heated front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. From the TrailSport upward, a one-touch power panoramic moonroof is installed. The Touring adds satellite navigation, Wi-Fi capability, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system, while the Elite rounds things out with heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and a head-up display.

The Honda Pilot gets a capable 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, which sends outputs to your choice of a front- or all-wheel drivetrain. Performance is adequate but far from athletic, as it takes the Honda Pilot a little over six seconds to go from 0-60 mph. Top speed is set at 130 mph.

The all-wheel-drive system can send up to 70% of the overall torque to the rear axles or 100% to a specific wheel. This helps the Pilot maintain optimum grip no matter what the road conditions are, and the SUV can even handle a certain amount of off-roading, though it never has more than 8.3 inches of ground clearance, even on the more focused TrailSport trim.

Handling is decent, though unengaging, with light steering that helps maneuver the enormous car around town. Comfort is good, as a combination of the car's weight and a good suspension help soak up bumps and keep it grounded. Still, it's not the type of car you fling around the corners. With the right equipment, the Pilot has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, which is quite average.

There are a variety of engine and drivetrain configurations, so gas mileage varies. The most efficient FWD Honda Pilot gets 19/27/22 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, while the AWD variants get 19/25/21 mpg.

The TrailSport is a bit heavier thanks to its off-roading components, so it drops a little further to 18/23/20 mpg. Fuel capacity is standard at 18.5 gallons across the range, allowing you to travel between 370 and 407 miles.

As with most cars designed for family use, the Honda Pilot has a stellar safety review. The NHTSA has yet to rate this latest model, but the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023, despite only scoring it Marginal for moderate overlap front crashes.

Passive safety features include eight airbags, ABS, and stability control, while more active systems comprise forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, and driver attention monitoring. The Sport adds rear-cross traffic monitoring, while the EX-L gets front and rear parking sensors. Only the TrailSport and Elite get Trailwatch and a multi-view camera system.

JD Power hasn't officially reported on the 2024 model, but the identical 2023 version is given a reliability score of 81 out of 100, which is above average, though not at all surprising for the brand. There have been no recalls issued since the new generation was released.

The warranty for the 2024 Honda Pilot includes three years/36,000 miles of limited coverage, and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage.

It is hard to make a big block of metal designed to move eight people and their cargo look stylish, but the Honda Pilot is far from unappealing. The automaker abandoned the minivan-esque design when it released the new generation, giving the car a more rugged appearance that resonates with consumers - especially those in the USA. It has a broad grille with a honeycomb pattern and flared fenders that give it an imposing presence. Wheels are 18-inch as standard, and while upper trims get 20-inch rims, the TrailSport sticks with the smaller set and equips them with all-terrain tires.

Astride the grille sits a pair of LED headlights with complementary LED daytime running lights. Fog lights are added from the Sport upwards, and roof rails are included on all but the LX and EX-L. At the back, you get LED taillights and a small tailgate spoiler. Speaking of, the tailgate is power-operated from the EX-L, and it gets hands-free access on the Touring and Elite.

The 2024 Pilot is going strong after its redesign last year, giving buyers a spacious and well-appointed cabin, a decent amount of cargo space, and a good list of standard features - all at a pretty attractive price. Now that the exterior has been spruced up, we can't really find anything to complain about. That's not to say the Pilot is perfect, and the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are already very well established in the market, both with a slightly better warranty plan. They also have a little more power under the hood, which is handy when you're lugging around eight people and possibly a trailer, too. Still, the Pilot is extremely good at what it does, and it can tow just as much as the competition. The off-road-focused TrailSport is also a standout in the segment, giving the Honda more versatility and stronger appeal to a wider demographic. If you're willing to give the new kid on the block a try, you won't be disappointed.