It’s Bigger, it’s Better, and it’s no longer Boxy. For some, the more rugged appearance of the previous Pilot was a nice departure from most crossover SUVs on the road today. For most, the sleeker styling of the all-new 2016 Honda Pilot is a long-awaited improvement. And the changes only start there. Almost everything else is also improved in this re-design, borrowing various enhancements from the Acura MDX that was introduced for 2014.
Starting with the inside, it’s more spacious than before and is now among the leaders in the midsize class. Honda added 3.5 inches to the new Pilot, helping to increase both legroom and cargo space in back. That’s great for carseats and kids. Thankfully, Honda didn’t change one of the best things about the Pilot: Four of the 6 rear seats have the LATCH carseat attachment system, while all six have top-tether anchors. That makes it one of the most flexible SUVs for carseats in back. Most trim levels seat eight, with only benches available in back, but the Elite trim is only available in a 7-passenger version with an aisle between two second row captain’s chairs.
Other improvements include a cabin that is much more refined and competitive than before, with softer materials all around. The access to the third row is improved, so even adults can get back there more easily than before. Cargo space behind the third row is 1.3″ longer than before, and even more spacious when you flip the stowable lid covering the deep storage area below. If you have a lot of stuff to put behind the third row, the Pilot has more room than almost any midsize competitor. You’d have to go to a minivan or huge full size SUV to do much better. And there are lots more charging outlets for all those devices, too!
Safety:
Update: The 2016 Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with the Honda Sensing Package. In addition, it earned the top “Good” rating in every individual crash test and a “Superior” front crash protection score. The NHTSA rated the 2016 Pilot “5-stars” overall, and it earned 5-stars in all individual tests except for the Frontal Barrier Crash Rating for the Female Passenger and the Rollover Rating, both of which were 4-star results. Very impressive overall.
As for features, there are a full array of airbags and standard safety features, like a multi-angle backup camera and hands-free bluetooth for taking calls on the road. Only the base LX trim lacks optional advanced safety features. On the EX and EX-L, the Honda Sensing package offers a great array of safety enhancements as an option. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking that qualifies it for the top IIHS rating, a Road Departure Mitigation system, Forward Collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control. These are standard on the Touring and Elite trims. EX, EX-L and Touring models also have the nice Honda LaneWatch system, which is like a larger passenger side rear-view mirror that appears on the center console screen making it easier to make lane changes and turns to the right. Oddly, the blind spot and cross traffic alert systems are only available on the top Elite trim.
I tested these features as much as possible within the limits of safe driving, and none were intrusive like they can be on some vehicles. All seemed to work well, though my Touring tester did not have blind spot or cross traffic alerts, a regrettable omission by Honda. Emergency Handling, braking and performance all seemed typical for the class in my subjective testing. Visibility seems better than average for the class, with large window openings, mirrors, relatively small pillars, the multi-view backup camera and LaneWatch (except for LX model).
Driving:
Despite the larger size, driving the Pilot drives about the same as before, though somewhat quicker. It’s no sports sedan, to be sure, but it handles less like a bus than some of the larger midsize SUVs I’ve tested. Power is still ample with the increased 280 HP V6 now with 5,000 lbs. towing capability. More size and power don’t translate to awful fuel economy, as you might expect. My Touring AWD trim with the 9-speed transmission and automatic stop-start idle system is rated at 19 city and 26 highway, which is very good for a vehicle this size. I rarely manage to meet EPA estimates in non-hybrid vehicles I evaluate, but I obtained over 30 miles per gallon on a 300 mile interstate trip running the A/C at ~70mph, and almost 24 mpg in my usual suburban Chicago driving circuit.
That is by far the best result I’ve had in my non-scientific testing of midsize SUVs with a conventional V6 AWD powertrain and nearly as good as the Infinity QX60 Hybrid; a little worse around town, but better on the highway. It 
was also considerably better than the 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE V6 AWD I tested, perhaps due in part to the automatic idle-stop system and 9-speed transmission on my Touring model. Only the new 7-passenger Toyota Highlander Hybrid did significantly better in my short testing. When filling up, there is also the convenience of a capless filler system (right), which seems to be making a comeback.
