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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $39,983–$50,271 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Honda Pilot S is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 7.2/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.1/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.2/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $39,983–$50,271, 19 MPG, seating 7, the Honda Pilot S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.5/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Honda Pilot S will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
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 →
The 2020 Honda Pilot S ranks #428 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 83% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $39,983 starting price is about 11% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Honda Pilot S scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.8 — and starts roughly $4,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.2/10 | $46,799 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.1/10 | $45,436 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $44,072 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $42,709 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $41,347 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $39,983 | |
| 2019 | 7.9/10 | $38,620 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.8/10 | $37,257 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.7/10 | $35,893 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $34,531 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.7/10 | $33,168 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.