2022 Honda Pilot Highlights

The 2022 Honda Pilot is a popular midsize SUV that has received exciting updates. This model year introduces new trims, Sport and TrailSport, making the Pilot more accessible and versatile.

Key Details

• Midsize crossover SUV body style
• Three-row seating for up to eight passengers
• 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims
• Standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD) (standard on TrailSport)
• Standard suite of advanced safety technologies

Benefits

• New entry-level Sport trim offers excellent value with comprehensive features
• TrailSport trim caters to off-road enthusiasts with improved capabilities
• Spacious and versatile interior with ample cargo space
• Strong V6 engine provides confident performance
• User-friendly technology and infotainment systems
• Comfortable ride quality

Related: 2022 Honda Pilot Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

2022 Honda Pilot Overview

Performance

A single-engine across all trim levels powers the 2022 Honda Pilot:

• 3.5-liter V6 engine:
• 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm
• 262 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm
• Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission
• Available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD)

This V6 engine provides ample power for daily driving, highway merging, and light towing duties. The nine-speed automatic transmission offers smooth shifts and contributes to the Pilot's balanced performance and fuel efficiency.

The Pilot's available all-wheel drive system enhances traction in various driving conditions. It features Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) system, which can distribute torque between the front and rear axles and between the left and right rear wheels for improved handling and stability.

Towing capacity for the 2022 Pilot is in the upper range for its class:

• FWD models: up to 3,500 pounds
• AWD models: up to 5,000 pounds

The new TrailSport trim introduces enhanced off-road capabilities, including:

• 0.6-inch suspension lift for improved ground clearance
• More aggressive all-terrain tires with stronger sidewalls
• Unique tuning for the all-wheel drive system

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Pilot a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features across all 2022 Pilot trims include the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Road departure mitigation system
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keeping assist system (LKAS)
• Adaptive cruise control

Additional available technology features include:

• Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers (Elite and Black Edition)

Driving

The 2022 Honda Pilot offers a driving experience that balances comfort, capability, and ease of use. Its size and design provide excellent visibility, but maneuvering in tighter spaces requires skill and patience. Ride quality is a strong point for the Pilot. Its suspension is tuned to absorb most road imperfections, resulting in a road-trip-friendly experience. This comfort-oriented suspension doesn't come at the expense of handling, as the Pilot maintains reasonable body control in corners and feels stable at highway speeds.

Interior

The 2022 Honda Pilot interior impresses with its spaciousness, versatility, and family-friendly features. As Honda's largest SUV offering, the Pilot provides a comfortable and practical cabin.

The Pilot's front seats are accommodating, while the second row is equally impressive with generous legroom and the ability to slide and recline for added comfort. The second-row middle seat can be removed in eight-passenger configurations, creating a pass-through to the third row. Although not as spacious as the first two, the third row is more accommodating than many competitors in the segment. It's suitable for adults on shorter trips and ideal for children.

Cargo space is generous with the Pilot:

• 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row
• 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded
• 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows folded

Key interior features include:

• Available leather-trimmed seating (standard on EX-L and above)
• Heated front seats (standard on all trims)
• Available heated second-row seats (Touring and above)
• Available ventilated front seats (Elite and Black Edition)
• One-touch folding second-row seats
• Available panoramic roof (Elite and Black Edition)

Technology

The 2022 Honda Pilot comes equipped with a range of technology features that vary by trim:

• Standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Available wireless smartphone charging (Touring and above)
• Available Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• Available rear-seat entertainment system with 10.2-inch screen (Touring and above)
• Multi-angle rearview camera
• Available CabinTalk in-car PA system (Touring and above)

Fuel Economy

The 2022 Honda Pilot offers competitive fuel economy ratings for a midsize SUV with a V6 engine. According to the EPA, the Pilot achieves the following fuel economy estimates:

3.5-liter V6

• FWD (mpg): 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined
• AWD (mpg): 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined

2022 Honda Pilot Reviews

Consumer reviews of the 2022 Honda Pilot on Kelley Blue Book are questionable, thanks to a subpar average rating of 3.5 out of 5. Lower reliability, quality, value, and performance scores hamper the Pilot's ranking.

