2022 Honda Pilot

2022 is the final model year of the third generation (2016–2022), carrying over the 3.5L SOHC i-VTEC V6 unchanged from prior years.

Unchanged J35Y6 V6 torque figure for the final year of the third generation.

Car and Driver's instrumented tests of recent third-generation Pilots (Elite/EX AWD and FWD) cluster around 6.1–6.2 seconds; Edmunds' own test of an Elite AWD came in slower at 7.0 seconds, so there is real test-to-test spread for an unchanged carryover powertrain.

The 3.5L V6 is smooth and linear with no turbo lag, and reviewers consistently praise its refinement; the 9-speed automatic occasionally hunts for the right gear at low speed, keeping it out of the top band.

All 2022 trims use the 9-speed automatic (the 6-speed was dropped with the LX trim for this model year); reviewers note occasional low-speed hesitation and a busy shift map searching for the right gear, though mid-range response is good.

Honda's published towing ratings for the 2022 Pilot are unchanged from prior third-generation years.

Honda's torque-vectoring i-VTM4 AWD is optional on Sport, EX-L and Touring and standard on TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition — available across most of the range with a genuinely sophisticated system (torque vectoring, Intelligent Traction Management with multiple terrain modes), though it is not standard fleet-wide.

The new-for-2022 TrailSport trim adds a 0.6-inch suspension lift (7.9 in. ground clearance vs. 7.3 in.), all-terrain tires and dedicated traction-management modes — genuine light off-road provision, but no skid plates, locking differential, or low-range, so it stops short of the segment's dedicated off-road leaders.

Every 2022 Pilot trim uses the same 3.5L gas V6 and 9-speed automatic — no turbo, hybrid, or electrified option anywhere in the lineup (that arrives later, elsewhere in Honda's range, not on Pilot).

EPA figures for the carry-over 3.5L V6/9-speed powertrain, unchanged for the final third-generation year.

EPA city rating for the AWD configuration, Honda's more commonly equipped drivetrain for this segment.

EPA highway rating for the AWD configuration.

Computed by EPA from the combined MPG rating and Honda's published 19.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, unchanged for 2022.

EPA's standard annual-cost estimate at 15,000 miles/year and current fuel price assumptions.

The Pilot's V6 runs on regular unleaded across every 2022 trim, with no premium recommendation anywhere in the lineup.

NHTSA's 5-star overall rating is the best available outcome on this test; the 4-star frontal/rollover sub-scores don't reduce the overall rounded rating.

The third-generation Pilot missed Top Safety Pick/TSP+ entirely — strong on the legacy protocols (Good on original moderate overlap, original side, roof strength, driver-side small overlap, head restraints) but it drew Acceptable on passenger-side small overlap and, under IIHS's newer, tougher protocols instituted in 2022, Poor on the updated moderate overlap front test and Marginal on the updated side test. The redesigned 2023 Pilot fixed this and earned TSP+, underscoring that the 2022 body structure was the weak point.

Honda Sensing (AEB/collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition) is standard on every 2022 Pilot trim from LX up, and the Blind Spot Information System is likewise standard fleet-wide rather than trim-gated.

IIHS rates the standard AEB system Advanced for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, a solid daytime result, but it earned No Credit in both the daytime and nighttime pedestrian front crash prevention evaluations — a real gap rather than just a weaker night score, which the 2023 redesign's Superior pedestrian ratings later closed.

Blind Spot Information System is standard across the whole 2022 lineup and the optional LaneWatch camera adds a live passenger-side video feed, but the system is alert-only (indicator light plus audible chime) with no active steering or braking intervention.

Owner and reviewer reports on this (pre-redesign) Honda Sensing generation describe a pronounced 'ping-pong' effect bouncing between lane lines rather than true centering, with the system losing faint lane markings and drifting wide through sharper curves.

Honda's ACC on this generation includes Low Speed Follow down to a stop, so full-speed-range operation is present, but reviewers consistently note abrupt, late braking responses to closing traffic rather than a smooth throttle release, and no stop-and-go resume refinement to match newer competitors.

