MSRP: $31,045 - 47,955
8.5 /10
Rating
Pros
- Spacious Comfortable Three Rows
- Modern Stylish Family Hauler
- Strong Value Safety Leader
Cons
- Higher Trim Transmission Hesitation
- Dated Infotainment Interface Lag
- Moderate Ownership Cost Creep
2016 Honda Pilot Review with Vyocar
That VTEC snarl at 5,000 rpm is the only hint this family hauler wants to be more than just a people mover.
Overview
Okay, let’s be real: walking onto the parking lot for first impressions, the fully redesigned third-generation Pilot ditched the previous-generation’s blocky, big exterior for something way more modern and attractive, though maybe not dripping in lavish beauty. Underneath that Odyssey-aping skin lay solid Odyssey bones, meaning Honda knew how to move people. Inside, the overall interior felt built to withstand family life – think lighter-color door panels paired with darker carpet hiding inevitable wear, plus smart textured materials resisting tear and scratches. That nine-speed automatic hooked to the 280-hp V-6 was a major concern initially (would it hunt for gear?),
but proved surprisingly smooth on our long-term, gobbling up miles on road trips. Forget quirky analogies; this well-rounded Pilot nailed the high notes – Honda’s reputation for reliability, surprising value against strong choices like the Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Santa Fe, or even its sibling the Honda Passport, space for large families, and modern amenities made it a top-rated choice, a truly versatile smart people mover earning its spot as a class leader among best large crossovers. It just felt like a better choice, a family-friendly, roomy crossover that delivered comfort and worry-free ownership, landing it top of the list for happy soccer dads everywhere.
What’s New for 2016
Look, last year’s model was a paragon of blandness, like a blimp wearing blocky plasticky design. For 2016, Honda gave it a wholesale renovation, completely redesigned from the ground up. They axed hard edges, banished the boxy look, and gave it a softer form – an organic rounded shape that’s way more appealing and actually modern. Gains 1.7 inches wheelbase and is 3.5 inches longer overall (191.0 inches), meaning better cargo space that swallowed up my kid’s entire scout troop gear (and their activity book).
Inside, it’s light-years ahead – a lavished new interior with better seats (even heated second-row captain’s chairs on top-of-the-line trims!), refined materials, and elements like a huge panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats making it feel closer to a Volvo XC90 than its minivan cousin, though it’s still shucking that resemblance underneath. Features like the heated steering wheel and heated front seats are winner touches. The rounded new shape isn’t just for show; it’s genuinely easier to see out of than the old brick, finally feeling like a current Accord for ‘utes. A massive leap forward.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Pick
But if you go whole hog to the ultimate Pilot, the top-of-the-line Elite (total MSRP $47,955), you get the most feature-heavy version including Honda’s full complement of driver-assist features, heated rear seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs (so two in the second row instead of a bench), a Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment system with HDMI inputs and RCA inputs (four additional USB ports help!), LED ambient lighting, two sunroofs, and cooled front seats. All-wheel drive adds cost, and accessories like roof-rail crossbars ($225) or a trailer hitch ($360) bump the total price $47,955 even higher. Honestly, the Touring hits the sweet spot for Highlights without the Elite’s premium.
Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics
Alright, let’s talk guts. The 3.5-liter V6 packs 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque—enough power to hustle this big rig without feeling like you’re dragging a lumbering bear. Front-wheel drive is standard, but spring for optional all-wheel-drive with those handy Snow, Mud, Sand settings for when Mother Nature throws a tantrum. The rugged Honda Pilot TrailSport especially shines here, optimized for such terrain. Now, the transmission: Lower trims (LX, EX, EX-L) get a buttery six-speed automatic that just works. But step up to Touring or Elite, and you’re stuck with a nine-speed automatic that sometimes hunts for gears like it’s lost its keys.
Seriously, that gimmicky button-operated shifter, buttons for park, reverse, neutral? It’s like using a flip phone in 2023. Once you’re rolling, though, it’s smooth sailing. The 280hp/262ft-lbs delivers solid passing punch, hitting zero-60 mph in a respectable 6.6 seconds (faster than your minivan-owning neighbor, at least). Handling? Surprisingly precise for something this size, soaking up bumps like a champ. Just don’t expect corner-carving thrills—it’s more “comfortable couch” than “sports car.” Sure, the VTEC sound at 5,000rpm tries to convince you it’s sporty, but let’s be real: You bought this for the Costco run, not the racetrack.
Fuel Efficiency and Real World Testing
Alright, let’s get real about feeding this three‑row SUV. The EPA rating (19 city/27 highway/22 combined) looked hopeful. Realistically, my real‑world mixed driving – think brutal stop‑and‑go traffic punctuated by the occasional urge to hammer the throttle – saw me log an observed 22.1 mpg combined. Clocked a dead‑on 27 mpg on one steady highway run at 65–70 mph, which felt like a minor victory! That 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 (262 hp, 280 lb‑ft peaking at 4,300 rpm) pulls with a solid, strongly linear urge. It’s no gas guzzler, but tip into the VTEC band hard, and watch the mpg numbers drop faster than my resolve at a donut shop.
The 9‑speed auto can get a bit hunting and lean on early upshifts at low rpm, dragging efficiency in urban conditions; gentle inputs help. It favors higher gears cruising, though, feeling smooth. The 19.5‑gallon tank means range runs a respectable 420–440 miles highway, maybe 500 total if you baby it before the reserve light glares. Resist the surge for better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions (rated 0.89 lb/mi). Managed 18 mpg once playing pack mule? Yep. For something tipping the scales near 5,000 pounds, its ability to return decent mpg without feeling dead is genuinely impressive. Just don’t expect Prius numbers when you rev it hard.
