2016 Honda Pilot review from Family Wheels

[@cottagegymfun]

Bring in the whole gang! Yep that's what this van is built for and just so damn practical and road worthy. I bought the EX-L with Honda sensing because I want the second row bench, leather interior, and the shift stick. Now, it comes with 6 forward speeds as opposed to 9. Overall very happy with the purchase!

[@talgatmendibaev]

I agree with you about the absence of full bench on the second row. for some people it is like a deal breaker. That's why i am going for one option below the top one. This is a family car, so more seats - better.

[@Bradmeiser]

Or you could cross the border into the US to the first Honda dealership you can find because here in the US the Touring has that second row bench seat the model they are selling in Canada as the Touring is the Elite trim here in the US.

[@talgatmendibaev]

@@Bradmeiser haha a reply after 5 years. I went for ford explorer at the end.

[@Red_Bearded_Dad]

My wife and I each have 2016 Pilot EX-Ls. We love them. Price was the reason for us going for the middle tier Pilot. After seeing this video, I wouldn't even consider a higher trim! Seems like instead of being nicer, you're actually paying $10K more to be annoyed. Same thing goes for the MDX. Why get an MDX that really isn't that much nicer than a Pilot Elite? Again, the MDX is about $10K more than a Pilot Elite. I'm happy with both of our Pilots in EX-L trim. You get a traditional shifter, lane watch, back up cameras, the same finger print magnet for a radio, a second row bench, and leather. If anyone is that interested in paying the price for the Elite or Touring, I invite them to buy an EX-L or EX-L RES, then pay me $10K to kick them in the nuts. At least then they'd have a great car and the annoying part would be over quickly.

[@FamilyWheels]

Glad you're digging your new Pilots. I hope you got a bulk discount!

[@Red_Bearded_Dad]

We did actually. The dealer came down on the price about $3000 and gave us $1000 above "EXCELLENT" value based on KBB for our trade-ins. We bought my wife's in April and mine earlier this month (July). My trade-in was a 2013 Toyota Tundra CrewMax. Originally I was going to pick up a 2017 Ridgeline, but the trunk was smaller than my previous 2010 Ridgeline. Deal breaker. We love our Pilots. On a recent 800 mile trip (1600 mile round trip) we averaged 28.1 miles per gallon.

[@FamilyWheels]

Good work. That's great mileage, too. Anything you don't like?

[@Red_Bearded_Dad]

I don't like that there are no power outlets of any kind for the second row in anything less than a EX-L RES. There are 2 12-volt outlets and 3 USB ports in the front, but nothing behind that. I'm not a huge fan of the infotainment system. It can be really buggy at times. It would be convenient if the glass lifted separately in the rear hatch like the 2009-2015 models. I think that's all that needs to be improved. Maybe add slightly wider tires. These seem narrow.

[@Red_Bearded_Dad]

I'm actually in the U.S. We used TrueCar to negotiate the price. I'm not sure if that is a service offered in Canada or not. This is how TrueCar works (basically): You go to their website, enter the information for the make, model, package and color of the car you are interested in purchasing. Then TrueCar sends that request to all the dealers in your area. All the dealers know they are competing so then the dealers contact you with their absolute best price. Eliminates almost all of the haggling. The only thing you'll have to haggle is the amount they give you for your trade in vehicle if you have one.

[@jackies35]

The wind is killing me... Thank God you put a stop to it....

[@shawntt2157]

GREAT review, am in Alberta too and just had a spin in this touring myself today. One thing I discovered and liked about the 3rd row was that, it actually reclines slightly, so making it little more comfortable given the limited legroom.

[@FamilyWheels]

+Shawn TT A lot of third row vehicles are doing this now, Shawn. Definitely a nice addition. Thanks for watching!

[@emandeli1]

Great review. Can't get enough reviews that consider actually using the 3rd row and installing child seats (or adding a dog!).

[@FamilyWheels]

+emandeli1 Thanks for watching! That's the idea.

