2020 Honda Pilot | Three Rows and a V6
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- Опубліковано 29 січ 2025
- We review the 2020 Honda Pilot Elite. With the new Black Edition being launched this is a good time to discuss one of the most popular three-row SUVs on the market. With the Kia Telluride, VW Atlas and Mazda CX9 trying to compete for the money of shoppers we needed to show the good and bad of this Honda. There are a ton of cars and trucks on the market but finding the best one is always difficult.
"I can't reach the screen, even with my long john in my hand"
I feel like to keep the interior segments interesting for himself he has to meme a little. Like the seat back hitting him reaction. 😫
How am I suppose to switch videos to make my john longer?
single hander or double?
Ah, Eclairs. Love 'em!
Insert 'That's what she said!'
Savagegeese is one of the best things on youtube.
One?
He is the best thing on UA-cam
On life in general best thing since sliced bread
Man I watch every video. I can't afford 80% of the cars they review. And of the 20% I can afford, only about 5% are things I might one day purchase. But that's not the point. It's a joy to watch the 2 Patagonia boys hang out, joke around, and teach us about the vehicles and the market in general. And the videography is pure gold.
Such genuine small touches in your videos that parents can love as well, especially the sweet moment to your kids in the back at 4:28.
You're a better reviewer than Doug.
Review an Evo X
This really isn't the highest praise you could sing. "You're better at reviewing cars than a guy with no driving experience outside of commuting, who sticks a samsung s5 in a vent mount and films himself rambling about the car's owner manual for 20 minutes."
"You're a better reviewer than Doug" -- My cat is a better reviewer than Doug.
WTF! The Savagegeese is the best reviewer on earth! After our world is long gone, when the aliens come, they will know of him.
Low bar to reach.
Doug's editing alone is like a 5th grader using imovie or windows movie maker. Mark's cinematography and editing is professional level with amazing details. Doug can't even clip his correctly.
Oh my goodness I thought you put that engine note in as a joke! That came from a Honda Pilot???
I know right, it is quite something. Imagine short shifting the thing when you get your kids to school then when you drop them off you floor it and V-tec kicks in! Just a shame the transmission doesn't let it rev out higher because it obviously has more juice in it up top.
I guess he had a mic in the exhaust?
The stock exhaust note from Honda/Acura V6's are beautiful... Just wait until you put a J-pipe and some minor exhaust tweaks to open her up! I drove a 16' Odyssey Elite, for two years, that had what I believe is the same motor as the pilot and it honestly is amazing and fun. For a large SUV in the case of the pilot it really is beautiful and goddamn do I miss that mini-van.
TheCookiemonster0430 my 2010 Odyssey Touring kicks in like this too.
VTEC!!!
More hilarious Easter eggs - it is now the savage trademark adding another dimension to car reviews. Love the fact as a creator you're like "I cant talk about another Honda interior and my audience dosent want to hear it either, so, im going keep it interesting to me and them by doing this random bit." Thanks Mark.
Save 10 grand and get the EX-L Pilot. There's only a few things that differ from the EX-L and the Touring/Elite/Black Edition. You get the better (IMHO) 6-speed auto. You don't get: rear heated seats, front ventilated seats, rear entertainment, foot activated rear hatch, or 20 inch wheels. But you still get everything else including the option of the AWD system. You can do a lot with $10K in savings.
Extremely accurate. EXL is the best trim for value.
You also don’t get cabin talk or cabin watch
You've become my favorite auto review channel. Your review style, pace, editing style, and the way you segment each video is top notch.
Mom just bought a 2020 Elite used, drove it home, got it warm and gave the pedal a shove.
Damn. Especially if you get the engine downshifted with the paddles in advance.
Drive an AP2 S2000 and I didn't expect this to be one of Honda's faster current models.
I will never ever own something like this but I watch anyway because of you.
You are not missing anything with the Pilot as it last in the segment.
www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-3-row-suv-for-2020-414309/
Seriously dude. How do you not have a million subscribers by now? Your reviews are excellent and bring some life to average cars. Keep up with the average cars too. Anyone can make an exotic car review interesting but it takes talent to make cars like the Honda Pilot must see tv.
The best review I’ve ever seen. Most of the reviews only covers cosmetics like interiors, exteriors and techs, but this one tells you the cons and things that your dealer doesn’t want you to know. Good job you just earned a subscriber today.
I thought that Doug Demuro guy had good car reviews....until I found this channel. Wow. Very informative on mainstream cars I actually can afford (no exotics).
Agreed. I am liking geese better. Plus I now want a donut. 🍩
As the driver and owner of a 2011 Maybach, I genuinely find the Pilot very compelling to purchase. Also, having two cup holders by each rear door makes sense as you can put your drink in one and your cell phone/keys in the other.