Honda offered no hands-free highway driving system (no BlueCruise/Super Cruise equivalent) on the 2022 Pilot; Honda Sensing's ACC and lane centering remain hands-on Level 2 systems.

IIHS rates the LED reflector headlights on Touring/Elite/Black Edition Good, but the volume EX-L/Sport/TrailSport/Special Edition trims use LED projector units rated only Acceptable — the good headlights are an upper-trim-only feature.

Reviewers consistently credit the Pilot's tall glass area, slim pillars and upright seating position with excellent forward and rear-quarter sightlines for a three-row SUV, with the standard Blind Spot Information System and optional LaneWatch camera further compensating for the remaining blind zones.

LATCH lower anchors are present at all three second-row positions plus the third-row passenger seat, and the roomy cabin makes installation itself easy, but IIHS rates the system only Acceptable (its second-highest tier) because the second-row tether anchors are hidden low on the seatback and the third-row tethers can be confused for other hardware.

Three-row mid-size SUV seats 8 with the standard second-row bench; captain's chairs drop capacity to 7 on upper trims.

Mid-pack front headroom for a mid-size three-row SUV.

Front legroom sits near the low end of the mid-size SUV band.

Second-row headroom is generous for the segment.

Second-row legroom is comfortably above the segment median.

One-touch second-row slide eases access and the third row is wide enough for two adults short-trip or kids full-time, but 31.9 in of third-row legroom is tight for adult long-haul use.

Cargo behind the second row (third row in place) is competitive for the mid-size three-row class.

Maximum cargo with both rear rows folded is solidly above the segment median.

Deep center console, abundant cubbies/door pockets and a flat-folding 2nd/3rd row are competitive everyday storage, but nothing segment-leading like a true cargo-area trunk or giga-console.

Owner and reviewer consensus rates front and rear seats as comfortable and well-cushioned for long trips, with heated front seats standard.

Reviewers consistently describe the Pilot's suspension as absorbing road imperfections well with controlled body motions, making it comfortable both around town and on the highway.

A recurring owner complaint is elevated road noise at highway speed, even dismissed by dealers as 'normal Honda noise' — average-to-below-average for the segment.

Heated front seats standard across all seven trims; heated 2nd-row captain's chairs on Touring-7, and perforated heated/ventilated front seats on Elite and Black Edition — rich availability but not standard fleet-wide.

Sport replaced LX/EX as the entry trim for 2022, raising the floor price versus prior years while adding standard content.

EX-L is the historical volume trim for the Pilot, balancing leather/power features against price before the TrailSport/Touring step-up.

Edmunds' 5-year True Cost to Own model projects maintenance and repair separately by trim; EX-L figures used as the volume-trim estimate, in line with other V6 mainstream midsize SUVs.

CarEdge's model-year-specific retention figure is used over generic nameplate-wide depreciation estimates (which range 38–45% loss) because 2022 vehicles benefited from unusually strong used-vehicle pricing tied to the pandemic-era inventory shortage.

Standard Honda new-vehicle limited warranty, unchanged for the 2022 model year — at the low end of the segment band.

Standard Honda powertrain coverage — shorter than the 10-year/100,000-mile coverage several mainstream rivals (Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi) offered in 2022.

Honda includes 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary roadside assistance but no included scheduled maintenance plan for the Pilot, unlike several rivals bundling 1-3 years of free service; HondaLink's free tier is informational (recalls, service scheduling) rather than a maintenance credit.

$40,285 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (63.9% retained, or about $25,742) leaves about $14,543 in depreciation. Add the projected $9,926 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $24,469 in total.

Consumer Reports' predicted reliability for the 2019-2022 Pilot generation has been average-to-below-average for several consecutive model years, driven by the 9-speed automatic (harsh/delayed shifting, lurching) and infotainment complaints; third-party aggregators split roughly 57-72/100.

Honda's standing diverges by source: Consumer Reports ranked Honda 3rd among mainstream brands (Feb 2023), but J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study had Honda at 24th in 2022 and 18th in 2023 — mid-pack rather than consistently top-5.