The softened minivan-like styling doesn’t translate to less rugged off-road capability, either. Though I didn’t have an opportunity to test it, the AWD system is enhanced as well, featuring improved traction management software and a new limited-slip differential on the rear axle. Unlike many AWD crossover vehicles that use traction control braking systems to limit wheel slip, Honda now uses a more robust electro-mechanical clutch system that allows more torque to be transferred to the rear wheel with better traction, and does it more quickly as well. Honda offers Normal, Snow, Mud and Sand modes with AWD. On the road, I found the new Pilot to be similar to the old one with reasonable noise levels and relatively comfortable suspension at low speeds and on the expressway.
The new stop-start idle system is a great fuel saver that automatically disables the engine under certain conditions when the vehicle is stopped. At first, this can cause a very slight hesitation when you are ready to go, as it takes almost a second for the engine to start again. Simply letting off the brake a second early resolves this, and you can also disable the system entirely if you find it to be a nuisance. The transmission in my tester generally was very smooth. I did note that it sometimes hesitated from a stop slightly, even with the stop-start system disabled. Also, in some instances, it seemed to prematurely downshift a gear or two while coasting, causing the transmission to slow the vehicle more quickly than I would expect. 99% of the time, it offered a very smooth transfer of power to the wheels.
My biggest complaint is the lack of ventilated leather seats in front on the EX-L and Touring trim. They get very hot and sweaty. The lack of hard buttons and knobs on the touch screen interface is a minor annoyance. The 8″ multimedia screen gets dirty very quickly, and seems to show smudges more than others I’ve used for some reason. 
I also could not readily determine how to disable frequent alert tones that were presumably area traffic warnings from the NAV system, but sounded even when I wasn’t using it. By the time I’d switch to the map view, the alert was gone. I was also not fond of the push-button 9-speed automatic transmission for the Touring and Elite trims (right), but you get used to it quickly enough. A more standard shifter is present in lower trim levels.
Seating:
The second row is standard with a three seat bench in all but the Elite trim that has two captain’s chairs instead. The 60-40 bench moves separately forward and back for legroom adjustments. A new push-button mechanism allows the seats to partially fold and move forward for easier and 3rd row access than before (EX-L and above), with a slightly lower step-in height too.
There are three LATCH seating positions in the 2nd row, with three separate pairs of lower anchors and a top tether for each seat. The 2nd row is relatively wide overall and the middle seat has reasonable dimensions to allow for 3-across seating with some flexibility. The headrests are adjustable and removable, though the center one may be too short for taller adults. The lower anchors are relatively easy to find, but the ones for center and driver side can be easily confused if you don’t pay attention to the labels (dots for middle, tags for outboard).
The outboard seats will easily accommodate most carseats with LATCH or seatbelt installations. The middle seat, while reasonably wide compared to some competitors, does have some challenges. Notably, the lower anchors for the middle crossover with the seatbelt stalk from the driver side. There is also protruding plastic hardware for the seat recline/folding mechanism. The combination of these two issues will make it a challenge to install some carseats with LATCH in the center, particularly if there is another carseat or booster rider next to it on the driver’s side seat. Some of these issues can be resolved by using the seatbelt for installation in the center. The buckle stalk for the center seatbelt is long, however, and may need to be twisted once or twice with some carseats.
For example, a rear-facing Diono Radian works very well in the center seat using the seatbelt to install, but required two twists of the buckle stalk for a secure installation. Similarly, a Graco Snugride 30 infant seat base fit well with a seatbelt installation, but the protruding recline hardware caused an unusual tilt when installing with LATCH in the middle seat. This crossover issue is not uncommon in midsize vehicles and can also make it difficult for kids in boosters to buckle themselves, especially on the driver’s side when a carseat is in the middle.
The third row is also updated. It retains one LATCH position on the passenger side and three total top tether anchors, making it among the best third row seats in that regard. The lower anchors are slightly more recessed than in the second row but not difficult to find. The passenger side seat is improved and somewhat wider than before. This resolves an issue fitting some wider carseats there, especially when using the seatbelt for installation. Fitting child restraints in either of the two outboard seating positions is generally easy.
