Honda invested some energy in enhancing its aging 2022 Honda Pilot. Now seven years deep in its life cycle, this reliable family hauler screams for a serious updating.
This grand dame competes with fresh and freshened faces like the Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Volkswagen Atlas.
Don’t get us wrong, all the elements that established the Pilot among the top-tier of three-row, midsize SUVs are still there.
It’s roomy, durable and brilliantly retains its value down the road. Providing better-than-average performance, it rolls along the highway unaffected by surface imperfections.
It still seats up to eight.
But, to maintain its lofty position among its peers, it needs a serious makeover.
In a nod to that end, the 2022 version sports an updated infotainment system. It comes with a new 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
LED headlights are now standard across all grades.
For 2022, Honda offers the Pilot in Sport, EX-L, Special Edition, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard in the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trim grades and available in all the other Pilots for a $2,000 upcharge.
As is common in the Honda lineup, Pilot doesn’t offer much in the way of options. If you want more content, you must move up a trim level or two.
Power and Fuel Economy
Providing the Pilot’s thrust is a 3.5-liter V6. It generates 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Engine output gets to the wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.
EPA fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) Pilot is 20 miles per gallon in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg in combined driving.
With drive wheels at all four corners, those numbers drop slightly to 19 mpg/26 mpg/22 mpg.
2022 Honda Pilot Sport (starting at $36,830)
The new base model for 2022, the Honda Pilot Sport, is equipped with LED headlights, a heated power-adjustable driver’s seat, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and 3-zone climate control.
Other standard features on the new Pilot Sport include a pushbutton starter, heated side-view mirrors, a capless fuel filler, a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, active noise cancellation, and 20-inch wheels in Pewter Gray.
Rear privacy glass also comes standard on the Sport, along with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, and SiriusXM satellite radio working through a 215-watt sound system with seven speakers.
Active driver-aids include the full Honda Sensing safety suite, which includes forward-collision warning, front emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and lane-keeping assist.
Also standard are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and high-beam assist.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the EX-L base price totals $38,055. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $684. See 2022 Honda Pilot Sport models for sale near you
2022 Honda Pilot Sport Includes:
- Heated seats – Both front seats of the Honda Pilot Sport come standard with heaters, which is much appreciated in winter.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – These are standard among the infotainment system offerings, including a new 8-inch touchscreen and a 7-speaker audio system.
- Suite of driver aids – This comprehensive group includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and high-beam assist.
2022 Honda Pilot EX-L (starting at $39,060)
Spending an extra $2,230 will get you a Honda Pilot EX-L, a luxurious model equipped with standard leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate, and a one-touch power moonroof.
Other EX-L-specific hardware includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 2nd-row sunshades, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a wireless phone charger.
As on the Sport, AWD is a $2,000 option on the Pilot EX-L.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the EX-L price brings the total to $40,285. With no money down, financing that amount for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $724 per month. See 2022 Honda Pilot EX-L models for sale near you
2022 Honda Pilot EX-L Includes:
- 18-inch alloy wheels – With 18-inch wheels (as opposed to 20s), the tire sidewalls are taller and more flexible, helping to give this Pilot a more comfortable ride on rough pavement.
- Power liftgate – Simply use your key fob to open or close the liftgate. We’re surprised this feature is not standard on all 2022 Honda Pilots.
- Power front passenger seat – The EX-L’s leather-upholstered front passenger seat is 4-way power-adjustable. The driver’s seat also gets 2-position memory.
2022 Honda Pilot Special Edition (starting at $39,660)
The Honda Pilot Special Edition is much like the EX-L, but it has 20-inch alloy wheels in gloss black.
Apart from that, it has a wireless smartphone charger, black roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, and everything else that comes standard on the Pilot EX-L.
As on the Sport and EX-L, AWD is available as a $2,000 option on the Pilot Special Edition.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the Special Edition price brings the total to $40,885. With no money down, financing that amount for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $735 per month. See 2022 Honda Pilot Special Edition models for sale near you
2022 Honda Pilot Special Edition Includes:
- 20-inch alloy wheels – The Pilot Special Edition comes with sharp-looking 20-inch alloy wheels in gloss black.
