The Honda Pilot is one of the few three-row eight seater vehicles on the market. If you’re needing that extra space for the family. The Pilot is a great starting point. Since the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX share the same platform, you are getting much of the same car for a significantly less starting price.

Although the 2022 Honda Pilot is very similar to the competition in many ways, it still offers fantastic reliability and comfort that makes it a solid choice for an eight seater SUV.

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Overview Of The Honda Pilot

2022 Honda Pilot third row seating
Source:wikipedia

The first generation Honda Pilot was introduced in 2002 as a full-size crossover SUV. The success of the first-gen Pilot led Honda to continue with building a second generation in 2009, and then the third generation in 2016.

Honda also used this same platform for the successful Acura MDX line. You may notice they share the same engines, transmissions, and other features. However, The Acura tends to focus more on the luxury and sport aspects of the vehicle.

The third-generation Honda Pilot is also the current generation which had a facelift in 2019.

Engine, Performance And Pricing Of The 2022 Pilot

The 2022 Honda Pilot has a starting MSRP of $38,805 which is for the base sport trim. The highest starting MSRP for the Honda Pilot is the Black Edition trim which starts at $52,595. There are several trims in between such as the EX-L($41,035), Special Edition($41,635), TrailSport($45,535), Touring ($45,595), and Elite ($51,095).

As for the powertrain, the only engine available in the 2022 Honda Pilot is a SOHC 24-valve V-6 with an aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection, and 3.5-liter displacement. It produces a strong 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Car and Driver list the 0-60 mph tune of 6.2 seconds which is rather impressive considering the vehicle weighs 4,327 lbs.

Interior And Technology

The 2022 Honda has a very nice interior made with families in mind. The third row seating is a great feature but really should only be used for children or short distance. You can expect to be able to load up just about anything in its enormous cargo area. Base trims offer just a display, while the EX trim gives you satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Navigation can also be added on EX trim but is a standard option on the Touring and Elite level trims.

Reliability And Fuel Economy

Hondas have a strong reputation for being one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. The Honda Pilot is no exception to this.

One reliability advantage is due to its naturally aspirated V6 engine. In most cases, a naturally aspirated V6 will be more reliable than a turbocharged engine.

With dozens of 5-star reviews on the internet by consumers, the third Generation Honda Pilot seems to be a great reliable option even after the factory warranty expires.

EPA fuel economy for the 2022 Honda Pilot is listed at 19 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg. However, many owners have listed averages much lower at around 18-20 mpg. If you’re looking to get a better MPG like a Prius, you will be mistaken.

Without hybrid technology, it can be difficult to get improved fuel economy at over 4,000 lbs. This technology adds a cost of a few thousand dollars. You can certainly buy a decent amount of fuel for that.

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Competitors Of The 2022 Honda Pilot

Kia Telluride
Source:wikipedia

While many 3 row SUVs are available, many of them have a starting price of over $50,000. These SUVs may not be attainable for the everyday working-class person, so the Honda Pilot has a clear advantage. The main competitors in this price range to the Pilot is the Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent.

The Kia is the new kid on the block and does offer some clear advantages over the Pilot. The first is Kia’s 100,000 miles 10-year powertrain warranty. The next is performance. The Telluride has 11 more horsepower, but the torque is exactly the same.

The Subaru Ascent is also known for its reliability as a brand and the Ascent could be a good choice. Although the starting prices for all cars are about the same, the highest level trim of the Ascent is several thousand dollars less than the Honda or Kia.

According to Edmunds, the Pilot and Telluride have superior V6 engine powertrains which are smoother and less jerky than the Subaru’s turbocharged 4-cylinder. It comes down to which brand you like best as these competitors have similar performance, comfort, and price.