r/hondapilot

I need a cheap reliable “beater” SUV that will be used maybe 1-5 times a month. I’ve been looking at CRVs and HRVs but noticed that Pilots are noticeably cheaper with less miles. I am assuming this is because they are harder to maintain due to a rubber timing belt? Considering if buying an older (2nd gen or maybe early 3rd gen) with 100k-150k miles is a good idea over a CRV.

Need advice and experience related feedback regarding 2025 Honda Pilot Elite. I am buying a preowned car with 40k miles, perfect condition and clean Carfax report.

1. Do you think I should buy it for $42k before taxes and fees or Go for 2026 model?
2. Power train warranty is still remaining and valid for 5/60k mile. Should I buy extended warranty now and which online dealer would you recommend for CA since we can’t buy out of state as per CA regulations (please correct me if I am mistaken here)
3. How’s Honda Pilot elite for comfort and as commuter car (30miles daily)? Looking forward to your advice to keep this car well maintained and anything I should be aware of.

So for reference i just moved and i need to get new tags and i want something cleaver for my plate. Ive thought of a few but something seems good enough. I need some ideas. Needs to be 7 long thanks

I just put a deposit down on a 2026 Pilot Trailsport. Anyone have a reason not to go through with it? Doesn’t arrive for about 3 weeks. I haven’t even touched one in the wild yet, dealerships in Vegas don’t even have a Trailsport for me to test drive, hence the deposit.

That is, can it be modified to blow more air and/or colder air? Idk how you’d accomplish this other than swapping stock compressor, condenser and evaporator with bigger components. Does Honda make a better system for hot climates? Are there aftermarket kits for this kinda thing? Is there a system from a larger vehicle that can be made to fit?

I’ve got a 2016 and the stock AC works OK but just OK. It blows cold from the get go but takes forever to cool the car down so during short to medium trips I’m usually sweating the whole time regardless of how hard the AC is working.

TIA for your help!

Long story short, wife brought her 2020 EXL in for a complimentary oil change. A week goes by and I realize the wet spots in the driveway aren't evaporating. I look under the car and its soaked in oil. The dealership instructs me to drive it in. No way! I check the filter and its about 3.5 turns from snug. They send a flatbed, tow it and drop it back off in 3 hours. No apologies, no nothing, just re-changed the oil and said there is no damage. What did I just experience?!

Current owners or enthusiasts:
Is the Touring worth the extra money over the Sport? Or even the LEX

I’m a mom of 2 and may be having a 3rd child in the next couple of years and I’ve been looking into buying a the Pilot. My current car is a 2010 RAV4 that just hit 200k miles so I’m ready for something newer and bigger! I’ve looked at the MDX, Grand Highlander, TX, and Pilot and I just completely fell in love with the Pilot specifically the interior, size, practicality etc. I wanted to really like the grand Highlander Hybrid for the fuel economy and Toyota reliability but the Pilot’s interior won me over. I still have to test drive the Pilot but I’m thinking I won’t have any concerns once I do, although it will be the biggest SUV I’ve ever driven (I’m hoping I’ll get used to it quickly).

I’ve never bought a new car before so I’ve been researching the Pilot quite a bit to make sure it’s the right choice. I bought my RAV4 used about 10 years ago so I would like to have a reliable car I can drive for 10 years or so without major headaches. I’ve never had a Honda but it seems they’re just as reliable as Toyota. I’m thinking of going with the 2026 Touring trim since it has everything I need. I wanted to ask a few things to get some opinions and to help me fully commit to this decision:

- do any parents that drive this car have 3 kids (so family of 5) specifically a baby in a rear facing car seat, and two boosters, and how does that seating arrangement work for you? Do you feel like it’s big enough for your family?

- I drive quite a bit maybe 20k miles a year so I’m a little worried about fuel economy, which is why I was hoping I would like the GHH. For people that are driving that much (majority highway miles) how has the fuel economy been for you? Has it been a reason to switch to something more fuel efficient?

Thanks so much in advance!

I've been happy with my '25 Pilot, so much so that my parents are wanting to get a Pilot for themselves. But I've been surprised to find very few data points on what people are paying; Piloteers has no posts about 2026 purchase prices!

I'm specifically looking for prices on the Elite trim, but I'd appreciate that along with other data points, as well, if you're willing to share. TIA!

Changed out the transmission fluid in my 2021 Pilot AWD. Also did the transfer case and rear differential at the same time. The car has 160K and was last "changed" by the car dealer at 80K. I put that in quotes, because my dealer's service department is horrific, and I bet they just did the "drain and replace" once if that. The fluid that I drained out was almost jet black! No wonder it was shifting so poorly.

I used a scan tool to do the full fluid temp check and level check as stated in the manual. I did the whole drain and fill procedure twice, after the second change, the fluid coming out of the side level check hole was red instead of brown.

Yes I said red. I used the new Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF instead of the insanely expensive clear stuff you are supposed to put in these. Valvoline says it can be used in place of the Honda DW-1 or Pentosin ATF9, and others say they have had no issues doing this.

Results... it's like a brand new Pilot. That burnt up ATF was making that poor transmission suffer. The shifts are almost imperceptible now. It's so smooth. There was a good amount of hesitation before, especially with a load, or going up a hill.

Now that I know I've got the right amount in, I'll be doing a simple drain and fill every 30K (when the car has cooled down overnight, as the fluid changes volume a lot with temperature)

Between this, the S-VCM and Idlestopper, it feels like a new Pilot. Hoping I can make it to 300K÷!!