2017 Honda Pilot

The 2017 Honda Pilot is a highly rated midsize SUV. The Pilot is known for its generous cabin space, refined interior, 8-passenger seating, decent towing, and off-road capabilities. and ample available safety technology. However, it's not perfect, and like most Honda's has a frustrating touch-screen infotainment system.

The latest 2017 Honda Pilot boasts a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with decent power and torque, which counts for a mini-van type family vehicle. The car attracts buyers with its best-in-class cargo capacity and fuel economy along with a reasonable price tag. Let's check out the 2017 Pilot's ratings in all categories of the review.

The 2017 Honda Pilot costs $30,595 for the base model and prices range up to $41,670 for the top-range Touring trim. Honda offers a 2017 Pilot with standard a front-wheel-drive system though an all-wheel-drive is an $1800 option on all trims. Some of the standard specs and features of Pilot include a 3.5L V6 engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, one-touch turn indicators, rear privacy glass, and a Multi-angle rearview camera.

The EX trim features additional features including an Automatic headlight, LED daytime running lights, a Honda lane watch, an Blind spot monitoring system, an updated 8-inch infotainment display, a Tri-zone climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The EX-L trim offers a one-touch power moonroof, a Leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power tailgate, leather-trimmed interiors, and a Heated front passenger's seat with a 4-way adjustment.

"With ample power and respectable handling, the Pilot is among the athletes in the three-row SUV segment. It's a winner on mountain roads, easily gets up to speed, and can manage light towing and slippery surfaces with the optional all-wheel drive." - Edmunds

2017 Honda Pilot Engine and Transmission

The 2017 Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine which is good for 280 hp and 262 pound-feet of torque. The competitors also use a V6 but offer slightly more power rated at 293 hp for Dodge Durango, and 310 hp for GMC Acadia Denali. Trim levels up to EX-L feature a 6-speed automatic transmission while the upper trim levels feature 9-speed automatic transmission with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) and paddle shifters. The 9-speed is not as smooth as the 6-speed automatic. 

Though Honda Pilot's engine performance seems average on paper, the real-life performance is much better. The engine is smooth and offers a solid drive, be it in the city or on the highway.

2017 Honda Pilot 0-60 mph and Quartermile Acceleration

The 2017 Honda Pilot shows impressive results in the acceleration segment with one of the quickest 0-60 mph times. The crossover takes just 6.5 seconds to sprint from zero to 60 mph. The quarter-mile results are again in favor of the Pilot; the SUV takes only 15.1 seconds for a quarter-mile lap.

On the other hand, competitors like Dodge Durango SXT, GMC Acadia Denali, and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited take 7.6, 6.3, and 6.7 seconds in the 0-60 acceleration test. The 2017 Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds with an all-wheel-drive while the front-wheel-drive Pilot has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

2017 Honda Pilot Ride and Handling

Honda Pilot offers above-average ride quality and driving experience in the large SUV segment. Both suspension and steering offer a precise response, thus keeping the Pilot composed and easy to manuever and offering a comfortable ride over uneven surfaces. Interior seats are comfortable and spacious enough which offers a decent level of comfort through the quality and interiors of the seats are more pleasing in the upper trims with heated, and adjustable seats. The steering offers decent grip and precision.

In spite of high curb weight, Honda Pilot feels lighter than most of the competitors in the segment. The 2017 Pilot features a decent off-road experience as well along with smooth acceleration and handling experience.

2017 Honda Pilot Braking

2017 Honda Pilot has a standard Automatic Braking System (ABS) with brake assist and a four-wheel disc braking system. The medium-sized braking pads in the Honda Pilot LX measure 12.6 and 13.0-inches for front and rear rotors respectively. The crossover slides 128 feet while stopping from 60 mph in the emergency braking test, which is average in the segment.

Dodge Durango being the heaviest takes a mere 124 feet to come to halt in panic braking, making it the segment leader for exemplary braking performance. All the cars in the competition have a smaller braking distance than the 2017 Pilot, though the Honda isn't particularly bad. 

The 2017 Honda Pilot impresses with its best-in-class fuel efficiency. In spite of high curb weight of 4054 lbs., the Pilot returns EPA fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highways. By comparison, the Dodge Durango, and Hyundai Santa Fe offers slightly lower gas mileage numbers.

The combined fuel economy of the Pilot stands at 22 mpg while the rivals i.e. Dodge Durango SXT, GMC Acadia Denali, and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited offer a combined fuel efficiency of 21 mpg.

"Soft-touch trim is everywhere, correcting the major faux pas of the last-generation Pilot. There's a finer attention to detail everywhere—and at the EX-L trim level, an acoustic windshield blots out some noise." - The Car Connection

2017 Honda Pilot Interior Design and Features

The Pilot has a best-in-class space and has seating for up to eight passengers. The Elite trim replaces the second-row bench seat in favor of two captain's chairs  The three-row SUV not only has a good amount of space in the first two rows but there's enough space for adults in the third row.. The quality of material used in the dash and interiors feels somewhat better than the competitors. The rear seats are foldable and adjustable to expand the cargo space. Cloth upholstery is standard, but higher models may add leather-trimmed upholstery, heated seats, and ventilated front seats.