Great review. We just purchased a 2021 Pilot SE fwd and love it. It's our first non truck frame suv. We love the drivability the park ability and fuel economy for a suv of this size.
How has the 9 speed transmission held up?
I appreciate this thorough and practical review. Haven't found any other 2020 Pilot reviews that come close to being as in-depth as this.
When you floored it, the sound reminded me of Bullitt as McQueen raced through the streets of San Francisco.
This Honda has a better 0-60 time in real world driving than either of those Bullitt car chase cars. LOL
I hear the vtec!
yo!
It's a beautiful thing hearing Honda's VTEC
VTEC kick in yo
piped in through the speakers...fake sound
@@OffTheBeatenPath_ its not lmfao
Why did I watch a video of a vehicle that I have no interest in buying and 9 minutes of ads for products I wouldn’t buy? Because savagegeese makes such high quality videos it’s always worth my time and I watch the ads in full to help. I wish I could give more than 1 thumbs up. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
That V6 actually does sound good!
Your content is so good, i feel like I have to watch your review even if i hate SUVs haha
"I can't touch the screen even with my long john in my hand." #truth
I love the way this car drives for its size. The engine is very nice. I didn't really find much as fault with the transmission as you did. It's not the sharpest, smoothest, or fastest shifting transmission but I find no fault with it for my driving. The interior is simple and I find the tech easy to use. The interior doesn't feel overly cheap and provides good comfort.
Love the intro! Freakin’ hilarious!
Can’t believe you don’t have 1M subscribers.
My favorite car channel!
Two cup holders in the back are perfect for my Four-Loko addiction!
Great video, Mark! I like all of your reviews. This vid is more like your older ones, which are my faves. Keep up the good work.
That’s SavageGeese’s name? Wow nobody knows that! Should be a pinned comment!
Thoughts on this Pilot vs the Highlander? One downside to the Honda J series is use of a timing belt for expensive maintenance later vs. a timing chain.
Drug cartels have no idea how fast and “purposeful” these Pilot are.
the acceleration sounds great on it
even with 9 speeds and shifting at red line, it drops out of vtec range for the next gear?
Yeah the gearing is probably ridonkulously tall
Yeah, WTF was that about?
@@BarnStangz emissions
and maybe V-TEC marketeering
that way you can hear that beautiful crossover in every gear lol
I've been told it's for gas mileage. If u look at the epa estimate there's a huge gap between city and highway. Definitely the work of the tall gearing.
Those driving POV shots are magnificent.
Think the newer VCM j35's oil consumption has been fixed. Like the 2013+ Accord v6's
zero problem with mine. VCM works solid and will get you those highway mpg's that rival turbo 4's.
My 2015 accord V6 has 113k mikes and doesn’t burn a drop of oil
Great video! I hear points that I don't hear on the other reviews. Extremely helpful.
Honda might as well just applied a lift to the Odyssey to create the Pilot - same formula Subaru used to produce the Crosstrek.
Crosstrek is smaller inside than the Impreza
Pilot is smaller inside than the Odyssey. Both in the third row (little difference) and behind the third row (big difference, like 2:1).
Honda sales are in downfall and slipping now... I would never buy a SUV disguised minivan Honda for any reason! Honda is just another car maker greed for their market share and profits with their brands and I hate that!!!!!
Would you guys rather take the pilot or the passport?
probably passport since I can go to about any country with it, if I take the pilot I gotta feed him and pay him
neither, the Odyssey
Passport.
Feels like both 2020 Passport and Pilot are “no frills” SUV’s. Hard to decide with all the new competition.
@@kyrosmike underrated joke
Ill never get tired of that sound, ever
With how shitty the gearbox is it will be tiring.
Have a 2019. The seats do break in well over time. Added aftermarket j pipe, custom 2.5 exhaust with Helmholtz resonator, capped off the resonator in the intake airbox, disabled VCM, auto SS and added a catch can to help with carbon. Not for everyone but the sounds it makes above 4k, especially 5.5k bring joy to a family hauler. I think it'll hold up well like the old ones. The 9sp is better without VCM and a throttle remap, but realistically people will drive it factory stock. Enthusiasts know though...
I am waiting for my S-VCM to arrive for my EX-L 21 AWD.
Please do a review of the the 2020 Subaru WRX STI as a celebration of the last EJ20 motor STI before its axed. Thanks
From someone knows cars this review is one of the best I ever seen . thanks
Even in 2020 stop at the EX-L trim to avoid that 9 speed.
The only problem is the car is much slower and drives worse with the 6 speed. The 9 speed ain't perfect but if u look at the 0-60 times and drive both for yourself it's a night and day difference.
I have the 6 speed in my Ridgeline and its always in the right gear. Very quick for a small truck
Why has the Odyssey moved to the new Honda designed and built 10 speed transmission but the Pilot has not?