[@MatthewBoudot1]

+Family Wheels Hey Family Wheels, would also love to see a review on the similar new Toyota 2016 Highlander!

[@markjacobson1285]

Nice review. Just ordered a Touring today from Rivertown Honda in Grandville, Michigan. I have not driven the 9 speed yet, but the two six speed EX-L were very nice. We have a 2015 Pilot EX-L and your dad was spot on. The 2016 has a much higher end feel and the ride is upgraded as well. Thanks for the tip on the vented seats. I do not have any second thoughts about not buying the Elite. By the way, I am looking at a three too four month waiting time for the Pilot to come in.

[@FamilyWheels]

+Mark Jacobson Yeah, a lot of people excited about this one, Mark. Not surprised about the wait list. Thanks for watching and enjoy your new wheels.

[@joooyceee100]

How are you liking your pilot?

[@reneyjose1]

Thank you Paul for your input.

[@reneyjose1]

Excellent review!!! Thanks for sharing your review. According to you..Which is the Best SAFE SUV AWD vehicle with, best in class cargo space, 8 seater with comfortable ride quality?...I hope this question is not too tough. Honestly, I just started watching ur reviews since yesterday. And I find ur reviews very GENUINE and UNBIASED. You very much use simple lay man language , which is easier to understand than any other review...Keep up the Great work going..

[@FamilyWheels]

+Reney Jose For eight passengers, it gets a little trickier, Reney. On the smaller side, there's the Toyota Highlander. In the middle ground, there's the Pilot (as above). And if you want something large, the Toyota Sequoia is a choice my brother-in-law decided upon after a great deal of research. He liked that choice because of an excellent towing capacity and interior space... but fuel economy will suffer.

[@friendlai99]

As a calgarian, this review is perfect for me . As for the yogurt test, you can use Johnson's powder instead. Good review.

[@FamilyWheels]

+friendlai Thanks for watching and good suggestion.

[@HydroCyclone]

Paul, thanks for the great review. I really enjoy watching all your videos. I am living in northern Alberta and your review of the Touring makes me seriously considering buying one in Edmonton. I read some online reviews regarding to the 9 speed transmission issues and FM radio issues. Have you experienced any of those issues or any other at all? Do you recommend EX-L /RES (DVD feature requested by my kids) or Touring? Thanks.

[@FamilyWheels]

+Kevin Liu Hi Kevin, I remember hearing about transmission issues in the Pilot from owners. During my week with it, I found the shifting was smooth and responsive. I'd suggest you take one out and make up your own mind. My issue with the touring trim was the lack of a centre seat in the second row. If you have a big family, you'll forego the ability to squeeze a third in the second row.

[@infamousS709]

Great review! Super helpful for families

[@donroni1]

How did you clean up the yogurt that was in the perforations?

[@madelcid]

great review ! le meilleur que j'ai vu à date :) merci!

[@FamilyWheels]

Merci, Mario!

[@eddierebelo4828]

You must have the elite, because I own a 2017 pilot touring edition and I have an 8 seat seat configuration with a full bench, unless it wasn’t offered on the 2016

[@joooyceee100]

Eddie rebelo elite in the USA is touring in Canada.

[@orangetrulo]

for a family of 5, (2 adults, 3 kids- 1 booster, 2 car seat) would you choose the Pilot or XC90?

[@FamilyWheels]

+Peter Petrulo Two pretty different vehicles, Peter. I love the new XC90 but its base price is a lot more expensive than the Pilot. Beautiful vehicle, though. I'm also testing the new Audi Q7 this week which is proving to be a great addition to the 7 passenger SUV segment so make sure to check that review out, too.

[@premiercconstruction]

Neither go with a minivan

[@yashaspradeep7073]

Peter Petrulo just get the XC90 I got the t8 hybrid, so essentially better fuel efficiency, good quality part like a Honda, and is much more autonomous.

[@joooyceee100]

What did you choose?

