Honda · 2002–present

Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by Honda since 2002 for the 2003 model year. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Pilot is the largest SUV produced by Honda. As of 2025, the Pilot is manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, and the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario, until April 2007. The first generation Pilot was released in April 2002 as a 2003 model. The Pilot shares its platform with the Acura MDX, as well as the North American market Odyssey minivan. The Pilot's unibody construction and independent suspension are designed to provide handling similar to that of a car, and it has integrated perimeter frame rails to permit towing and light off-road use. Prior to the introduction of the Pilot, Honda marketed the compact crossover CR-V, midsize crossover MDX, the midsize Passport (rebadged Isuzu Rodeo) fullsize Crossroad (rebadged Land Rover Discovery series 1) and Acura SLX (rebadged Isuzu Trooper). Unlike the Passport, Crossroad and SLX which were truck-based body-on-frame designs, the Pilot shared a unibody construction layout akin to the Accord-based MDX. The Pilot is Honda's largest SUV, although the 2010 Crosstour surpassed the Pilot in length. The Pilot is sold in North America and the Middle East, while the Honda MDX (first generation Acura MDX) was marketed in Japan and Australia for several years. The second-generation Pilot was also sold in Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Latin America, and the Philippines.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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First generation (YF1/2; 2003)

=== Specifications === The first-generation Pilot was unveiled in December 2001 and later released for sale on June 3, 2002 for the 2003 model year. The 2003 and 2004 Pilot models featured the J35A4 engine, an all-aluminum 3.5L V6 SOHC with VTEC, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 242 lb⋅ft (328 N⋅m) of torque. The 2005 Pilot received a new engine, the J35A6, which added drive-by-wire throttle and produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 250 lb⋅ft (339 N⋅m) of torque. Other changes included the transmission with revised 4th and 5th gear ratios providing a smoother transition between gears, along with a new fuel tank design, increasing the Pilot's driving range by over 40 mi (64 km). All Pilots from 2003-2005 feature VTM-4, Honda's four-wheel drive system. The Pilot received more updates in 2005 starting with the 2006 model year, engines were either the J35Z1 (FWD) or the J35A9 (4WD). Both engines were rated at 244 hp (182 kW) and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) of torque; the power reduction is because Honda used the updated SAE net power standard. This was the first time 4WD was not standard on the Pilot. The new FWD models featured Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which can deactivate up to three cylinders under light load to increase fuel economy, to help control noise from the system Honda added Active Control Engine Mount System (ACM) and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Further, this version of the J35 featured updated iVTEC and the automatic transmission a shorter 1st gear ratio. With powertrain updates and the lack of VTM-4 the FWD version had improved fuel economy of 18-city/24-highway, an increase of +1/+2 mpg versus the 4WD. All Pilots from this generation feature a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot has front struts with a coil-spring, multilink rear suspension

Second generation (YF3/4; 2009)

The larger second generation Pilot was unveiled as a prototype in January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show, and was released for sale on May 22, 2008. Assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, it was offered in five trims; LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and SE (2015 only). All second generation Pilots used a new J35Z4 3.5-liter V6 i-VTEC engine producing 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) SAE net at 5700 rpm and 253 lb⋅ft (343 N⋅m) of torque at 4800 rpm. EPA fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg‑US (14 L/100 km) city /23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km) highway with front-wheel-drive and 16 mpg city / 22 mpg highway for all-wheel-drive. Competing with the Toyota 4Runner, it became popular for its truck-like look, which was designed with influences from GM's full-size Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon. However it was downsized for better fuel efficiency in the third generation. Both drivetrains were equipped with five-speed automatics. The second generation's wheelbase is 109.2 in (2,774 mm), with a length of 190.9 in (4,849 mm), a width of 78.5 in (1,994 mm), a height of 72.7 in (1,847 mm) and interior space of 153.7 cu ft (4.35 m3). The redesigned headlights lost the previous generation's halogen projectors and return to standard halogen reflectors. Features included new two-position memory settings for the driver's seat, a new power tailgate, and the gear shift was relocated from the steering column to the center console between the front seats. The Touring trim included special "Touring" badging on the right side of the back door, a 120-volt power outlet, and a satellite-linked Honda navigation system. The backup camera, previously only on Navigation models, was integrated into the rear view mirror of the non-navigation leather-trimmed models (EX-L). Model year changes. T

Third generation (YF5/6; 2016)

The third-generation Pilot debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2015, and production began in May. It was made available for sale on June 18, 2015 for the 2016 model year. The exterior is sleeker in appearance compared to its boxier predecessor with a 10 percent reduction in drag area. Added to the exterior are standard LED brake and tail lights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on EX trims and above, and LED headlamps with automatic high-low beam switching the on new Elite model with special "Elite" badging. The Elite trim level also gained features that were new to the Pilot, including ventilated front seats, heated rear captain's chairs which reduced the seating capacity to seven from eight, and a panoramic roof. Alloy wheels became standard. Newly available safety features include Honda's LaneWatch passenger-side mirror camera or Blind Spot Information (BSI) and rear Cross Traffic Monitor. Additional options, including Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are available as part of the Honda Sensing suite. A tri-angle backup camera is standard with dynamic guidelines optional. The revised 3.5-liter V6 engine has direct-injection and a start-stop system (on the Touring and Elite trims) with improved power at 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS), a 6-speed automatic is standard on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims while a ZF 9-speed automatic is standard on the Touring and Elite trims. With all-wheel drive models the amount of engine torque sent to each rear wheel is variable. EPA-estimated fuel economy is improved with front-wheel drive (FWD) 6-speed models registering 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km)/27 mpg‑

Fourth generation (YG1/2; 2023)

The fourth-generation Pilot made its debut on November 7, 2022. It went on sale on December 12, 2022 for the 2023 model year. A DOHC (non-VTEC) 3.5-liter J35Y8 V6 engine with 285 horsepower (213 kW; 289 PS) and 262 lb⋅ft (355 N⋅m) of torque powers this generation Honda Pilot replacing the previous J35Y6 V6 engine. It is paired to a Honda ten-speed automatic gearbox which replaces the ZF 9HP automatic gearbox. This generation of Pilot contends directly with Toyota's 2023 Grand Highlander, becoming bigger in size while keeping the sleek body for reduced drag and weight. At launch, there were six distinct trim levels available: LX, Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. In March 2024, for the 2025 model year, Honda reintroduced the Black Edition (available on the 2020-2022 model year Pilots) trim level to the Pilot. The Black Edition includes 20-inch black alloy wheels, black trim and emblems, red trimmed interior, red LED ambient lighting, Black Edition on seats, and more. The 2025 model year saw the LX trim being discontinued, with the Sport becoming the entry-level trim. Facelift (2026). The 2026 model year Pilot refresh was unveiled on November 18, 2025. The refresh saw a redesigned front fascia with a larger grille, new exterior colors, a larger 10.2-inch Digital Instrument Cluster (43% larger than the pre-facelift model), all models received a new larger 12.3-inch touchscreen (37% larger than the pre-facelift model) with a new Human Machine Interface (HMI) software, wireless compatibility for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, new interior upholsteries, the addition of insulation materials to reduce engine, road and wind noise, improvised standard equipment across the line-up and a new Post-Collision Braking system. The TrailSport model for the Pilot was also refr

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda Pilot

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

2002–present

Model years

2003–present

Class

Mid-size crossover SUV

Body style

5-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (2003–present), Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (2006–present)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3139963CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_PilotCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377703041 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2023_Honda_Pilot_Touring,_front.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Kevauto · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://automobiles.honda.com/pilotLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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