2016 Honda Pilot — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2016 Honda Pilot

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $30,027–$39,325
Fuel Economy 15 MPG
Seating 7 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $3,500/yr

Key Specifications — 2016 Honda Pilot

Seating Capacity7 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$30,027–$39,325

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2016 Honda Pilot

With an overall Carivo score of 7.7/10, the 2016 Honda Pilot earns a Recommended rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Technology at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 8.2/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. Safety is a strength too — 8.5/10 by our scoring. As with any car, verify the official ratings for your specific trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance lands mid-pack at 7.0/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology scores 6.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $30,027–$39,325, 15 MPG, seating 7, the Honda Pilot sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: Think of the 2016 Honda Pilot as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in technology are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2016 Honda Pilot ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,027 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 17%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Pilot Year Should You Buy?

Across the Pilot model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 8.2/10$40,695 Read review →
2025 8.2/10$40,695 Read review →
2024 8.1/10$39,510 Read review →
2023 8.0/10$38,324 Read review →
2022 7.9/10$37,139 Read review →
2021 7.9/10$35,954 Read review →
2020 7.8/10$34,768 Read review →
2019 7.9/10$33,583 Read review →
2018 7.8/10$32,398 Read review →
2017 7.8/10$31,212 Read review →
2016 (this review) 7.7/10$30,027
2015 7.7/10$28,842 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2016 Honda Pilot

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 15 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2016 Honda Pilot (8 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel system, gasoline / Storage
30/03/2017 · 17V219000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.
Fuel system, gasoline / Storage / Tank assembly
09/06/2016 · 16V417000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that…
Seat belts / Rear/other
06/07/2015 · 15V424000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner.
Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel
16/10/2015 · 15V668000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to September 8, 2015 and 2016 Pilot 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015. In the affected vehicles, when one of…
Structure / Body / Hood
29/11/2021 · 21V932000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

More Honda Reviews

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