The problem with the third row is that the middle seat seems a bit narrower than before, and the anchors for the seatbelt are extremely narrow as well. Combined with slightly protruding recline hardware, this makes it difficult to fit anyone there comfortably for a long trip, with the possible exception of a thin pre-teen or a child in a narrow backless booster. Three across carseats will be nearly impossible. It will also be very difficult to fit some carseats in the middle or to fit a passenger between two carseats, even relatively narrow models like a Clek Oobr booster and Diono Radian (below, left). Having two older kids along with one narrow carseat or booster in the third row is certainly possible, though (below, right).
Third row seat cushion height is still low, meaning no thigh support for taller kids or adults. My son is 10 years old, weighs 80 pounds and is 4’9″ tall. He fits fine in various vehicle lap/shoulder seatbelts without a booster, but in the third row of the Pilot, a Graco Affix booster provided much better lap belt fit (below, left). He was also more comfortable than without a booster (below, center), due to the low seat cushions that kept his knees well above the seat. Even the large Britax Frontier 90 CT fits well in the wider passenger side seat of the third row and he is right at the limit of the harness system (below, right).
Families with lots of devices will be happy to find up to five USB jacks in Touring and Elite trims, four of which offer increased charging capability and two are easy to access for the second row. EX and EX-L trim models get only the three USB jacks up front. EX trim models and above get three 12V charging outlets in addition. Models with an entertainment system also get one 120V AC outlet for the second row. That’s great on the high-end trims and good on EX/EX-L, but the lack of USB charging outlets for 2nd and 3rd rows in LX, EX and EX-L trims seems to be already obsolete for a brand new family vehicle.
Cargo:
There is no lack for storage in the new Pilot. All rows fold nearly flat in full or in sections, offering a great deal of flexibility. The space behind the third row is rivaled only by the Chevrolet Traverse (and siblings) in this category, while the deep storage under that space is nearly as generous as the Ford Flex. Door and console storage is also excellent, as are the additional side storage compartments in back.
Carseat Gallery:
Clek Oobr, Graco Snugride 30 Classic Connect and Britax Boulevard CT (left) fit three-across in the 2nd row. Using LATCH for the booster leaves little room even for a child’s hands to buckle themselves in a driver’s side booster, though. The Diono Radian works very well in the center, leaving a bit more room for buckling in a Graco Affix backless booster (below, center). The Graco 4Ever and Maxi-Cosi Rodifix install easily with LATCH in the outboard seats (below, right).
Top 10 Likes:
- Honda Sensing advanced safety features available on EX/EX-L trim ($1000 option)
- Bluetooth hands-free and backup camera standard on all trims
- 4 LATCH, 6 total top-tether anchors, 3-across carseats possible in 2nd row
- EX Trim 2WD w/Honda Sensing gets 19/27MPG at $33,430 MSRP
- Good 3rd row legroom and cargo space behind 3rd row
- Easier access to third row on either side than previous Pilot
- 3rd row passenger side seat wider than before
- Better than average visibility for its class
- EX and EX-L trim gets three USB charging ports and three 12V outlets. (Touring/Elite get 5 USB, three 12V and one 120V AC)
- Improved cabin is quieter, handling is acceptable for its size.
Top 10 Dislikes:
- No crash test results available yet (Honda expects IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 5-star overall NHTSA ratings)
- Blind Spot/Cross Traffic system only on Elite trim
- 3rd row middle seat is very limited
- 2nd row middle seat is reasonably wide, but has some crossover issues with driver side seat
- No ventilated leather seat option on Touring or EX-L trims
- Transmission can hesitate from a stop sometimes
- No USB ports for third row
- Sleeker minivan-like styling may not appeal to everyone
- 3rd row legroom improved, but still has seats low to the floor; best suited for kids in boosters and pre-teens
- Quirks: Nav system often rotates and chimes randomly while driving, push button shifter feels odd on 9-speed automatic in Touring/Elite trim, smudgy screen with no hard buttons.
Conclusion:
The 2016 Honda Pilot is improved in almost every way. If you’re looking for a 3-row SUV that is very flexible for seating kids and carseats, the new Pilot is among the top contenders. Like the previous Pilot, it has 4 LATCH positions and 6 total top tethers, something few competitors match even in the largest SUVs. Improved passenger space and fuel economy make it even better than before for those long family vacations and for hauling up to 7 kids around town. There are a lot of competitive midsize SUVs on the market today, and the new Honda Pilot should be among the top choices for any family with young children.
