When the third-gen Honda Pilot arrived in 2016, the SUV market was undergoing a major shift. Minivans, once a titan of the family-hauling market in the US, had lost much of their popularity. Because of this, SUVs were growing larger and more spacious, often incorporating third-row seating. Even models that historically didn’t offer three rows of seats, like the Nissan Pathfinder did in 2013.
The Pilot had come standard with three rows of seats since its inception in 2003. While the third-gen iteration kept the third row intact, it became the most technologically advanced Pilot to date. However, under its hood lives a simple V6 engine paired with a run-of-the-mill automatic gearbox. With its unique blend of complex tech and simple mechanicals, the third-gen Pilot became one of the most reliable used SUVs you can buy.
The Min-Maxxed Third-Gen Honda Pilot
2016 Honda Pilot finished in silver with tan interiorHonda
When the third-gen Pilot launched, it came with a then-new 3.5-liter V6. The mill belongs to Honda’s J-Series engine family and carries the code name “J35Y6.” It produces an adequate amount of power for the big Pilot, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.
The unit boasts Honda’s famous i-VTEC variable valve timing tech, along with the brand’s Earth Dreams direct fuel injection. To make the 3.5-liter mill as fuel-efficient as possible, Honda uses its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) tech. In essence, VCM is variable-displacement tech with a fancy name that can shut down two or three cylinders, depending on the engine load.
While many other automakers were building smaller, turbocharged four-cylinder engines for their mid-size SUVs, Honda strayed from the norm and kept the naturally aspirated V6 alive. In doing so, the brand preserved a good bit of reliability in the Pilot. Sure, fuel mileage may have suffered a bit. However, Honda’s dedication to natural aspiration helped set the Pilot apart from other models, such as the 2016 Kia Sorento, which offered a pair of four-cylinder engines for lower trims.
Buyers could choose between two transmissions for the third-gen Pilot, depending on the trim level selected. Lower-spec grades, such as the LX, EX, and EX-L, received a six-speed automatic gearbox. Moving up the trim-spec totem pole to the Touring or Elite flavors gave buyers a nine-speed automatic. Once 2021 arrived, the nine-speed became standard across all trims through the end of the 2022 model year, as the fourth-gen Pilot debuted in 2023.
Third-Gen Versus Second-Gen Pilot
The third-gen Pilot is roughly 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing second-gen version so that it can save a little more fuel than its predecessor. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2016 Pilot achieves a combined fuel economy rating of 22 mpg, while its predecessor gets 20 mpg.
The newer Pilot, despite being lighter, also offers more interior space for passengers. During a long-term road test, Car and Driver noted that the third-gen Pilot’s particularly useful second- and third-row seating arrangement made it easy to haul large loads or load kids into the third row.
While the Pilot always offered all-wheel drive, the third-gen iteration took things to the next level with selectable drive modes. For the first time, drivers could choose from four distinct selections: Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud. On top of that, the i-VTM4 (Intelligent Variable Torque Management) AWD system now featured torque vectoring, meaning it could adjust how much power went to each wheel independently in real time.
An Old-School Engine Meets A Sophisticated SUV
2016 Honda Pilot interior view of the front cabinHonda
When the 2016 Pilot first hit the scene, Honda described it as having the most comprehensive collection of advanced safety and driver-assistance tech at the time. All trims received a reverse camera, Hill Start Assist, and Brake Assist. Vehicle Stability Control (VSA) and traction control also came standard. Once you got into higher-spec Pilots, however, things changed quite a bit.
On the EX and EX-L trims, Honda offered its Honda Sensing driver assistance suite. If selected, owners got adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, along with collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and road departure mitigation. The EX and higher grades also got Honda LaneWatch, which showed a camera display of the right lane on the infotainment screen via a camera mounted on the passenger side mirror. For those who sprung for the high-end Touring or Elite models, all Honda Sensing tech came as standard, along with blind-spot monitoring.
The tech extended outside the cabin, too. When Honda engineers were designing the Pilot, they incorporated Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which used high- and ultra-high-strength steel. These sturdy materials helped reduce damage and injury in a collision. Honda’s ACE structure also deflected and redirected crash energy around occupants.
It’s safe to say that, despite the old-school engine, the rest of the third-gen Pilot was thoroughly tech-laden. The huge array of safety gizmos and Honda’s ACE engineering means that, if you’re in the market for a family vehicle, buying a 10-year-old Honda doesn’t mean leaving desirable safety features on the table. Instead, you’d be well catered to.
A Long-Term Test Proved The Third-Gen Pilot’s Mettle
2016 Honda Pilot interior view of the cargo space with seats downHonda
We mentioned it earlier, but Car and Driver put a third-gen Pilot through a grueling 40,000-mile long-term road test when the model first came out. One hallmark of the publication’s findings was that the Pilot didn’t need to visit a service center for any unexpected repairs during those 40,000 miles. Their Pilot required routine maintenance four times during that time. Across all four visits, the total was just under $600, or roughly $150 per visit. This aligns well with RepairPal‘s estimated annual maintenance cost of roughly $457 per year, well under the site’s reported average of $573 for all mid-size SUVs.
The third-gen Pilot’s V6 is particularly reliable, and being naturally aspirated likely helped keep the engine healthier for longer. Those with a mechanical inclination know that a low-stressed, naturally aspirated mill tends to last longer than a performance-focused mill.
What About European SUVs?
Press image of 2016 BMW X5 M BMW
Another claim we should be cautious about is that every third-gen Pilot will outlive any European SUV. However, broadly speaking, a Pilot should stay on the road longer than one of its European competitors. By and large, European SUVs come with much more complicated powertrains and electronics. Not to mention, component costs are usually higher. They typically aren’t as reliable, either, although there are some exceptions. As an example, a 2016 BMW X5 has an average annual maintenance cost of $1,157, a stark difference from the Pilot’s estimated $457 per year.
The Third-Gen Pilot Isn’t Bulletproof, But That’s What Makes The Best Ones Worth Buying
2016 Honda Pilot finished in silver with tan interiorHonda
While pretty good, the third-gen Pilot isn’t perfect. For one thing, it’s been involved in an NHTSA investigation surrounding connecting rod bearing failures, which came on the heels of an earlier recall that affected certain Honda and Acura models. There was also a large rear subframe corrosion recall that affected 2016-2022 Pilots, because the entire rear section would simply rot away. This was a big problem in Rust Belt states like Ohio and Michigan. Because of this, if you’re in the market for one, always run a VIN check to see whether the proper fixes have been completed, especially if you live in the Rust Belt.
The long-term test we discussed previously and RepairPal.com’s below-average yearly maintenance estimate are strong evidence if you’re considering buying a third-gen Pilot. However, we can’t necessarily say every third-gen will last upwards of 300,000 miles. Every vehicle lives a different life on the road. Some may have been abused, meaning they’d reach the end of their lives quicker. Overall, the third-gen is seen as reliable but, as always, make sure to do your due diligence before deciding. Oh, and don’t forget to ask for service history.
2021 Honda Pilot Front 3/4, offroadHonda
With the third-gen Pilot, Honda took a unique route. It kept a simple, straightforward powertrain but built a sophisticated, technologically advanced three-row SUV around it. Where it needed to be simple, it was, and where it needed to be complex, it was. This means it’s reliable in all the right places.
Sources: Honda, Car and Driver, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, RepairPal.com.