Reasons to Buy It

• The new entry-level Sport trim offers excellent value with comprehensive features
• The new TrailSport trim caters to off-road enthusiasts with improved capabilities
• Spacious and flexible cabin
• Ample cargo space
• Seven- or eight-passenger seating
• Robust V6 power

Problems

• Exterior styling may be considered conservative compared to some rivals
• Third-row access can be cumbersome in some configurations
• Infotainment system, while improved, may not be as advanced as some competitors
• Fuel economy, while competitive, isn't class-leading
• Some desirable features are limited to higher trims

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CoPilot's Take

The 2022 Honda Pilot is a well-rounded package that combines practicality, comfort, and capability. Introducing the new Sport and TrailSport trims for this model year broadens the Pilot's appeal, catering to value-conscious buyers and those seeking more adventure-oriented features.

The Pilot's core advantages are its spacious and versatile interior, strong V6 engine, and comfortable ride quality. The cabin's thoughtful design and ample passenger space make it an excellent choice for families, while the configurable seating and generous cargo area provide flexibility.

The new TrailSport trim is a welcome addition, offering enhanced off-road capabilities without significantly compromising on-road comfort. This positions the Pilot to compete more effectively with more rugged-oriented rivals in the segment, but TrailSport’s capabilities do have their limits.

At the same time, the Pilot isn't without its drawbacks. Its exterior styling can be considered conservative compared to more boldly designed competitors. Additionally, while the infotainment system is functional and user-friendly, it may not be as advanced or visually impressive as in some rival vehicles.

There’s also the question of the Pilot’s reliability. Consumer ratings on Kelley Blue Book show dependability concerns, and Consumer Reports offers a 57 out of 100 reliability score. However, this doesn’t show up elsewhere. NHTSA and carcomplaints.com have owner reports on file but not at a volume that raises a red flag. Further, it may be too early to get a complete picture of this SUV’s reliability. Nonetheless, prospective buyers should consider a pre-purchase inspection of any 2022 Pilot.

2022 Honda Pilot FAQs

Is the 2022 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes, the 2022 Honda Pilot is generally considered a good car. It offers a spacious and versatile interior, comfortable ride quality, strong performance from its V6 engine, and a comprehensive set of standard safety features. The Pilot receives positive reviews for its practicality and family-friendly features. While it may not lead the class in every category, its well-rounded nature makes it a solid choice in the midsize SUV segment.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Honda Pilot?

As a relatively new model, it's too early to definitively identify common problems specific to the 2022 Honda Pilot. However, based on early owner reports and reviews, some potential areas of concern include:

• Infotainment system glitches or unresponsiveness in some units
• Occasional hesitation or roughness in the nine-speed automatic transmission
• Sporadic electrical system issues

It's important to note that these issues may not affect all vehicles, and many owner reports don’t point to any overwhelming trouble spots.

What is the difference between the 2022 and the 2023 Honda Pilot?

The 2023 Honda Pilot represents a complete redesign, marking the beginning of a new generation, while the 2022 model is the last year of the previous generation. Key differences include:

• Exterior Design: The 2023 Pilot features a new, more rugged exterior design.
• Interior: The 2023 model has a redesigned interior with updated technology and materials.
• Size: The 2023 Pilot is slightly larger, offering more interior space.
• Powertrain: While both use a 3.5-liter V6, the 2023 model has a slight increase in horsepower and a new ten-speed automatic transmission.
• Technology: The 2023 Pilot offers more advanced tech features, including a larger available touchscreen.
• Safety: While both have Honda Sensing, the 2023 model includes some updates to these systems.

Is there a 2022 Honda Pilot Special Edition?

Yes, there is a Special Edition trim for the 2022 Honda Pilot; it’s a mid-tier variant. The complete trim range consists of:

• 2022 Honda Pilot Sport
• 2022 Honda Pilot EX-L
• 2022 Honda Pilot Special Edition
• 2022 Honda Pilot TrailSport
• 2022 Honda Pilot Touring
• 2022 Honda Pilot Elite
• 2022 Honda Pilot Black Edition

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