2017 Honda Pilot Road Test and Review

2017 Honda Pilot exterior profile ・ Photo by Honda

The 2017 Honda Pilot Touring model is a popular choice among three-row crossovers, combining premium comfort and design cues with a versatile cabin and fuel-efficient powertrain. It’s also worth noting that the Pilot was launched in its all-new generation just last year, so that this award-winning entry remains near the front of the pack in cutting-edge safety and infotainment technologies. Indeed, the Pilot adds the latest Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration for 2017, and that feature isn’t just standard on uplevel trims like the Touring model; it’s also standard for the affordable EX grade that’s only one step above the entry version. Also, all trims with the distinctive White Diamond Pearl exterior finish can now match that color with a sophisticated Black cabin theme.

Pricing

The 2017 Honda Pilot Touring model is fairly high up in the brand’s positioning, but its MSRP of $41,670 is still $5300 below the starting point of the range-toppin Elite, which has standard all-wheel drive. For comparison’s sake, the all-wheel-drive Touring trim—with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission and upsize 20-inch alloy wheels—has a sticker price of $43,470. Further, some of the Pilot’s chief competition, such as the 2017 Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder, don’t offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay at any price. Pricing for the rest of the Pilot portfolio: LX, $30,595; EX, $33,030; EX-L, $36,455; Elite, $47,070. (All prices are without the Pilot’s $900 destination charge.)

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Power, Performance, Fuel Economy

Beneath the boldly carved hood of the 2017 Honda Pilot is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that incorporates direct injection, cylinder-deactivation technology, and the automaker’s signature i-VTEC valve-timing system. As a result, that V6 yields an impressive 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, along with a standard tow rating of 3500 lb. Drivers who opt for the Pilot’s sophisticated “intelligent variable torque management” all-wheel-drive system can pull up to 5000 lb. The Pilot is relatively fuel efficient too, particularly when configured with the 9-speed automatic transmission that’s standard in the Touring trim. That gearbox means EPA ratings of 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 19/26/22 with AWD.

Photo by Honda

Exterior Design and Lighting

Thick horizontal grille bars, prominently sculpted foglight pockets and LED taillights are standard on all models of the 2017 Honda Pilot, blending with swept-back headlights and distinct character lines for a modern yet rugged appearance. There’s a definite family resemblance to the popular Honda CR-V as well, thanks to the Pilot’s angled lower window frame for the third row. In the Touring edition, the side mirrors also add LED turn-signal indicators and a tilt-down function for an improved view when reversing; AWD Touring models have heated side mirrors, too. Honda also helps with capability, by furnishing standard roof rails and a power rear liftgate for the Pilot Touring grade. To elevate style in this trim, the Pilot upgrades to 20-inch alloy wheels, complemented by chrome door handles and a one-touch power-opening moonroof.

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Interior Design and Capacities

A large, leather-trimmed cabin highlights the 2017 Honda Pilot Touring, which boasts heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable one for the driver that also has power lumbar support. The front passenger enjoys four-way power adjustability, while the second-row seats have an electrically assisted “one-touch” folding mechanism for easy access to the third row. Standard tri-zone climate control delivers more comfort, as does a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In cargo capacity, the Pilot provides 18.5 cubic feet behind the third row, and per Honda, that's enough space for an 82-quart cooler. With the rear 60/40 split bench folded, owners benefit from 55.9 cubic feet of rear storage. With the second-row seatbacks also folded, the Pilot’s maximum cargo rating reaches 109 cubic feet. The most a Ford Explorer can hold is 81.7 cubic feet.

Photo by Honda

Infotainment and Audio Technology

We already mentioned the new smartphone-integration technology earlier in this test and review of the 2017 Honda Pilot Touring, but that’s just one part of the vehicle’s comprehensive infotainment package. First off, like all Pilots, the Touring comes with standard Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree calling and audio streaming. This uplevel trim then ups the ante with two USB ports, an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Pandora compatibility, SMS text messaging, voice recognition, HondaLink telematics, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and Honda’s satellite-linked navigation setup. Moreover, the Touring grade gets the range-topping 10-speaker audio system, backed by a subwoofer and 540 watts of power. And specifically for back-row passengers is a rear-seat entertainment package that’s standard in the Pilot Touring and has a 9-inch, headliner-mounted drop-down screen that can display DVD, Blu-Ray, and HMDI gaming inputs.

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Safety Technology and Ratings

The 2017 Honda Pilot Touring comes standard with Honda Sensing. This safety-enhancing suite of technologies pulls together features such as a collision-mitigation braking system, road-departure mitigation technology, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise. That technology earns the Pilot a “superior” rating from the IIHS, so that the Pilot Touring has a Top Safety Pick level of occupant protection (the range-topping Elite, with LED headlights, earns a full Top Safety Pick+ honor). Not part of the Honda Sensing package, but still quite helpful, is the Honda Lane Watch blind-spot system for the passenger side. Honda also provides a standard multi-angle rearview camera and advanced airbags throughout the Pilot portfolio, which has been awarded a 5-Star Overall Safety Score from NHTSA in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

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Available Equipment

With all those luxury touches already detailed in this review of the 2017 Honda Pilot Touring, folks might wonder what’s left for the Elite trim. Wonder no more: Available for Pilot owners at the top of the range are enhancements like automatic LED headlights and a panoramic glass roof that brings a feeling of extra space and light to the rear-seat passengers. Speaking of which, the Pilot Elite also switches to premium captain’s chairs—with perforated leather and heat—for a more premium environment in the second row. In the first row, the perforated-leather seats are heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel is heated and leather-wrapped. Other exclusive Elite content ranges from a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert to automatic high beams and rain-sensing wipers to HD Radio.

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Other Cool Info

We touched on the available all-wheel-drive technology for the 2017 Honda Pilot Touring, but the setup deserves a deeper dive. After all, this is no typical AWD system. Honda claims it’s the “most advanced” system in the Pilot’s competitive class, and it proves that point with “Intelligent Variable Torque Management.” This sytem relies on an electronically controlled rear differential and dynamic torque vectoring, to quickly and automatically adjust the torque between the Pilot’s rear wheels. The wheel with the best grip gets the most power, keeping the Pilot moving. Finally, Honda bolsters capability in all Pilot models, in all drive configurations, through its multi-mode Intelligent Traction Management System. AWD models have four settings (Normal, Snow, Sand, Mud, and the FWD Pilots have two (Normal, Snow).

Photo by Honda

Final Thoughts

The 2017 Honda Pilot Touring is the Honda of three-row crossovers. That means it’s a bit more refined than some of its mainstream rivals, and the Pilot pushes its advantage with smartphone technology that’s still missing elsewhere in the segment. The Pilot remains an eager worker, too, with a family-friendly cabin that’s spacious, comfortable, easy to use and, in the Touring edition, also fitted with a standard rear-seat entertainment center. For work, the Pilot can haul some 2.5 tons when ordered with its all-wheel-drive technology, which boasts high-tech torque management for superior performance in poor driving conditions. Bottom line: The 2017 Honda Pilot passes this Autobytel evaluation with flying colors.

Photo by Honda