Finding a safe, reliable, and affordable used family SUV can be challenging. With so many to choose from, where to begin? We think the Honda Pilot is an excellent starting point. The 3-row Pilot has been a family favorite for as long as it's been on sale, and its record of longevity, strong resale value, and excellent safety scores is legendary. The midsize Pilot first arrived in 2003, and each generation has grown larger with an eye on the competition and the need for more interior space. A common thread across all generations is a potent V6 engine, optional all-wheel drive (AWD), and Honda's unique way of doling out features by trim, not in packages or as standalone options. Let's dig deeper and see which generation Honda Pilot works for you.
Honda Pilot Generations
- Honda Pilot 4th Generation
- Honda Pilot 3rd Generation
- Honda Pilot 2nd Generation
- Honda Pilot 1st Generation
Honda Pilot (4th Generation: 2023 - Current)
Key Improvements: The latest Pilot is leaps and bounds above its predecessor. For one, it's bigger, which is impressive as the last generation Pilot was already pretty roomy. The Pilot's dynamic design is uncharacteristic of previous Pilot SUVs. Under the hood, though, we find a familiar scene, with the same 3.5-liter V6 pumping out 5 more horsepower and returning a combined fuel economy rating of up to 22 mpg. What's unfamiliar is a revised TrailSport trim that brings added ground clearance, a specially designed suspension and AWD system, skid plates, and a rugged appearance package to match its off-road capability. It even comes with a multi-camera surround-view monitor. The Pilot's interior feels more modern than before but still retains essential dials and knobs where needed. The dash-mounted touchscreen is bigger, with most trims offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. One particularly helpful feature is Walk Away Close, which automatically closes the tailgate and locks the vehicle once you walk away. The versatile seating setup consists of a removable second-row center section, which stows beneath the rear cargo floor. The fourth generation Pilot has more safety and driver-assist systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, which can steer, accelerate, and brake at speeds under 45 mph, making bumper-to-bumper traffic a bit less arduous.
Missing from the Pilot menu is a hybrid powertrain option, something many competitors offer. One of its oldest rivals, the Toyota Highlander, has been available as a hybrid since 2006.
Honda Pilot (3rd Generation: 2016 - 2022)
Key Improvements: The third-generation Pilot couldn't be more different than the second-generation vehicle. It's better in almost every way. The look is sleeker, abandoning the previous Pilot's boxy design. The cabin space is nearly identical, but the interior ambiance has a high-end feeling, offering a cleaner look, softer surfaces, more color, and more high-tech equipment. Previously unavailable features include the Honda Sensing driver-assist suite with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic detection. Honda's LaneWatch passenger-side blind-spot camera is also available. Digging through the various trims reveals more upgrades, including ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic glass moonroof, and proximity keyless entry with push-button start. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come aboard, accompanied by a better audio system. The V6 gets a big bump in output, from 250 to 280 horsepower. Two transmission choices are split by trim choices, with entry-level LX and EX trim using a 6-speed automatic and Elite and Touring equipped with a 9-speed, the latter adding a few more mpg to the Pilot's city and highway fuel economy ratings.
Model Updates: For 2017, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto joined the EX standard equipment list. The 2019 model year brings a mild exterior refresh, the inclusion of Honda Sensing to the standard equipment list, a retuned 9-speed transmission, and a hands-free power liftgate. For 2021, the 9-speed is the only transmission, and the LX trim gains dual-zone automatic climate control. The 2022 Pilot adds the Sport and TrailSport trims.
Honda Pilot (2nd Generation: 2009 - 2015)
Key Improvements: The second-generation Pilot may be the most distinctive. Its squared-off lines, upright windows, and unusual dash design, including a dash-mounted gear selector, deviate wildly from the original design. This generation offers more room, power, and better fuel economy than the first Pilot while still using the same size V6 engine. With 2 inches more legroom in the third-row seat, the Pilot can now comfortably fit eight adults. Safety features mirror the first generation's features, including front-side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and electronic traction and stability control. New features unknown to the original Pilot include hill start assist, a rearview mirror camera display, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, voice-activated navigation, and driver's seat dual-position memory.
Model Updates: Starting in 2011, the voice-activated navigation system was offered on more trims. The 2012 model year brought a mild refresh, updated audio systems, Bluetooth, and a new 8-inch multi-information display for the EX-L. More standard equipment was added to the base model in 2013.
Honda Pilot (1st Generation: 2003 - 2008)
The first Honda Pilot offers room for up to eight people, but its third-row seat is only suitable for kids. All-wheel drive comes standard for the first three years, after which a front-drive model is offered. This is the first time Honda plays around with cylinder deactivation technology and it didn’t go so well, ending in a class action lawsuit.
Used Honda Pilot Prices by Generation
- Honda Pilot 4th Generation - $44,155 Average price
- Honda Pilot 3rd Generation - $28,104 Average price
- Honda Pilot 2nd Generation - $12,065 Average price
- Honda Pilot 1st Generation - $6,295 Average price
Used Honda Pilot Prices by Year
- 2024 Honda Pilot - $45,757 Average Price
- 2023 Honda Pilot - $43,191 Average Price
- 2022 Honda Pilot - $33,873 Average Price
- 2021 Honda Pilot - $30,690 Average Price
- 2020 Honda Pilot - $27,921 Average Price
- 2019 Honda Pilot - $25,724 Average Price
- 2018 Honda Pilot - $23,176 Average Price
- 2017 Honda Pilot - $20,792 Average Price
- 2016 Honda Pilot - $18,834 Average Price
- 2015 Honda Pilot - $15,071 Average Price
- 2014 Honda Pilot - $13,741 Average Price
- 2013 Honda Pilot - $12,626 Average Price
- 2012 Honda Pilot - $11,016 Average Price
- 2011 Honda Pilot - $10,014 Average Price
- 2010 Honda Pilot - $9,351 Average Price
- 2009 Honda Pilot - $8,273 Average Price
- 2008 Honda Pilot - $7,125 Average Price
- 2007 Honda Pilot - $6,810 Average Price
- 2006 Honda Pilot - $6,000 Average Price
- 2005 Honda Pilot - $5,982 Average Price
- 2004 Honda Pilot - $5,078 Average Price
- 2003 Honda Pilot - $5,340 Average Price