The standard interior features of the Honda Pilot include tilt and telescopic steering wheel, standard cooling system, and a standard 5-inch display screen though the upper trims feature tri-zone climate control, remote engine start, heated power-adjustable seats, updated 8-inch infotainment system, and interior ambient lighting.

2017 Honda Pilot LX features a small 5-inch infotainment system with a 7-speaker sound system. The connectivity features include USB, AUX Bluetooth on the board. The infotainment system isn't attractive and convenient because of the small screen in the Honda Pilot LX (base trim). The trims above LX feature a bigger 8-inch infotainment display with a better sound output system and connectivity features including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

2017 Honda Pilot Cargo Capacity

The 2017 Pilot's cargo space is on par with its competitors at 16.5 cubic feet behind the third-row seats. You get a bigger 46.8 cubic feet cargo area with those seats folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with both the second and third-row seats folded. However, the Pilot Elite's cargo space reduces by roughly an inch due to the captain's chair.

The cargo capacity increases to 46.2 ft. cube after folding the third row which is still marginally higher than GMC Acadia Denali and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited's 41.7 and 40.9 ft. cube but lower than the 47.7 ft. cube of Dodge Durango. The 2017 Honda Pilot offers a more than reasonable boot space considering its higher seating capacity. It can easily accommodate two large-size passenger bags even without folding the third row which is commendable.

"The Pilot's soft corners and rounded fenders are more appealing than the boxy shapes that preceded it. We've seen the look elsewhere--Traverse--but that doesn't diminish the elegance of the shape, or the better detailing." - The Car Connection

2017 Honda Pilot Dimensions and Weight

One of the likings of Pilot is its exterior styling, which differentiates it from a mechanically similar Honda Odyssey. The 2017 Honda Pilot is certainly not a minivan and includes sporty design, 18-inch alloy wheels, large headlights, and three large bonnet grills with Honda branding in the middle. Honda redesigned the Pilot in the 2016 model year, thus the 2017 Pilot is unchganed. In Touring and Elite trim, the whole package is dressed up with 20-in. alloy wheels. The build quality is reliable and long-lasting.

In terms of dimensions, the Honda Pilot measure 194.5 inches, 78.6 inches, and 69.8 for length, width, and height respectively. That brings ample of interior and cargo space in the car. Also, the large dimensions don't inhibit the handling and parking in tight spaces.

The 2017 Honda Pilot boasts above average ground clearance of 7.3 inches, also making the Pilot a decent off-roading partner. The track width (F/R) of the SUV counts at 66.3/66.3 (F/R) which is higher than the rivals through the 111-inch wheelbase of Pilot is smaller than the rivals.

The 2017 Honda Pilot gets the highest rating of Good in five crash tests conducted by IIHS, plus a Top Safety Pick+ designation. NHTSA  gives the 2017 Pilot a five-star overall rating. The Honda Pilot also features advanced safety systems as standard including a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control, Lane-keeping assist system, and tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The higher trims are also equipped with Blind-spot monitoring and Honda lane watch systems on the board. 

Safety Features

• Collision Mitigation Braking System 
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Information System
• Cross Traffic Monitor

2017 Honda Pilot vs Dodge Durango

Both Dodge and Honda offer a standard V6 engine in the Durango and Pilot. However, the Honda V6 engine delivers power more smoothly than the Durango.  The dimensions of Durango is bigger than the Pilot, still, the Pilot offers best-in-class cargo space behind the third row. Moreover, the 2017 Pilot offers better equipment as standard including safety technology. The Durango looks better and more rugged than the Pilot, so those with a knack for those looks should try the Dodge. However, the 2017 Honda Pilot is the best package for the price which delivers all-around performance and high reliability.

2017 Honda Pilot vs GMC Acadia

The 2017 GMC Acadia Denali has more power sill the Honda Pilot delivers better acceleration. The Pilot's 6-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and makes the ride interesting The Acadia Denali excels inside with highly intuitive infotainment systems. On the other hand, $15k cheaper, the 2017 Pilot offers better fuel economy, have more cargo capacity, and offers ground clearance for both on- and off-road driving.

2017 Honda Pilot vs Hyundai Santa Fe Limited

The 2017 Honda Pilot and Hyundai Santa Fe are the closest competitors in the mid-size crossover segment. The Santa Fe has better braking, responsive infotainment system, and upscale interiors when compared with the Pilot's base model. On the other hand, Honda Pilot scores better for its above-average cargo volume, quicker acceleration, three-rows of seating, and fuel economy. It is not hard to recommend the 2017 Pilot.

The 2017 Honda Pilot is majorly unchanged but after the 2016 update, the SUV is nearly perfect in all departments except for a lethargic infotainment system. In the base trim, Honda Pilot offers all desired features. The 2017 Pilot has a standard front-wheel-drive and optional all-wheel-drive The standard V6 engine delivers good acceleration while the ride is comfortable across surfaces. The 8-seater family crossover features convenient seating, decent-looking exteriors, best-in-class cargo capacity, and fuel economy. The used Honda Pilot is a good option to consider in the mid-size SUV segment.