Best Car Reviews - 2014 Honda Pilot 4WD

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Introduction

The 2014 Honda Pilot 4WD is a three-row, eight-passenger family SUV aimed at buyers who value space, dependable V6 power and all-weather traction. It is a late example of the second-generation Pilot, so it brings a practical, boxy layout rather than a fashion-led crossover shape. Its standout qualities are its roomy cabin, standard V6 engine and useful Variable Torque Management four-wheel-drive system.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2014 Pilot has an upright, squared-off profile that prioritizes passenger room and cargo usability. At approximately 191.4 inches long, 78.5 inches wide and 70.7 inches tall, it is a substantial but manageable family SUV. This was largely a carryover year rather than a redesign, retaining the second-generation model’s broad grille, large glass area, high roofline and practical tailgate.

Boxy body shape maximizes headroom and cargo space.
Available VTM-4 four-wheel-drive system supports slippery-road confidence.
Rear privacy glass and roof rails add family-SUV practicality.
Integrated Class III trailer-hitch provision supports towing equipment.
Available alloy wheels, fog lights and power tailgate enhance higher trims.

Interior and Comfort

The Pilot’s cabin is built around family usability, with three rows of seating for up to eight passengers. The broad dashboard, large controls and tall roof make it feel airy, while the second-row bench slides, reclines and folds to improve access to the third row. Materials are durable rather than luxurious in lower trims, but EX-L and Touring versions add leather upholstery and more premium convenience equipment. Adults will find the first two rows comfortable for long trips; the third row is best suited to children or occasional adult use.

Eight-passenger seating with split-folding second- and third-row benches.
Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard.
Available leather seating, heated front seats and power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Numerous cupholders, storage areas and 12-volt outlets support family travel.
Wide-opening rear doors and a low, usable cargo floor improve everyday access.

Performance and Handling

Every 2014 Honda Pilot uses a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 producing 250 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4WD system is designed for traction on wet, snowy and loose surfaces, not serious low-range off-roading. The ride is comfortable over broken pavement and steering is easy in town, although the tall, heavy body leans in fast corners. An independently tested all-wheel-drive Touring model reached 60 mph in 8.9 seconds. Official 4WD EPA figures are 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined, equivalent to about 13.8, 9.8 and 11.8 L/100 km. The supplied consumption figure of 14.8755 L/100 km is plausible for mixed real-world driving with short trips, traffic or winter use.

3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with 250 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque.
Five-speed automatic transmission and regular gasoline requirement.
VTM-4 four-wheel drive improves traction in poor weather.
Comfort-oriented MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension.
Maximum properly equipped towing capacity can reach 4,500 pounds.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology was competitive for its era but feels dated beside modern SUVs. The standard i-MID system uses an 8-inch information screen and includes a rearview camera with guidelines. Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, Bluetooth audio streaming, USB input and steering-wheel controls were welcome standard features. Higher trims could add navigation and a rear entertainment system, but Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging and modern active driver-assistance features were not available.

Standard 8-inch i-MID display and rearview camera.
Bluetooth calling and audio streaming.
USB audio interface, auxiliary input and available 2 GB music storage.
Standard seven-speaker, 229-watt audio system on LX.
Available navigation and rear-seat DVD entertainment on upper trims.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, an Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, antilock disc brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, daytime running lights and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The 2014 Pilot earned Good ratings from the IIHS in the original moderate-overlap frontal, side, roof-strength and head-restraint tests. However, its driver-side small-overlap frontal result was Poor, an important limitation for used-car shoppers. It does not offer modern automatic emergency braking or lane-centering assistance.

Six airbags, including side-curtain airbags covering all three rows.
Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control.
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes and brake assist.
Rearview camera and tire-pressure monitoring system.
IIHS Good ratings in several traditional crashworthiness tests, but Poor driver-side small-overlap performance.

Pricing and Variants

When new, the 2014 Pilot LX 4WD had a base MSRP of $31,270 in the United States, before destination charges, taxes and options. The lineup included LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trims, with four-wheel drive available across the range. The highest-spec Touring 4WD listed at $41,420. Against rivals such as the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder and Mazda CX-9, the Pilot competed strongly on cabin space, V6 smoothness and straightforward controls, though it trailed newer competitors in fuel economy and advanced safety technology.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Spacious three-row cabin with seating for up to eight people.
Smooth and proven 250-horsepower V6 engine.
Four-wheel drive provides useful poor-weather traction.
Comfortable ride and easy-going highway manners.
Practical cargo space, towing ability and family-friendly storage.

Cons

Fuel use is high by current three-row SUV standards.
Five-speed automatic transmission feels dated and limits efficiency.
Third-row space is tight for regular adult use.
Cabin technology lacks modern smartphone integration and active safety aids.
Poor IIHS small-overlap frontal result is a notable safety concern.

Maintenance and Common Issues

Repair-cost estimates vary by mileage, location and service history; a model-wide RepairPal estimate places average Honda Pilot annual repairs and maintenance at about $542. A pre-purchase inspection is particularly important on an older example. Frequently reported concerns for this model or generation include VCM-related oil consumption or rough running that can foul spark plugs, brake pulsation from worn or warped front rotors, low-beam headlight-harness faults, worn front suspension compliance bushings or control-arm components, and rear-differential groan or binding on tight turns when the 4WD fluid has been neglected. Buyers should also confirm documented timing-belt and water-pump service at the required interval.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.3/10. Design: 7.0/10 for its practical, spacious shape. Comfort: 8.2/10 for its accommodating first and second rows and compliant ride. Performance: 7.2/10 for strong V6 usability but modest efficiency. Technology: 5.8/10 because the infotainment is now dated. Safety: 6.5/10 due to good traditional crash-test results but the weak small-overlap outcome and absence of modern crash-avoidance systems.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly describes the 2014 Pilot as a comfortable, capable family vehicle that can cover high mileage when maintained properly. Satisfaction tends to be strongest among buyers who need passenger capacity, simple controls and winter traction, while criticism focuses on gasoline use, aging technology and costly neglected maintenance on older examples.

Owners frequently praise the roomy cabin and genuinely useful third row for children.
The V6 is generally appreciated for smooth acceleration and confident highway merging.
Many drivers value the sure-footed behavior in snow when fitted with suitable tires.
Fuel economy and road noise are common complaints.
Experienced owners stress service records, especially timing-belt, spark-plug and differential-fluid maintenance.

Best Cars in This Category

2014 Toyota Highlander AWD
2014 Mazda CX-9 AWD
2014 Ford Explorer AWD
2014 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD
2014 Chevrolet Traverse AWD

Summary

The 2014 Honda Pilot 4WD is best for families wanting an uncomplicated, spacious and capable used three-row SUV with V6 power and all-weather confidence. Its practical interior, comfortable ride and towing ability remain appealing, but buyers should accept higher fuel consumption, older technology and a less favorable small-overlap crash result. A well-maintained example with complete service records can still represent solid value for buyers whose priorities are space and utility rather than cutting-edge features.