Though likely not the top selling model, I find the EX trim level to a great choice for both safety and value when equipped with the Honda Sensing package. With the 2WD model, you get impressive fuel economy and it starts well under $34,000 with advanced safety features not found in most midsize SUVs at this price point. One omission is the one-touch second row seat folding feature found only in EX-L and higher trims. That said, the Touring AWD model I tested has a lot to offer as well and at just under $43,000, it has almost everything you’d want as a standard feature. Though the new Pilot is still no substitute for the family hauling capability of the Honda Odyssey minivan, it’s getting close!
Thank you to Honda USA for providing the 2016 Honda Pilot Touring AWD used for this review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was provided.
I see you have a Diono in the third row. I can not install our Diono in the third row so that the back of the car seat is flush with the Pilot’s seat. The fixed headrest is in the way on the 2016. How did you get your Diono installed properly in the third row with that fixed headrest? I can fit my whole hand between the back of the Diono and the Pilot’s seat when I try to install it. Any advice?!?! Baby number three is due very soon, so I’d love to send the 5-year-old to the back and just have two seats in the second row. Thanks!!
Nora, Diono allows a gap behind their convertible carseats as long as there’s contact at the bottom and the top.
I found this information to be very helpful! We are in the market for an SUV that would fit three car seats comfortably- an infant seat, a forward facing car seat and a booster with a five point harness. I’ve heard great things about the Pilot. I was just at the dealership and saw the elite and touring models. I have heard great things about the captain seats in the elite, but the low console in between them prevents my oldest (and me for buckling purposes) from easily getting to the third row. Any thoughts on captain seats v. Regular bench seats and what is easiest/most convenient for loading and unloading? I’ve also heard the captain seats are a waste of space. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
So looks like Honda (and their peers) *stil* haven’t found a way to allow two child seats on the middle bench whilst not hijacking 3rd row access. Really, this is getting ridiculous, especially seeing as captan’s chairs aren’t even an option below the Elite trim. Really makes an otherwise nice SUV a non-starter for people with more than one young child (if they actually want to use that 3rd row without requiring gymnastics).
A very narrow seat in the third row like the Radian shown will do it, but there is still some friction to fold down the passenger side 2nd row seat. This is pretty typical of all midsize SUVs. People with older kids sometimes have the oldest child climb through the rear hatch with one half of the third row folded for access to the other. For more significantly more room in the second row for 3-across, you really have to go with an Odyssey or a full size SUV.
Would the Nissan Pathfinder not be an option with the sliding 2nd row seat that gives easy access to the 3rd row even with a car seat installed (obviously not when the baby is in the car-seat already)?
We actually own an Oddyssey but are looking at trading it in for a Pilot or other crossover or perhaps even an old Sequoia or Yukon…I LOVED test driving the pilot…however, as with a few other readers, car seats remain our problem. I have 3 kiddos, one in a Britax frontier (he’s 4), a two year old in a Britax convertible (still rear facing which I know I could technically turn forward facing) and an 8 month old in Britax convertible…I just can’t come up with a way to install the 3 car seats while still having easy access to the 3rd row without a car seat being in the way. Any thoughts?? And we’re hoping to adopt a 4th baby…at that point with4 car seats we’d probably be too big for a pilot?? Any input? We love the functionality and drive of the SUVs–that’s why we’re looking!
I’m having a real bear of a time deciding between the 2016 Pilot and the 2016 Kia Sorento. We have one child (not planning any others) and really just want to be able to put the car seat in the center of the 2nd row. Lot of folks are telling me to go with the Honda over the Kia, but other than a lot more cargo space, I’m not seeing the benefit. I can get a Kia for about 7-8K less with 0% financing (vs 3-4% for the Honda). Plus it really looks like I’d have more luck with the 2nd row center child seat in the Kia as opposed to the Pilot (even with the lower LATCH in the Pilot there’s that plastic seat recline/folding mechanism to contend with).
Any thoughts from anyone?