[@ThePanamanianMike]

Hi, I live out here in Germany where it tends to snow during the winter. I would have to be curious how it handles off road with the FWD and the AWD models. I need something big and thats safer driving uphill and in the snow for my family

[@DigitalBoomBox]

great review. how did you find the transmission? i've been reading some complaints. the us seems to have 1 additional trim with 8 seats and the 9 speed auto. cheers

[@FamilyWheels]

+Karim Vassanji The 9 speed isn't totally smooth at low speeds but on the highway it's fantastic. The strange thing is the 6 speed is only a tiny bit less efficient and much smoother so I don't totally understand why the 6 speed isn't the transmission across the board on this car. Thanks for watching, Karim.

[@DigitalBoomBox]

+Family Wheels yes that's what i have been reading. if the 6 speed had a sequential mode it would be a no brainer. thanks for the response and keep it up!

[@Mojo27564]

Good review!

[@pawelkoper]

Great review!

[@FamilyWheels]

+pawelkoper Thanks for watching!

[@reneyjose1]

We are a family of 6 adults and a kid. With average height of 5ft 8 inch.

[@albert333pool]

What size rims are those?

[@musthaf1]

i love your reviews but when you say what you are averaging can you also convert it for us Americans, our dumb system uses gallons.

[@apwang2436]

Good one.

[@logan9758]

Yes that driver seat feature is so annoying for a backseat passenger

[@sferris33]

How does it compare to the Toyota Highlander?

[@FamilyWheels]

This is bigger but we preferred the Highlander in our testing.

[@sferris33]

Family Wheels any particular reason why you preferred the Highlander

[@FamilyWheels]

I preferred its size for daily driving, I think it looks better, there have been some transmission issues with the Pilot and Toyota's reliability is rock solid. Which way are you leaning?

[@sferris33]

Family Wheels the Highlander. I'm weary the button shifter and push button start

[@723lion]

thats a touring, only elite has 7 seats in US no?

[@FamilyWheels]

+723lion Not sure about the US trims. 7 seater available in Touring trim in Canada.

[@skyisdlimit6125]

Hmnnn a vehicle that will break on my behalf. Doesn't sound safe to me

[@ldawson103]

I cringed when you did the yogurt "test". I have owned several cars with this type of leather and never ran into this problem.

[@FamilyWheels]

+ldawson103 Thanks for watching. I hear from a lot of folks who say it's a helpful test and that they've had problems cleaning-up spills with this style of seat as well. Given our family slant, a worthwhile test.

[@ldawson103]

+Family Wheels No problem, thanks for the reply.

[@leochen4891]

how are you gonna get the yogurt out?

[@FamilyWheels]

+Lei Chen Elbow grease! Lots of it.

[@leochen4891]

Family Wheels Would vacuum cleaner work?

[@alcolavista-22]

be ware of 2009 to 2016 pilot vcm engine issues...usa and canada extended the warranty for the engine vibration issues for onother 10 yrs..If u end up with the dealers... findings are always normal vibration and u r free to go ..thats the 10 yrs warranty....I bought 2009 pilot vibrates at 110 k then for the price of $61,000 cndian for 2011 touring..same shit of vcm issues vibrates for 65k.....all electronics it just the same principle...nav...good space..dvd...heated...etc etc etc...finally electronics bi pass come up...vcm muzzler electronics to run at 6 cylinders all the time......if u can take tylenol everytime you drive the pilot..its your choice.....good luck amigos...

[@jackies35]

Oh wait... $50k? Sorry! Not for a Honda.

[@FamilyWheels]

+The Photo Booth Chick You bring up an interesting point. The top of the line Pilot is about the same price as the base model Acura MDX so if the badge is important to you, that may be a worthwhile jump as they share a lot of the same underpinnings. Thanks for watching!

[@Madmaxxxx1984]

But people will spend 50k on a Explorer or Tahoe , well at least with a Honda Pilot you will get iron reliability and many many more years out of it than any other American platform, Facts.