The 2013 Honda Pilot lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor paint and spark plug issues. At $15,600 to $19,940, it’s a great value for a midsize SUV with enough room for a family.
Is the 2013 Honda Pilot a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2013 is a good year for the Pilot and it deserves a high rating for its reliable engine and versatile interior. Owner reviews praise the handling, room for passengers, and cargo space.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – Interior materials are cheap with a lot of plastic used throughout the cabin, the seats lose comfort as they age, but cargo space is great.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major mechanical issues on the 2013 Pilot. We recommend avoiding models from 2009–2010 due to engine issues, and buying one from 2011–2015 which are all more dependable.
- Performance 7/10 – The standard V6 engine offers average power for a midsize SUV, and the towing capacity is lower than its competitors.
- Safety 7/10 – The Pilot earns an overall 4-star rating in government crash tests with 4-stars in the frontal crash test, and 5-stars for the side impact. There’s a standard rearview camera system.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is average for a midsize SUV at up to 20 MPG, and the 21 gallon gas tank should give owners about 420 miles of range. Gas prices are about $11 higher than average at $246 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The Honda Pilot is similar in price to other midsize SUVs offering a spacious cabin along with good reliability. Finding one for sale with under 100,000 miles is an excellent choice.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Honda Pilot?
- Consumer Reports says the 2013 Pilot offers plenty of space and convenient functionality with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Pilot a 4.2/5 praising the comfortable suspension, but doesn’t like the cheap plastic interior.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Pilot 4.5/5 and enjoy the low ownership costs, but owners don’t like the lack of luxury features.
What Common Problems Does the 2013 Honda Pilot Have?
The common problems on the 2013 Honda Pilot include chipping paint, worn-out spark plugs, and Bluetooth connectivity issues. Overall, these problems are minor compared to other midsize SUVs from 2013, and repair costs are average as well.
Chipping paint is a widespread complaint from owners in the first 70,000 miles. The front bumper, hood, and roof all chip easily as they age. If the paint chips the only way to fix the issue is to repaint the affected areas, at a cost of roughly $1,000 per panel.
Worn out spark plugs show up at around 50,000 miles, which is faster than in a lot of other SUVs. Replacing the spark plugs solves the problem and costs around $350, depending on local labor rates. Some people install upgraded spark plugs which last longer, and cost around $500.
Bluetooth connectivity issues are another problem reported by owners at around 30,000 miles. Deleting all of the connected devices from the stereo system and reconnecting them usually fixes the problem. Some owners have reported replacing the stereo head unit as well, which can cost around $700.
There are 6 recalls, and they are average compared to other SUVs from 2013. The most serious recall only covers 270 vehicles, and is for premature engine piston wear. Honda will replace the pistons to prevent damage in the affected models. All of the other recalls are for air bags, which are common across all makes and models.
How Long Will the 2013 Honda Pilot Last?
A well maintained 2013 Honda Pilot should last around 250,000 miles, which is only around 50,000 miles less than the highly-rated Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are average for a midsize SUV, at $567 per year, according to data from Repair Pal.
Since nearly all used 2013 Honda Pilot models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the brake booster for $550, windshield wiper arms costing $150, and the A/C pressure sensor, which costs $325.
Absolutely amazing reliability. I haven't yet had any problems with it. Drives and operates smoothly, slow or fast speeds.
Yes, no issues. I bought it used at 30000 miles and currently have 60000 miles after 3 years without issue.
It is reliable. I have had to put it in the shop once for a recall, but it was under warranty. I have not had issues since.
It is very reliable and I have never had any problems. I have had only routine maintenance performed on my Honda pilot.
The pilot is a very reliable vehicles, I have only had to complete routine maintenance since purchasing it, I have had no problems with the vehicle.
I haven't have any problems but routine maintenance on my Honda pilot. I find it very reliable, we even took it to the beach over the summer with no issues.
We haven't had any issues with it so far. We like it much better than our old SUV which was not a Honda.
Yes, we keep it properly maintained at our local dealership. No problems. I recommend the Honda Care when purchasing the vehicle
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good in the 2013 Honda Pilot compared to other midsize SUVs from 2013. There’s a standard 8-inch touchscreen stereo with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Safety technology is worse than other SUVs, and the only advanced feature available is a rearview camera.