Hi Chris, it is a tough call. The Kia is a little smaller, perhaps slightly easier to maneuver and, for one or even two kids (for when they bring a friend), plenty of room overall.
Personally, I love that you can get a lower trim Pilot with Honda Sensing for much less than a Sorento that is similarly equipped with advanced safety features. For example, a 2016 Pilot EX with Honda Sensing has an MSRP around $34,500 that has just about all the advanced safety features including a top-rated autobrake system to qualify for an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. With the Sorento, you have to get the Limited trim and add the Technology Package to have similar safety features and even then there’s no autobrake system. That’s over $10K more without the V6! I would buy the Pilot for that reason alone if I was in the market for a family SUV.
While there may be some incompatibilities with the Pilot 2nd row center seat, I suspect many carseats will install there just fine, though some may require seatbelt instead of LATCH to install, or vice versa. Pilot has such good side impact ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, I would not hesitate to have my own children in an outboard seat, assuming they were properly restrained of course.
Outside the safety features, I might lean slightly toward the Sorento with just 1 or 2 kids, especially if it was less expensive with the equipment I wanted. But that’s just personal preference. I can’t really point to anything concrete that I loved about one much more than the other.
For one child, have you considered a Subaru Outback? The 2.5i Premium trim with EyeSight is just under 30K MSRP, is relatively carseat friendly and really is a great choice for smaller families. http://safedad.com/safest-vehicles/
We are expecting our first child and want a mid-size SUV that will last many years. I test drove both the 2016 Honda Pilot and 2016 Toyota Highlander, but couldn’t notice too much of a difference between these two. Is there a recommendation for one vs. the other?
Hi Danielle,
Both are very safe vehicles and great choices for a midsize SUV. The Highlander has a couple more restrictions with seatbelt use in the second row as outlined in my review, but for many families, they will not be a major concern. The Pilot has a definite advantage in that it can be equipped with advanced safety features for a much lower cost than the Highlander thanks to the availability of Honda Sensing package on lower trim levels.
Has anyone happened to try a clek fllo in the center of the middle row? I’m trying to find a seat to fit in the center and still have the 40% side of the bench fold. I read above that the radian fits so I’m assuming the fllo will as well?
I have two young children (15 mths, 5 weeks) and a teenager and we are looking to replace our Q5 with a SUV that has a third row seating for the older son and friends and will allow access to the seating area with out removing a car seat.
How is the access to the third row with a seat installed in each side in the second row? Also I have been looking at the pathfinder/QX60 cause this appears to be an option on these models.
Do you have any recommendations on which vehicles can be added to our search list?
Hi Chris Powell,
I am in exactly the same boat as you were. What did you end up doing?
I bought the honda pilot thinking my two kids would fit with their Britax car seats in the second row and you would be able to easily access the third row. Not so. I was very upset about this…I don’t think honda did their correct homework on this. I’m sure small car seats would work, but not any Britax. I actually bought my car back after a few hours and was able to give it back based on this factor. I’m still upset, because for once, I love the redesign. I’m looking for an SUV with decent passenger room that can accommodate 2 seats in the second row and still be able to access the third row without climbing over seats. Any suggestions? I’m not looking to upgrade to the elite and spend $50,000. Thanks
This is an issue in almost every midsize SUV. The middle seats are relatively narrow, and often partially overlap with the outboard seat. That can make it difficult to use the outboard seat folding mechanism for third row access. To get around this issue, you really must go to a wider, full size SUV or minivan. The Chevrolet Traverse may have a hair more width in the optional 2nd row bench seat, but I expect it is not enough to make any difference for a wider carseat in the middle. I don’t know of any other midsize model that would be significantly wider than the Pilot inside the second row.
One possible solution is to use a very narrow seat in the middle, such as a Clek Fllo, Diono Radian or Bubblebum Booster. If they fit, they will sometimes allow you to move/fold the remaining outside seat just enough to allow kids to squeeze in back. This is what I observed in the 2016 Pilot using a rear-facing Diono Radian in the center. There is a small photo in the review showing how it leaves just enough room. As I recall, there was still some friction, but you could still move/fold the seat to allow third row access. Larger carseats in the center would not allow this. In various other midsize SUVs, the situation is even worse. The Honda Odyssey remains our top recommendation for being 2nd AND 3rd row carseat friendly.