- Hands-free power liftgate – Swipe your leg under the back bumper to open or close the Pilot Special Edition’s power liftgate.
- Wireless smartphone charger – Simply lay your compatible smartphone on the charging pad each time you’re driving, and the Special Edition will help to take some sting out of having a phone that doesn’t hold its charge.
2022 Honda Pilot TrailSport (starting at $43,560)
This is the new off-road-oriented Pilot, the TrailSport. This new all-wheel-drive Pilot model has been lifted 0.6 inches for extra clearance, and it’s also equipped with rugged tires, leather upholstery with orange stitching, and unique TrailSport badging.
Currently, TrailSport is a trim level, but it eventually will become a sub-brand for other Honda SUVs and trucks that have a dedicated off-road focus.
What else makes the new Pilot TrailSport special? In addition to its 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, it has black roof rails and fender flares, plus a power moonroof, an illuminated front cupholder, and satellite navigation.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the TrailSport base price totals $44,785. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $805. See 2022 Honda Pilot TrailSport models for sale near you
2022 Honda Pilot TrailSport Includes:
- All-wheel drive – AWD is not standard on the Sport or EX-L, but it is on the new Pilot Trailsport, which also benefits from Snow, Sand, and Mud drive mode settings.
- Leather upholstery – The TrailSport’s standard leather interior is complemented by bright orange stitching. Also, look for TrailSport logos on the front seats.
- Special badging – Look at this Pilot’s tailgate and you’ll see a special orange-on-black TrailSport badge.
2022 Honda Pilot Touring (starting at $43,620)
Touring adds a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, a Blu-Ray player, streaming apps, and two sets of wireless headphones.
The other standard content is an upgraded infotainment system with navigation, a 115-volt power outlet, HondaLink capability, Wi-Fi hot spot capability, and CabinTalk.
For whatever reason, Touring loses the wireless phone charger.
In the Touring grade, you have the option of replacing the second-row bench seat with two captain’s chairs for $300.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the Touring base price totals $44,845. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $806. See 2022 Honda Pilot Touring models for sale near you
2022 Honda Pilot Touring Includes:
- Rear-seat entertainment system – A 10.2-inch screen anchors this system featuring a Blu-Ray player, streaming apps, and two sets of wireless headphones.
- HondaLink – Interfacing your Honda vehicle with your smartphone, this app allows you to locate your vehicle, remote start your vehicle, and much more.
- CabinTalk – It allows the driver to communicate with passengers seated in the back. This in-car PA system functions even if the rear-seat passengers are using the entertainment system’s wireless headphones.
2022 Honda Pilot Elite (starting at $49,120)
The Elite adds AWD, second-row captain’s seats, and upgraded perforated leather seating to the Touring standard features.
Wireless phone charging, LED map lights, and a heated steering wheel are included in the price.
Also standard are heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding auto-dimming outboard mirrors, and a panoramic sunroof.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the Pilot Elite base price totals $50,345. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest equals $905 per month. See 2022 Honda Pilot Elite models for sale near you
2022 Honda Pilot Elite Includes:
- AWD – This is Honda’s i-VTM4 system that not only automatically distributes engine torque to both axles as needed but can also transfer that torque across the axles, focusing all that axle’s torque on one wheel.
- Second-row captain’s chairs – Reducing seating capacity from eight to seven, these two individual seats provide all the front seats’ comfort, support, and recline functions.
- Rain-sensing wipers – Sensing when moisture is on the windshield, these wipers automatically engage. They also automatically change speed to compensate for different rates of rainfall.
2022 Honda Pilot Black Edition (starting at $50,620)
This is little more than an appearance package for the Elite grade. It only comes with a black exterior and interior. Additionally, everything chrome on the Elite exterior is black, including the 20-inch wheels.
Red ambient lighting inside replaces the Elite’s blue.
Adding the $1,225 destination fee to the Black Edition base price equals $51,845. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $932 per month. See 2022 Honda Pilot Black Edition models for sale near you