Is the 2013 Honda Pilot a Good Value?
Yes, the 2013 Honda Pilot is a good value for a midsize SUV. Blue book prices range from $15,600 to $19,940, making it more expensive than a Ford Edge or Hyundai Santa Fe. When new, the price range was $29,520 to $41,270. Depreciation is similar to average, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Honda Pilot?
There are four models of the Pilot offered in 2013, starting with the base LX model and going all the way up to the luxurious Touring.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Power Windows & Locks
- Cruise Control
- Tri-Zone Climate Control
- 8-Inch Stereo Screen
- Rearview Camera
- Bluetooth & USB Connections
- 7-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo
EX is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Fog Lights
- Heated Mirrors
- Power Driver’s Seat
EX-L is a popular choice which adds:
- Leather Seating
- Sunroof
- Power Liftgate
- Heated Front Seats
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Touring is the luxury model and has:
- Premium Leather Seating
- Parking Sensors
- Roof Rails
- 10-Speaker Premium Stereo System
What Engines Come In the Honda Pilot?
The engine found in the 2013 Honda Pilot is an average 3.5L V6 which makes 250 horsepower and gets up to 21 MPG. Performance is worse than average, taking 8.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
The towing capacity is low at 2,000 pounds for the front-wheel-drive model, and 4,500 pounds with the all-wheel-drive variant.
What Colors Does the Honda Pilot Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Honda Pilot?
The 2013 Honda Pilot is decently comfortable for a midsize SUV, with seating for up to 8 people. Owners have reported the seats becoming uncomfortable as the Pilot ages and the foam wears down.
Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin, with plenty of room for adults in all three rows of seating, however, taller adults may find the third row a little cramped.
How Much Storage Space Does the Honda Pilot Have?
Cargo space is great in the 2013 Pilot with enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the third row, 10-12 behind the second, and over 15 with all the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Pilot was introduced in 2009, and replaced by the third generation in 2016.
2011: Navigation available on the EX-L model and rear entertainment system on Touring.
2012: Minor exterior styling changes, more sound isolation, and better interior materials.
2013: More up-to-date electronics including Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
2014: No major changes.
2015: New SE model that fits between EX and EX-L models.
2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with all-new styling and engines.
How Does the Honda Pilot Compare to the Competition?
The Honda Pilot is one of the best budget-friendly midsize SUVs from 2013, offering a good engine, plenty of space, and a nice stereo system for the money.
The Toyota Highlander is a competitor which costs around $1,500 more. Interior materials are nicer in the Toyota Highlander, but the Honda Pilot comes with more standard technology. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it lasts a little longer, however, both are excellent midsize SUVs.
The Ford Explorer is another SUV which costs around $2,000 less. Passenger room is better in the Ford Explorer, whereas the Honda Pilot has more up-to-date features. We recommend the Honda Pilot since they last longer and have lower ownership costs in 2013.
Do Owners Recommend the Honda Pilot?
Yes. I love my pilot. I love how roomy it is and having an AWD vehicle has been a huge blessing during winter months.
Yes, I like that the base model includes features such as Bluetooth, backup camera, steering wheel audio controls. Interior space is plentiful.
Yes, although it is a more compact 3 row vehicle. I have 5 children and it is a little cramped, but has great gas mileage. It drives smooth and I have not had too many problems with it.
Yes it is a very good vehicle. This is the third Honda pilot that I have owned. I will not own any other vehicle but a Honda. It is very reliable, and has the seating configuration that my family needs. It is a great vehicle to take on trips.
Yes it has been very reliable, good on gas for its size, great in the snow, great for beach or moving college student because of cargo space, great for transporting extra passengers, drives well on highway for long drives.
Yes I love my vehicle. It has enough room for my children and drives really well. I also haven't had to do much maintenance on it.
Yes I love it! Great reliable car. Fits all of our needs. Fits 8, good for long car rides. We have a fully loaded touring. My kids love watching movies in the back.
Yes, I like my Honda Pilot. It is reliable and has plenty of room for our family especially on road trips