Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is a three-row midsize SUV that has been a cornerstone of the family hauler segment for over two decades. Targeting households that need genuine eight-passenger capacity without stepping into truck-based territory, the Pilot competes in one of the most hotly contested spaces in the American market. It blends everyday practicality with Honda's reputation for refined engineering, making it a perennial consideration for buyers prioritizing space and safety.

The Honda Pilot earns a best NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, achieved in the 2023 model year, which places it in the Strong performance band for that year. Crash-test results across covered years show a mixed but generally capable picture: side protection is the clear highlight at a full 5 out of 5 stars, while frontal and rollover ratings both land at 4 out of 5 stars. That rollover score is worth noting for a tall, three-row SUV, and shoppers should factor it into their thinking. The recall picture is harder to dismiss. Across the 2019 through 2025 model years, the Pilot has accumulated 54 recalls, a figure that sits meaningfully above what we consider routine for the segment. While recalls are a normal part of the automotive safety ecosystem and Honda has generally responded to them, the volume here warrants attention. Shoppers should verify their specific VIN is clear before purchase using NHTSA's free lookup tool. Owner complaints total 2,202 across the covered span, including 54 reported crashes and 50 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but the numbers are substantial enough to take seriously. No deaths were reported in this dataset, which is a meaningful data point. Bottom line: the Pilot's crash-test performance is solid, particularly on side protection, but the recall volume and complaint count are the real story shoppers need to weigh carefully.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Honda Pilot as one of the more polished and well-rounded three-row family SUVs in its class, praising its composed ride, practical interior packaging, and user-friendly technology. Most consider it a strong default choice for families, though some note that the competitive segment means buyers have several compelling alternatives worth cross-shopping.