The 2024 Honda Pilot has emerged as the flagship SUV from the brand, catering to families with its spacious three-row setup. This recent redesign, which took place last year, has positioned the Pilot as Honda’s largest and most powerful SUV to date. While boasting a more robust and rugged appearance, it maintains its hallmark smooth and responsive ride that’s reminiscent of driving a car. This combination of traits has solidified the Pilot’s standing as a top choice for many families.
Under the hood of the 2024 Honda Pilot resides a potent 3.5-liter V6 engine, churning out an impressive 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power output places it among the most capable SUVs in its class. Paired with a well-matched 10-speed automatic transmission, this refined V6 engine drives the front wheels efficiently. The Pilot showcases ample acceleration, even with a full load of passengers and cargo. The transmission ensures seamless gear shifts for optimal performance. Despite sporting 20-inch wheels, the Pilot maintains excellent ride comfort, striking a balance between handling and comfort.
The driving experience of the Pilot is a standout both on and off the highway. Its agile steering offers a light yet responsive feel, making it agile in urban environments and enjoyable to drive. The Pilot’s performance on long stretches of highway is equally commendable, delivering a smooth and composed journey, perfect for family road trips. The optional all-wheel-drive system, available on the TrailSport and Elite trims, enhances its capabilities and versatility, especially for those venturing off-road. Towing capacity maxes out at an impressive 5,000 pounds.
While the Pilot’s engine ranks among the largest in its class, its fuel efficiency is slightly lower compared to some competitors such as the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Nonetheless, the Pilot remains lively and responsive on the road, with swift acceleration both from a standstill and during highway passing maneuvers. The 2024 Honda Pilot lineup encompasses seven trim levels: LX, Sport, EX-L 8-Passenger, EX-L 7-Passenger, Touring, TrailSport, and Elite.
The 2024 Honda Pilot’s interior design takes a more familiar and user-friendly approach, diverging from the trend of futuristic minimalism seen in some rivals. The cabin is thoughtfully arranged, featuring an abundance of buttons and controls that allow easy access to frequently used functions. The interior is spacious and quiet, boasting 40.8 inches of legroom in the second row and 32.5 inches in the third row. While the Kia Telluride offers slightly more legroom, the Pilot’s practicality and comfort remain impressive.
One of the standout features of the Pilot is its removable second-row middle seat, found in the Touring and Elite trims. This innovative addition enhances versatility, transforming the three-seat bench into captain’s chairs to accommodate different passenger and cargo needs. Moreover, the Pilot offers convenient storage for the middle seat when not in use, contributing to its adaptability.
Cargo space in the Pilot is generous, with the ability to hold up to 22.4 cubic feet with the third-row seat in place, surpassing the Kia Telluride’s 21 cubic feet. Folding down the rear seats provides a substantial 113.7 cubic feet of cargo space, outperforming the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet. The Pilot’s spaciousness and practicality extend to real-world use, as our test-drive of the Pilot TrailSport demonstrated its capability to accommodate luggage for multiple passengers effortlessly.
The infotainment system in the 2024 Honda Pilot varies by trim level, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen for the LX and Sport models, while higher trims are equipped with a 9-inch display. Though smaller than some rivals, such as the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade with their 12-inch screens, the Pilot’s touchscreen is conveniently positioned atop the dashboard to minimize distractions. Physical buttons and knobs contribute to ease of use without diverting attention from the road. Furthermore, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are complemented by wireless options in most models, along with a wireless charging pad. The Touring and Elite trims raise the bar with a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system.
In conclusion, the 2024 Honda Pilot excels as a versatile and well-rounded family SUV. Its blend of rugged aesthetics, spacious cabin, advanced technology, and top-tier safety ratings positions it at the forefront of its segment. Following its complete redesign last year, the 2024 Pilot retains its formidable reputation without any significant changes for this model year.
