2017 Honda Pilot Prices: MSRP vs Dealer Invoice vs True Dealer Cost w/ Holdback

Honda introduced its midsize subcompact SUV to the market in 2002. Dubbed the Pilot, this vehicle comes in an assortment of styles and trims and is priced to be one of the more affordable midsize SUVs available to consumers. Discover what specifications, amenities, and design features it continues to offer as the Pilot enters its 15th year in production.


Key Features

As noted, the 2017 Honda Pilot is a midsize subcompact SUV that comes with either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on the trim. Some of the more noteworthy features found with the 2017 Honda Pilot include:

• front driver, passenger, and side body airbags
• child rear door safety locks
• running daytime lights
• anti-lock brake system (ABS)
• built-in tire pressure monitor
• backup camera

The Pilot comes with a standard 36,000-mile, three-year warranty as well as an unlimited warranty on corrosion. It likewise is made available with a 60,000-mile, five-year drivetrain warranty and 36,000-mile, three-year roadside assistance. 


Style and Trims

As a midsize subcompact SUV, the 2017 Honda Pilot is available with either two-wheel or all-wheel drive depending on the trim. This vehicle comes with four doors as well as a hatchback. It can hold up to eight passengers.

The Pilot has a six-speed automatic transmission and offers 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The two-wheel drive trims for the 2017 Honda Pilot include:

• LX
• EX-L
• Touring
• Honda Sensing EX
• Honda Sensing EX-L
• EX-L with Navigation
• RES EX-L

The all-wheel drive trims are the:

• Elite
• EX
• EX-L
• LX
• Touring
• Honda Sensing EX
• Honda Sensing EX-L
• EX-L with Navigation
• RES EX-L

Pricing for these styles and trim start at $30,595 for the base model two-wheel drive LX to $47,070 for the all-wheel drive Elite. All of the two-wheel and all-wheel drive models come with regular unleaded V-6 or V-9 engines. 


Driving Impressions and Experiences

The 2017 Honda Pilot garners high reviews for its nimble handling and speed. Reviewers note that it is easy to handle in all road and weather conditions and can handle the tightest of turns with ease.

However, it does not offer good visibility for blind spots, and blind spot monitoring is only available with the higher end models like the all-wheel drive Elite. Some reviewers also note that it does not have the acceleration or speed of comparable midsize subcompact SUVs.


Fuel Economy

As a midsize subcompact SUV, the Honda Pilot offers a respectable fuel economy that makes it a budget-friendly choice for car buyers. It gets 19 miles to the gallon for city driving and 27 miles to the gallon on the highway. 

The combined fuel economy for the 2017 Pilot is 22 miles per gallon. It has a fuel tank that can hold 19.5 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline.

How to Calculate The Dealer Cost of a Honda Pilot

Formula for Calculating Dealer Cost:

• Example: Base Honda Pilot invoice price + the dealer Invoice price of all the options + destination - Holdback = Total Dealer Cost.
• What is Holdback? A hidden amount that manufacturers give back to a dealer. It is a percentage of the MSRP or the Invoice price.

Total Dealer Cost - Rebate and Incentive + Taxes / Licensing Fees = True Dealer Cost. (You can get rebates and incentives here)

Note: All Honda Pilot MSRP, invoice and dealer cost dollar figures above are approximate amounts. Prices are subject to change without notice.

A note about rebates: Most rebates are subtracted from the "on the road" figure. In most cases, you can have the rebate if you are arranging your own financing or you are paying cash. If you decide to use the manufacturer’s low interest financing, you do not usually get the rebate. Ask your dealer for details.