Generation history
The Honda Pilot has been through 4 generations, starting in 2003, 2009, 2016 and 2023. The gaps were 6, 7, 7 years, an average of 6.7. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2023. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2029 through 2031, centered on 2030. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The fourth-generation Pilot made its debut on November 7, 2022. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Honda Pilot model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | YF1/2 | 2003–2009 | The first-generation Pilot was unveiled in December 2001 and later released for sale on June 3, 2002 for the 2003 model year. |
| Second generation | YF3/4 | 2009–2016 | The larger second generation Pilot was unveiled as a prototype in January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show, and was released for sale on May 22, 2008. |
| Third generation | YF5/6 | 2016–2023 | The third-generation Pilot debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2015, and production began in May. |
| Fourth generation | YG1/2 | 2023–present | The fourth-generation Pilot made its debut on November 7, 2022. |
The Honda Pilot spent 6.7 years per generation on average. The current one is 3 years old. Treat 2029 to 2031 as a range, not a date.
Source: Honda Pilot (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Honda Pilot model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
The first-generation Pilot was unveiled in December 2001 and later released for sale on June 3, 2002 for the 2003 model year. The 2003 and 2004 Pilot models featured the J35A4 engine, an all-aluminum 3.5L V6 SOHC with VTEC, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 242 lb⋅ft of torque. The 2005 Pilot received a new engine, the J35A6, which added drive-by-wire throttle and produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 250 lb⋅ft of torque.
The larger second generation Pilot was unveiled as a prototype in January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show, and was released for sale on May 22, 2008. Assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, it was offered in five trims; LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and SE (2015 only). All second generation Pilots used a new J35Z4 3.5-liter V6 i-VTEC engine producing 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) SAE net at 5700 rpm and 253 lb⋅ft of torque at 4800 rpm.
The third-generation Pilot debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2015, and production began in May. It was made available for sale on June 18, 2015 for the 2016 model year. The exterior is sleeker in appearance compared to its boxier predecessor with a 10 percent reduction in drag area. Added to the exterior are standard LED brake and tail lights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on EX trims and above, and LED headlamps with automatic high-low beam switching the on new Elite model with special "Elite" badging.
The fourth-generation Pilot made its debut on November 7, 2022. It went on sale on December 12, 2022 for the 2023 model year. A DOHC (non-VTEC) 3.5-liter J35Y8 V6 engine with 285 horsepower (213 kW; 289 PS) and 262 lb⋅ft of torque powers this generation Honda Pilot replacing the previous J35Y6 V6 engine. It is paired to a Honda ten-speed automatic gearbox which replaces the ZF 9HP automatic gearbox.
Generation notes adapted from Honda Pilot (Wikipedia).
Today's Honda Pilot
NHTSA rated the 2025 Honda Pilot overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Honda Pilot, most often about forward collision avoidance (55), electrical system (43), steering (38).