2024 Honda Pilot: Full Review of Features, Safety & Cargo Space

The 2024 Honda Pilot is a family SUV that seats eight people. It has three rows of seats and a strong engine. Many families pick this vehicle because it works well for their needs. The price starts around $41,050 and goes up to $55,000. Honda made this SUV bigger and tougher than before. The design looks more like a truck now. Parents like it because kids fit well in all three rows. The cargo space holds groceries, sports gear, and vacation bags. This SUV goes up against Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-90.

Engine Power and Performance

Every 2024 Honda Pilot uses the same engine. Honda put a V6 engine in all models. This engine makes 285 horsepower. That’s enough power to merge onto highways without stress. The engine size is 3.5 liters. It connects to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Engine Details:

• Type: V6 engine
• Power: 285 horses
• Torque: 262 pound-feet
• Transmission: 10 speeds
• Gas type: Regular unleaded
• Speed: 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds

Fuel Numbers:

• City driving: 19 miles per gallon
• Highway driving: 25 miles per gallon
• Combined: 21 miles per gallon
• Tank size: 18.5 gallons
• Range: About 500 miles per tank

The transmission shifts without jerking. Honda added paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. These let you change gears yourself. Most drivers leave it in automatic mode. The engine runs on regular gas. You don’t need premium fuel. This saves money over time.

Towing and Hauling

The 2024 Honda Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That’s good for a small boat or camper. You need the all-wheel drive version for maximum towing. The two-wheel drive model tows less weight. Honda puts a tow hitch on some models. You might buy it separately on base trims.

What You Can Tow:

• Small camping trailer
• Boat with trailer
• Jet skis
• Utility trailer
• Small horse trailer

The SUV stays stable while towing. The transmission doesn’t work hard on hills. Honda added a tow mode button. This changes how the transmission shifts. It holds lower gears longer on steep grades.

Trim Levels and Packages

Honda makes six different versions of the 2024 Pilot. Each version adds more stuff. The base model still comes with good equipment. You don’t need the top model to get what matters.

Sport (Base Model):

• Price starts around $41,050.
• Cloth seats.
• 18-inch wheels.
• 8-inch screen.
• Three-zone climate control.
• LED lights.

EX-L:

• Leather seats.
• Heated front seats.
• Power tailgate.
• Better speakers.
• Sunroof.

TrailSport:

• Built for off-road.
• Higher ground clearance.
• All-terrain tires.
• Orange accents.
• Skid plates.
• All-wheel drive included.

Touring:

• Cooled front seats.
• Navigation system.
• Wireless charging.
• Hands-free tailgate.
• 9-inch screen.

Elite (Top Model):

• Panoramic roof.
• Rear entertainment screens.
• 12 speakers.
• Digital gauges.
• Heated second-row seats.

Black Edition:

• Black exterior trim.
• Dark wheels.
• Special interior.
• TrailSport features included.

Most buyers pick the EX-L or Touring models. These give good bang for your buck. The base Sport model works fine for budget shoppers. The Elite costs too much for most families.

Size and Measurements

The 2024 Honda Pilot measures 199.9 inches long. That’s over 16 feet. The width is 78.5 inches without mirrors. Height reaches 71 inches on most models. The TrailSport sits higher at 71.5 inches.

Outside Numbers:

Dimension	Measurement
Length	199.9 inches
Width	78.5 inches
Height	70.9 inches
Wheelbase	113.8 inches
Ground Clearance	7.3 to 8.8 inches
Weight	4,251 to 4,497 pounds

Inside Space:

Row	Headroom	Legroom
First Row	40.5 inches	41 inches
Second Row	40.2 inches	40.8 inches
Third Row	39.3 inches	32.5 inches

The second row slides forward and back. This gives you options. Slide it back for passenger comfort. Move it forward to reach the third row easier. The third row actually fits adults. Many SUVs have tiny third rows. The Pilot’s third row has real space.

Cargo Room

Storage space matters in family vehicles. The 2024 Honda Pilot has three cargo setups. With all seats up, you get 18.6 cubic feet. That’s good for grocery bags and backpacks.

Storage Capacity:

• All seats up: 18.6 cubic feet
• Third row folded: 48.5 cubic feet
• All seats folded: 87.0 cubic feet

Fold the third row down for weekend trips. This makes 48.5 cubic feet of space. You can fit strollers, coolers, and suitcases. The second row also folds flat. This opens up 87.0 cubic feet. That’s good for furniture from the store. Moving boxes fit without problems. The floor becomes flat when seats fold. This makes loading easier.

Honda added underfloor storage bins. These hide small items. The bins keep valuables out of sight. There are cup holders everywhere. The center console is huge. It holds a laptop or purse.

Interior Quality

The cabin feels solid. Honda used soft materials on the dashboard. The doors have padded armrests. Everything you touch feels right. The base model has cloth seats. They’re tough and easy to clean.