Another solution is to allow them to climb in back through the tailgate, with part of the third row seat folded. Of course, that doesn’t help if you need to get back there to buckle them, so really only for older kids in boosters or pre-teens perhaps.
I have personally tested a Britax Boulevard convertible car seat (used for my 2.5 yr old currently) in the 2nd row of both the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder and 2017 Infiniti QX60. Both of those cars allow enough access to the 3rd row without needing to remove the car seat. The feature works best when accessing the 3rd row from the passenger side with the car seat still in place on the passenger side. Although I didn’t test it, if you have a car seat behind the driver’s seat, supposedly you can’t slide the 2nd row forward to access the 3rd row. The feature works best on the passenger side. I haven’t personally tested access to the 3rd row on the Honda Pilot with a car seat in place but from reading comments here, it doesn’t seem to be possible. That’s very unfortunate.
Thank you so much for such a detailed review! We have driven a Honda Pilot since 2004 and love our car. The only issue came when we had our third child and the older two were ready to move to boosters. It was impossible for us to find a good fit with a convertible and two boosters in the second row. Of course, they fit, but my big kids had way too much trouble buckling in, even with the narrowest boosters on the market. Having one kid in the third row has not been ideal for school drop offs and pick ups as it just isn’t super easy to get in and out since she’s very tall for her age and having kids climbing over seats regularly is not my favorite and makes for dirty seats and a lot more wear on them overall. It seems like the new Pilot solves a lot of these issues for us and I would love to get a new one! We ended up going to look at the new one in person and I fell in love! We also looked at the Odysseys while we were there and after comparing the new Pilot to the Odyssey, I think the a Odyssey just makes so much more sense to have for a family with 3+ kids in boosters and car seats on a regular basis. Thanks again for the review and for showing some different car seats that would work- that was so helpful!
Thank you Karen! The new Pilot is just a little easier to get to the third row in the higher trims, not only the mechanism, but the opening is a little wider and lower, too. The Odyssey definitely makes a lot of sense for its passenger and cargo flexibility, though, and the third row is far better for passengers of all ages. That said, we’ve made do with a smaller Highlander (previous version) and 3 kids for 4.5 years now. It’s not as nice as our Odyssey in terms of space, but I like it a lot more overall:-)
Just FYI!!! The safety ratings for the Honda Pilot 2016 came out on the IIHS came out! Not yet on NHTSA.
Hi Maria- thanks for the update! As expected, the Pilot did as well as the Acura MDX, on which it is based. I hope it does as well on the NHTSA ratings also!
Enjoyed the review. Were you able to gain access to the 3rd row with 2 car seats on the 60% side in the second row at all?
Hi Chris, with the Diono Radian rear-facing the middle of the second row, the 40% passenger side seat could move with some help. There was some friction but not enough to restrict the seat from moving. A wider carseat may be a conflict, though. This photo shows It also shows how the buckle stalk had to be twisted a couple times to get an acceptable installation of this carseat.
Great review, I’ll be sure to share it. My neighbor just got one yesterday, and it took me three drive-bys to figure out what it was, just trying to look at the tailgate. Very sleek!
I’ve been waiting for this review! I so wish my MDX had the cubbies in the cargo area like this new Pilot does. My milk and other small containers constantly go flying as I go around corners, despite my elaborate configuration of bungees drawn across the back. I also like the styling a lot better this go-around. I haven’t been a fan of Honda styling for the past several model designs for any of their vehicles, so it’s nice to see a change.
Hi Ashley, I wish I could defend the third row center seat, but there’s not a lot of good things to say about it. If you cram a 4-6 year old into a narrow backless booster, you have to deal with that shoulder belt:-( It wasn’t as bad on my 10-year old, but still not ideal. I wish I could find my Safety 1st Incognito, as I think it would work nicely in the third row for older kids. The second row center issue was mainly with LATCH and we were able to install various seats there with the seatbelt. Still these seem like design issues that could have been given some attention!