Interior and Comfort
Step inside, and it’s clear Honda ditched the “bargain bin” vibe. The interior design feels like a leap forward – soft-touch surfaces replace hard plastics on the dash and door panels, giving it a legit upscale ambiance. Storage? Genius. You’ve got deep bins, shallow storage cubbies, map pockets, and thoughtfully located controls everywhere. The console’s lid slides open to reveal a cavern big enough to hold an iPad and a small camera bag (or three drive-thru burgers, no judgment). Seats are the real win: wide soft cushions up front, and second-row captain’s chairs that slide forward or fold with a button touch, creating a wide passage to the shockingly adult-friendly third row. Need to haul gear? Pushing a button folding forward the middle row opens up better cargo space than a Subaru Outback’s ego. Compared to rivals like the Hyundai Palisade, fancy lavish luxury features like the flip-down roof-mounted TV screen (RIP, peace) and 2-section panoramic moonroof keep kids quiet and skies visible. Noise? Honda packed in acoustic materials, making highway cabin life comfortable and soothing.
Cargo & Practicality
Let’s be real: cargo space is where this thing shines. Pop the power rear hatch (even via the dash-mounted button, magic when your hands are full), and you’re greeted by a vast, useful area. Need to cram in beach chairs, a massive 82-quart cooler, or dirty soccer cleats? The reversible cargo floor flips to a durable side, so grime won’t murder your resale value. Fold the third-row seatbacks flat (folds flat is key here), and suddenly you’ve got 83.8 cubic feet back there—enough to swallow a small studio apartment.
Even with the third row up, there’s space for a lunchbox or iPad. But the real win? Those second-row seats. Push a button, and they slide forward or tilt effortlessly—reducing the strength needed to move them. No Hulk muscles required! Resulting pass-through makes climbing to the back almost graceful (almost). Abundant cubbies, deep door pockets, and a console big enough for two lunches? Yeah, it’s practical. Just don’t expect it to hide your questionable life choices. It’s thoughtful packaging like this that puts it ahead of rivals such as the Mazda CX-9 Signature in everyday versatility.
Tech & Connectivity
Let’s talk tech – and brace yourself. The 8.0-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface looks slick but can be frustratingly slow to respond, like your grandpa trying to use Snapchat. The Garmin-based navigation system feels dated; rerouting takes longer than deciding on pizza toppings, and those 3-D map views? More gimmick than help. You get USB ports (bless ‘em) and an HDMI port for the rear DVD entertainment system – basically a $1,500 babysitter that requires actual DVDs.
Remember those? Siri Eyes Free integration? It’s there, but Siri sounds more confused than helpful. Want Apple CarPlay or a proper Android interface? Nope. Not in 2016. The upside? Physical buttons for climate and audio – a blessing in disguise when the laggy touchscreen inevitably freezes mid-road trip. It handles basic communications and entertainment functions, but don’t expect it to predictively read your mind. Or your mood.
Safety
Alright, let’s talk safety – Honda didn’t skimp. Standard on every trim? A solid rearview camera and stability control, plus a whole army of airbags. But the real party starts with the Honda Sensing package (available on EX and EX-L, standard on Touring and Elite). This bundles adaptive cruise control that annoyingly insists on maintaining constant safe distances, lane departure warning that buzzes if you even think about drifting (like a hypersensitive alarm), and the forward-collision mitigation system. That last one? It’ll brake for you if you’re zoning out towards the car ahead – handy, if slightly insulting.
The Elite throws in blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which beeps frantically backing out of the Trader Joe’s parking lot like you’re defusing a bomb. Oh, and that quirky LaneWatch camera? It shows your blind side in the dash display when you signal right – weird, but weirdly useful. It’s packed with collision mitigation tech, making it feel less like a crossover and more like a nervous chaperone. Real-world safety cred? Absolutely top-tier.
Warranty and Maintenance Plan
Alright, let’s talk warranty – Honda throws you a decent security blanket, but don’t expect a cashmere one. You get 3 yrs/36,000 miles of BASIC bumper-to-bumper coverage (think corrosion protection, cabin filters, the essentials) and a more reassuring 5 yrs/60,000 miles for the POWERTRAIN (engine, transmission, differential – the expensive guts). Roadside ASSISTANCE? That’s bundled for 3 years/unlimited miles, handy when your kid locks the keys in again.
Now, maintenance costs – yeah, it’s gonna siphon your wallet a bit. Routine oil changes and fluid top-offs run about $341.96, while tire rotation and mount/balance pushes it to $378.62. Expect $349.50 for cabin/engine filters, and the big 60,000-mile service hits around $442. Tally it up? Roughly $1,330 for the first 5 years/60,000 miles. Just remember – “NORMAL-WEAR” items like brakes or wipers? Those are on your dime. Good luck arguing that bald tire wasn’t “Normal.”
Final Verdict
After 10,000 miles and countless kids’ sleepovers, here’s the final verdict: Honda absolutely nailed this redesign. They took the sensible Odyssey bones, wrapped them in legit good-looking, modern styling, and created a family-friendly three-row crossover that’s shockingly easy to operate daily. It’s not trying to be a macho off-roader or a sportier SUV – it’s a capable, sensible people mover perfected. The driving experience is relaxed (stick with the six-speed trims!), the passenger space is vast, and the available Honda Sensing safety tech is a game-changer. Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF)? Sky-high, especially in EX-L or Elite trims with their near-luxury touches. Against rivals like the Highlander or Traverse, the Pilot’s practicality, comfort, and strong improvements make it a fantastic family vehicle and a top contender in the class. Highly recommended for families who need to haul stuff without sacrificing sanity. It just works.
More images of the 2016 Honda Pilot
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