Standard Features:

• 8-inch touchscreen.
• Apple CarPlay.
• Android Auto.
• Bluetooth connection.
• USB ports in all rows.
• Push button start.
• Keyless entry.
• Automatic climate control.

Higher trims add leather seats. The leather feels real. Honda didn’t use cheap fake leather. The steering wheel has a nice grip. The buttons are easy to find while driving. The air vents point where you want them.

The second row is comfortable. Adults can sit back there on long trips. The seats recline a bit. There are air vents for back passengers. USB ports let everyone charge phones. The third row works for kids and teens. Short adults can sit back there too.

Technology and Screens

The 2024 Honda Pilot has a simple screen. The base model gets an 8-inch display. Upper trims have a 9-inch screen. Both systems work the same way. Honda brought back physical knobs. You can turn a knob for volume. This beats touching a screen while driving.

Tech Features:

• Wireless phone connection (Touring and Elite).
• Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
• Voice commands.
• Navigation system (Touring and Elite).
• Digital driver display (Touring and Elite).
• Wireless charging pad (Touring and Elite).

The screen responds fast to touches. There’s no waiting. The graphics look clear and modern. Apple CarPlay works wirelessly on upper trims. Android Auto also connects without cables. This keeps the cabin neat.

The Elite trim adds rear entertainment. Kids can watch movies on 10.2-inch screens. These fold down from the ceiling. Wireless headphones come with it. Parents control what plays from the front. The system connects to streaming apps.

Safety Equipment

Every 2024 Honda Pilot comes with safety gear. Honda doesn’t make you pay extra for basic protection. The Honda Sensing suite is standard. This has several driver aids.

Standard Safety Features:

• Automatic emergency braking.
• Lane keeping assistance.
• Adaptive cruise control.
• Lane departure warning.
• Road departure prevention.
• Traffic sign recognition.
• Automatic high beams.
• Blind spot monitoring.
• Rear cross traffic alert.

The automatic braking can stop crashes. It watches for cars and pedestrians. If you don’t brake in time, the system does. The lane keeping system moves you back into your lane. It’s not too pushy. You can still change lanes normally.

Adaptive cruise control keeps distance from the car ahead. It slows down and speeds up by itself. This helps on long trips. The system works in stop-and-go traffic. It can bring the Pilot to a complete stop.

All-Wheel Drive System

You can pick front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive costs less and gets better gas mileage. All-wheel drive helps in snow and rain. It also works better for towing.

AWD Features:

• Sends power to all four wheels.
• Works by itself.
• Can shift power side to side.
• Multiple terrain modes.
• Better grip on slippery roads.

The TrailSport model comes with special AWD tuning. It has more ground clearance than other models. The suspension is tougher. All-terrain tires grip loose surfaces better. Skid plates protect the underside on trails.

Driving Modes:

• Normal for everyday use.
• Snow for winter weather.
• Tow for pulling trailers.
• Sand for beach driving (TrailSport).
• Trail for dirt roads (TrailSport).

Most families do fine with front-wheel drive. Pick AWD if you live where it snows. The system adds about $2,000 to the price. It also drops fuel economy by 1 mpg. The weight goes up by about 150 pounds.

How It Compares to Rivals

The three-row SUV market has many picks. Each competitor has good and bad points. The 2024 Honda Pilot stands out in several ways.

Toyota Highlander:

• Pilot has more third-row legroom.
• Pilot has more cargo space.
• Highlander has better resale value.
• Highlander hybrid gets better fuel economy.
• Pilot feels sportier to drive.

Versus Mazda CX-90:

• Pilot costs less money.
• Pilot has proven track record.
• CX-90 feels fancier inside.
• CX-90 has newer tech.
• Pilot has bigger cargo area.

Hyundai Palisade:

• Palisade has longer warranty.
• Palisade looks more stylish.
• Pilot drives better.
• Pilot holds value better.
• Similar interior space.

Versus Kia Telluride:

• Telluride wins on looks.
• Similar abilities overall.
• Pilot has better track record.
• Telluride harder to find at dealers.
• Close race in most areas.

The Pilot does well by being balanced. It doesn’t win in any single area. But it ranks high in all key areas. The mix of space, features, and track record works for families.

Reliability and Maintenance

Honda builds vehicles that last. The Pilot has a history of being tough. This generation uses proven parts. The V6 engine has powered Hondas for years. The transmission comes from other solid Honda models.

Warranty Coverage:

• Basic: 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain: 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Rust: 5 years unlimited miles
• Roadside help: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Regular maintenance keeps the Pilot running well. Oil changes happen every 7,500 miles. The system watches oil life. It tells you when service is due. Tire rotations should happen every 7,500 miles too.

Conclusion

The 2024 Honda Pilot gives great family transportation. It has three roomy rows, strong V6 power, and full safety features. Honda’s track record makes it worry-free. Prices stay fair while giving real worth. The mix of space, ability, and toughness makes it a top pick for families. Most competitors can’t match its balanced package at this price point.