The Honda Pilot is a great choice for drivers looking for a used Honda for sale near Union City. The Pilot is a reliable, family-friendly SUV with three rows of seats and a spacious cargo area, but it's much more than that; it's built for those drawn to adventure and who want to enjoy their share of premium features without breaking the bank. You probably have some questions about what exactly the Pilot offers, and we hope to answer them today with our look into why a pre-owned Pilot is perfect for so many drivers in New Jersey.
Family Matters
The Honda Pilot is ideal for families because it's comfortable, large, and reliable. Your family will spend hours inside the Pilot as you drive from one destination to another, whether it's a ride to school or a family vacation to the gang's favorite spot. The Pilot has room for eight passengers with the second-row bench seat; substituting the bench seat for the available captain's chairs lowers the passenger capacity to seven, but it's worth considering if you'll regularly have two adults in the second row.
Before we discuss the interior amenities of the Pilot, let's explore its passenger and cargo space, both of which are plentiful. Cargo space may differ depending on the model year you buy, but the results are always impressive. The Pilot was most recently redesigned for 2023, and these models provide the most cargo space with up to 21.8 cu.ft. of space with passengers in all three rows, 59.5 cu.ft. of space if you fold down the third row, and then an impressive 111.8 cu.ft. of space if you fold down both rear rows. However, older used models have nearly the same amounts. Ultimately, the Pilot has enough cargo space for family vacations, camping trips, or driving the kids and all their gear to sports practice.
The Honda Pilot's large cabin isn't just great for storing cargo; the driver and all its passengers will be comfortable, as this model is spacious with exceptional headroom and legroom for each row. Looking at the 2023 model year again, you and your front passenger will have 40.5 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom. Passengers in the middle row have an excellent 40.2 inches of headroom and 40.8 inches of legroom. Finally, the third-row measurements are the most impressive because many other three-row SUVs tend to fall short, whereas the Pilot has 39.3 inches of headroom and 32.5 inches of legroom. Nearly three feet of third-row legroom means nobody will be fighting for a second-row seat to avoid sitting in the back!
A Comfortable Ride
Driving a Pilot will get you all around Union City comfortably while having fun. For starters, recent pre-owned Pilot models offer a versatile ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way power-lumbar adjustment. Your front-seat passenger can also enjoy a four-way power-adjustable seat, which they will be grateful to have thanks to it being easier to find the comfort sweet spot. Heated and ventilated front-row seats are available in the higher trims of newer models, and you can even treat your second-row passengers to heated outboard seats, which will keep them warm when winter weather hits.
You should also consider opting for a higher trim if you share your vehicle with a spouse, relative, or roommate because two-position memory is available for the driver's seat and side mirrors. If whoever you're sharing your Pilot with has a vastly different seating position preference than you—or moves your side mirrors just out of your view—then having two memory profiles means you no longer need to tweak everything back to your liking before you hit the road. Simply hit a button, and everything will return to your preferred settings.
Many used Pilot models dating all the way back to the 2009 model year come with tri-zone automatic climate control. This allows you, your front-row passenger, and your second-row passengers to set different preferred temperatures, and the system will automatically keep everyone happy. This means your kids can turn up the heat during a road trip even if you want it colder upfront. A used Pilot will keep you warm during those cold Union City winters and cool during sweltering summers while you relax in seats that feel perfectly molded to your body, thanks to all of these comfort-oriented features.
Connectivity Tech
Unlike comfort features, connectivity technology changes rapidly, so you will want to look for a newer pre-owned model if the latest connectivity options matter to you. While older models offered navigation systems, the 2016 Pilot was the first to offer a modern touchscreen infotainment system with an eight-inch display. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became available for the 2017 model year, but the whole system didn't become a standard feature on every Pilot until the 2022 model year.
The 2023 Pilot redesign introduced an updated infotainment system with a standard seven-inch touchscreen and an optional nine-inch one, complete with physical audio controls. The larger nine-inch infotainment center has several additional features that make it perfect for drivers looking for a modern experience. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM support. There is even an in-car PA system known as CabinTalk, where you no longer need to raise your voice for the passengers in the far back to hear you: simply speak normally, and a microphone will project your voice through the rear speakers.
Recent pre-owned models have several audio options. The lower trims come with seven speakers throughout the cabin and a built-in subwoofer; this creates strong bass you usually don't find on base-level audio systems. You also don't regularly find standard audio systems outputting 240W of power, like the one in the Pilot. Stepping up to the middle trims upgrades you to a 245W system with two additional speakers, bringing the total to nine. The top trims have the best sound system, with 12 high-quality speakers and a subwoofer courtesy of Bose. This sound system was introduced for the 2023 model year on the Touring and Elite trims, so keep your eye out for those options if sound quality is important to you. Before that, the top trims had a 10-speaker sound system that is still impressive even if it is down two speakers.
Solid Performance
Detailing the performance of the Honda Pilot is easy because it's always had a standard 3.5L V6 engine since its debut in 2003. However, that engine has been upgraded over the years, and other aspects of the powertrain have seen even larger improvements. Since the 2023 redesign, every Pilot has provided 285 hp and comes with a modern 10-speed automatic transmission for enhanced power and efficiency. The Pilot is a highly efficient SUV for its size: The 2023 model provides EPA-estimated ratings of 19 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG combined with FWD; models with AWD achieve the same city figure but earn 25 MPG on the highway and 21 MPG combined.[a]
Having stability while driving on complex terrain or in the harsher weather conditions that sometimes hit Union City is a highlight of the Pilot. Front-wheel drive is standard, but Honda's sophisticated i-VTM4 twin-clutch all-wheel drive system is available for the Pilot. This maximizes traction by shifting power between the rear wheels—something very few competing models can do. The i-VTM4 option was first introduced in 2016 for the third-gen Pilot, so you can find an older used model with this tech. Up to seven individually selectable drive modes are also available, including Normal, Econ, Sport, Sand, Snow, Trail, and Tow. These help the Pilot optimize its performance for a large variety of tasks and terrains, making it perfect for adventurous drivers and their families.
Adventure Awaits You!
We've covered many great elements of a used Honda Pilot, but we've only scratched the surface. Not only are there far more great features we haven't had room to cover, but this SUV has been around for over 20 years now, and you aren't limited to just the model years we've examined today. No matter which used model you choose, Honda is a reliable automotive brand, and the Pilot makes for a savvy ride for Union City drivers. Your family will be in for the adventure of a lifetime if you bring home a Pilot—and when adventure calls, you and your loved ones should be the first in the line to answer it.