Subaru is to be commended for its bargain pricing of just about every advanced safety feature even on mid range trim levels. That’s one reason why the new Legacy and Outback were among CarseatBlog’s “Safest” 2015 vehicles. Still, that Honda includes many of them as a $1000 package on the EX model is pretty progressive compared to most of its midsize 3-row SUV competitors.
Sorry, D, no Cool Box at this time. Maybe that will come later? I also preferred the boxy styling, but I realize I am probably in the minority, too. I think the Dodge Durango is probably the most rugged looking 3-row crossover on the market right now. There’s also the Toyota 4Runner, but it’s still truck-based and not a crossover.
I really like this pilot. my concern is that my TWO britax Advocates won’t fit next to each other. One is the clicktight in which my 3.5 toddler is forward facing and then My 1 yr old is rear facing in the regular britax advocate. Am I able to have the clicktight in the middle seat and the rear facing advocate on ththe passenger side? Would they be too bulky to be next to each other? If it were to work how much room is left on the driver seat for the passenger to sit THANKS!
Did you ever sort out your seating? I’m facing this same dilemma—two Advocate seats and a pilot. If you have any insight, would you please share? Thank you!
Nothing to do with car seats, but is the Cool Box offered on this like it is in the Odyssey?
I really want to like this car, but I think I’m one of the minority who liked boxy! It appears all our seats would work, though.
The shoulder belt fit of the 3rd row center seat with the girl in the Bibblebum looks terrible and much like the 3rd row outboard Grand Caravan/Town & Country/Routan. The belt is hovering several inches out from her body.
It is also disappointing to see the diminished lap belt fit for the 3rd row passenger side seat. In the 2nd generation (2009-2015) Pilots, the 3rd row passenger lap belt fit is excellent and often results in early 5-stepping with the slightly forward of the bight and low recessed buckle. The longer buckle stalk in the 2016 really diminishes the lap fit for non-boostered kids.
I’m also bummed about the 2nd row lower anchor/seat belt overlap set up and the lack of blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert on all but the top trim level. Our $25K 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited has those even without the additional Eyesight package.
OK, so which is better for kids, this or the Odyssey? They both seat 8. Flip a coin? Help!
Let’s say you need to fill every single seat (except front passenger) with a carseat. Any carseat that will fit. Lots of booster riders and one child who is the same height/weight as the boy in the photos, so probably he won’t be using a booster for long or at all anyway, by the time we buy the vehicle.
Note the ONE thing about the Odyssey is the 3rd row is crazy narrow, but according to this review, so is the Pilot, right? How do the widths compare?
Honda Odyssey 2011 and newer basically best this ever for car seats and 6 kids as passengers. In 2011 they made the odyssey 2.5 inches wider allowing three full size car seats in the second row which is why I purchased it. I am a safety freak and with a 9.5 year old , 7.5 year old and 3.5 year old I have three car seats or boosters ( brutal frontier 90 with click tight ) permanently attached in the second row ( which is the safer row as most crash tears are not accounting for third row passengers ) . In addition the odyssey allows you to completely tilt the whole 40 split seat forward with car seat installed if you needs to get three adults in the back while car seats installed. ( kids generally just crawl over from the trunk). Three adults do actually fit in the back so it has got to be wider than the pilot.
The one and only problem with the odyssey in my book from a family hauling perspective is no AWD option hence my consideration of the pilot for a second vehicle. If AWD is not a necessity and you routinely carry 5 or more kids just get the Odyssey you won’t regret it.
There is no doubt the Odyssey is more capable of seating 8 passengers than the Pilot, and do it more comfortably with more cargo space. The only thing it lacks is an automatic braking system for front crash prevention, and AWD of course, if snow tires are not sufficient in your area. For a safe AWD family hauler, the 7-passenger Toyota Sienna is a good option, too.
I own a 2012 odyssey (2015 is exactly the same). I also just got a 2016 pilot. I have 3 kids and had them all in car seats at one point while owning the van. I love my new pilot. That said, the odyssey is superior for moving people and any type of gear or luggage. Do yourself a favor and get the odyssey. When your kids get bigger u can consider a pilot. Do u really want your little ones opening those big pilot doors? Wouldn’t u prefer to hit the sliding door button from the drivers seat of your odyssey?