2006 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is Honda's largest SUV in the US: a three-row midsize crossover sold continuously since the 2003 model year. Built on a car-like unibody platform rather than a truck frame, it has always emphasized interior space, ride comfort, and everyday usability over off-road ability. Every model year has been powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available, and it competes directly with the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and Kia Telluride.

The Pilot's core appeal is practicality backed by Honda's reputation for reliability and strong resale value, which makes it a fixture on family-hauler shopping lists new and used. Typical buyers are households that need seating for seven or eight, flexible cargo space, and moderate towing capability without stepping up to a full-size SUV. With four generations spanning 2003 to 2026, used examples exist at nearly every price point, and the model's long production run makes year-over-year comparisons especially useful when shopping.

The 2006 model: The original Pilot launched for 2003 as one of the first mainstream three-row SUVs built on a car-like unibody platform, sharing underpinnings with the Odyssey minivan and Acura MDX. It paired a 3.5-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic and offered eight-passenger seating with available VTM-4 four-wheel drive. A 2006 facelift updated styling and equipment mid-cycle.