NHTSA shows 5 recalls for the 2022 Pilot, including two safety-critical campaigns: brake master cylinder separation (loss of braking) and rear subframe corrosion requiring a reinforcement kit, plus an occupant-detection airbag sensor recall and a rearview-camera display fault — more than a typical, minor recall slate.

The 3.5L J35Y6 V6 is a long-proven, high-mileage Honda engine family, but the 9-speed ZF automatic fitted to EX-L/Touring/Elite trims (6-speed on LX/Sport) carries a well-documented TCM/PCM calibration defect across 2016-2022 Pilots alleged in litigation to cause harsh/delayed shifts and lurching — a known problem component offsetting the engine's strong reputation.

Reviewers note genuine soft-touch coverage on the dash and switchgear that feels solid for the price, but call the cabin plain next to newer three-row rivals (Palisade, Telluride, CX-9) and Consumer Reports flagged interior quality/tech as a relative weak point for the generation.

Reviews describe generally tight, rattle-free assembly for this generation; no direct J.D. Power IQS figure was found for the Pilot itself, so this is inferred from sibling-model Honda three-row scores (2022 Odyssey 81/100, Ridgeline 80/100) and consistent owner/reviewer commentary rather than a Pilot-specific IQS score.

Honda runs one of the largest dealer networks in the US (~1,000 franchises) with strong, consistent service-satisfaction scores among mass-market brands.

Honda parts are abundant and backed by a huge aftermarket and independent-shop support network; RepairPal's average annual repair cost for the Pilot ($542) is below both the midsize-SUV segment average ($573) and the all-vehicle average ($652).

Every 2022 Pilot trim gets the same 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen; no larger screen is offered.

The third-generation Display Audio system is functional but dated for 2022 — simple menu structure with physical volume knob, yet criticized by reviewers as behind rivals in graphics and response speed ahead of the 2023 redesign.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims but only via wired connection in 2022 — wireless CarPlay did not arrive on the Pilot until the redesigned 2023 model.

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation with voice recognition is available on TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition trims and is serviceable, though most owners default to phone projection for routing.

Base audio is adequate for the class; Honda does not pair the 2022 Pilot with a widely-branded premium audio system, so even top trims sit mid-pack on sound quality.

The 2022 Pilot retains analog gauges with a small multi-information display rather than a configurable full-digital cluster on any trim.

The 2022 Pilot's infotainment generation does not support meaningful over-the-air feature updates; navigation map updates, where fitted, are the extent of connected update capability.

The HondaLink app supports remote start, lock/unlock and vehicle locate on equipped trims — core functions present but not best-in-class polish.

USB-A ports only (one center console port on base Sport, two added in the 2nd row from EX-L up); wireless phone charging is limited to Special Edition, TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition — adequate but dated versus USB-C-equipped rivals.

Proximity entry and push-button start are standard, with remote start and hands-free power tailgate available from the Special Edition trim up.

A Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines is standard, but no 360-degree surround-view camera was offered until the 2023 redesign added one to the Touring trim.

No head-up display was offered on any 2022 Pilot trim.

Wide door openings, a one-touch second-row slide for third-row access, and flat-folding seats make daily family loading easy; LATCH anchors are present in the second row as expected for the class.

Honda Sensing (forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise, blind-spot) is standard on every trim including the base Sport, a strong family-safety proposition at no extra cost.

Three rows with usable cargo space (46.8 cu ft behind row 2), comfortable seating and available rear climate/heated 2nd-row chairs on upper trims support multi-hour family trips, tempered by road noise at highway speed.

Reviewers describe confidence-inspiring steering, a smooth V6/9-speed powertrain and composed low-speed manners that make the Pilot relaxing in daily traffic despite its size.

22-23 MPG combined (AWD/FWD) is typical-to-slightly-below-average for a mid-size three-row SUV, keeping per-mile running costs around the segment norm rather than a standout.

A 37.7-39.4 ft turning diameter and three-row footprint make the Pilot noticeably large for tight urban parking, offset only by a standard rearview camera rather than a 360-degree view.

Maximum tow rating of 5,000 lbs (AWD) / 3,500 lbs (FWD) is modest for the mid-size SUV class and trails truck-based and larger three-row rivals, limiting serious work/towing duty.

Honda's V6/automatic combination has a generally solid reputation, but the 2022 model year carries real owner complaints (moonroof failures, hatch water intrusion, rear glass issues) that temper a work-duty durability case.

The Pilot is a family-oriented crossover with no meaningful upfit ecosystem, onboard power, or jobsite-focused features beyond basic cargo tie-downs.

A comfortable, well-controlled highway ride and standard adaptive cruise/lane-keeping reduce driver fatigue on long trips, though road noise and ~400-mile real-world range on a ~19.5-gal tank are mid-pack rather than class-leading.

The torque-vectoring AWD system (available on most trims) improves traction on gravel and poor weather, and the TrailSport trim adds 7.9 in of ground clearance and all-terrain tuning, but the Pilot remains fundamentally pavement-oriented versus body-on-frame rivals.

83.8 cu ft maximum cargo with both rear rows folded flat, plus roof rails on most trims, gives strong gear-hauling flexibility for a mid-size three-row SUV.

Reviewers note composed body control and little body roll in corners for a mid-size SUV, but it is explicitly not athletic or sporty — secure rather than engaging.

Steering is described as confidence-inspiring and accurately weighted but delivers little genuine road feedback — precise rather than communicative.

No major complaints about pedal feel or fade; stopping performance is typical for the class without being a standout.

The 280-hp 3.5L V6 is smooth with ample power, though the 9-speed automatic can hesitate on kickdown in everyday driving.

The V6 is audible under hard acceleration but not harsh or droning; it is the road noise, rather than powertrain noise, that owners flag most.

39.4 ft turning diameter on the EX-L volume trim is mid-pack for a mid-size three-row SUV; the base Sport trim turns tighter at 37.7 ft.

An elevated SUV seating position gives good outward visibility and the dash layout retains physical climate/volume controls, though the base-trim 8-way-max driver seat lacks top-trim adjustability.

Described as comfortable and sure-footed rather than engaging — the Pilot prioritizes family-hauling comfort over driver enjoyment, with no enthusiast following.

The 2022 refresh made Honda Sensing (full active-safety suite), an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, remote start and a power tailgate standard even on the entry Sport trim — stronger base content than Highlander LE or Explorer base, though short of Telluride/Palisade's loaded base specs.

Fair value for a roomy, V6-powered three-row with strong reliability reputation, but pricing climbed with the Sport trim's debut and the Pilot lacks the segment-leading cabin tech or standout value proposition of the Telluride/Palisade pair.

Eight distinct trim/drivetrain combinations spanning $38,055–$51,845 (Sport through Black Edition, each with 2WD/AWD where applicable) give buyers a wide, reasonably well-spaced ladder, including an off-road-styled TrailSport.

99,567 units sold in the US in 2022, a roughly 30% YoY decline — but the drop tracks industry-wide chip-shortage inventory constraints rather than collapsing demand; Pilot remained a steady mid-pack seller behind the Highlander, Explorer, Grand Cherokee and Telluride.

Honda carries a strong, trusted mainstream brand image built on reliability and resale, though it lacks an aspirational halo — a neutral-to-positive perception rather than a loyalist-driven one.

2022 fell squarely in the pandemic-era chip shortage, when dealer inventory was thin across the industry and the Pilot commonly sold at or near MSRP with few manufacturer incentives, unlike the lease/APR deals common in normal years.

2022 is the final model year of the third generation (2016, facelifted 2019) — the fully redesigned fourth-generation Pilot debuted November 2022 for the 2023 model year, so 2022 buyers were purchasing a generation with its replacement already imminent.

Well-reviewed as a space-efficient, smooth-riding, reliable family hauler (Edmunds 8.2/10) but consistently cited as behind the Telluride/Palisade/Explorer on handling, cabin tech and comparison-test wins; no major award (e.g. 2022-specific Top Safety Pick, NACTOY) found for this model year.