The 10 speed raised the tow rating over the 9 speed when both transmissions were available in 2019 Odysseys.
@@csh000 not built for the awd system i think
@@dbman992 Acura uses the new transmission in their AWD crossovers. But if that was an issue, FWD Pilots should get the option of the better transmission.
Dude - you're at your best when you keep the reviews like this
Big beautiful V6 in a world of tiny 4-cyl in huge SUVs. Feels good
Thanks!
I love your videos so much i still watch them even after i found my new car
J C 😂🥰
The PassPort is even better if you don’t need the 3rd row. I was hoping you would do a PP review over this Pilot. Great review either way!
Did you find any benefit switching between Eco and not Eco for shifting behavior? I ask because I have a Ridgeline with the 5 speed auto, and I find the throttle mapping and gear shift behavior to be better balanced with Eco mode on but less linear and aggressive with Eco off. The ZF 9 speed is in the alternate chassis. I haven't gotten to drive one yet, so I'm curious if it has similar variation with Eco on or off. I personally feel spoiled by Subaru's CVT. I had a Legacy 3.6R prior to switching to a Ridgeline. The CVT is great thing, underappreciated by those new to it, and missed by those letting it go for any traditional automatic. I also really, REALLY like bigger engines with CVTs, and I think that's the biggest shortcoming of modern CVT equipped vehicles. They're just annoying when paired with small engines, but they're really good with bigger engines. I'd be super curious to see Honda move to a CVT in these vehicles instead.
I've been quite content with my Ridgeline. I'm really impressed by the ride, comfort, and it handles quite well for a big vehicle with the snazzy rear diff setup. I'm just starting to play with it in snow, and both the ABS and traction control programming is good with strong focus towards stability over uneven grip. Coming from a long use of Subarus, these systems feel more modern and finely tuned. I can have half the truck on snow and the other half on dry asphalt, and I can both slam on the brakes to a stop and floor it afterwards, and the thing just tracks straight with extremely minimal variance. I'm still waiting for deeper snow, for the light amount I've been on, the system seems to function quickly and smoothly. I think the rear diff adds a lot to the vehicles ability and even handling prowess, to the point it can fully dial out understeer and just start transitioning into oversteer under heavily throttle, which is surprising in a fully stock configuration. Coming from understeer heavy Subarus(except the BRZ), it's unusual not having to put a bigger rear sway and front camber and caster to get the thing closer to neutral.
The only thing I don't like is the transmission. I can't like any automatic after using a well programmed CVT. Honda, if you're reading, seriously look at Subaru's Legacy/Outback H6 paired to their CVT. It's so much better than any auto you're putting in your vehicles. Both the responsiveness and linearity of torque delivery at any increment of the throttle pedal is vastly better. Also, I'm a fan of how Subaru did the "predicative" ratios. They simply went by throttle pedal angle. You stab the gas, and the CVT adjusts way down immediately, matching or slightly outpacing the engine rev change. Power delivery was almost always at just the right spot as fast as the engine could rev. It was super intuitive and highly responsive. It allowed the car to be driven hard and in more aggressive ways where one could actually rely on accurate power delivery and corrections to that delivery. Standard automatics are nowhere near this good, not a single one. Every day I know my Ridgeline and that Pilot could be better with a CVT. I say this as a manual guy, grew up on manuals, race manuals, and if the Ridgeline had a manual option I'd own it. CVTs are awesome. They are the most ideal transmission...although...often the engine and the torque converter its paired to introduces problems and annoyances. A well tuned CVT is frickin' amazing though. However, for the love of god, pair them with bigger engines. Almost no one sticks them with V6s and V8s. This is the only reason CVTs aren't loved already.
That v-tec switchover is wild
That crooked sticker on the drivers side window really gets to me
Cannot be unseen
@@DirkMcGurkin Have seen the rear passenger door panel gaps? Rear hatch gap? I can stick my pinky finger in there as we walk by in the parking lot. Drives my wife crazy!
Lol yupp
This is so Fing funny. Your commentary is always spot on 👍🏼
I'd like to see a Honda Passport review plz. Love your work Savagegeese!
SavageGeese could you talk about why a 50/50 weight distribution in sports cars is important? I was actually reading that it is not as important as many make it sound, but well towards the middle or bottom of the list. Stuff like center of mass and suspension design/geometry/blah, etc. is much more important. Also, open-wheel race cars are typically 40/60 (rear-biased) weight distribution. Hope you can talk about that some time and maybe some other misconceptions?
we have the 2016 pilot and its so fun to hear the vtec crossover and it sounds pretty good for a honda SUV lol
when did honda add the cylinder deactivation? id like to avoid it is possible or find out how to turn it off
Every other car reviewers recommended Telluride and Palisade, they are the top two in the class. It is interesting to hear from you recommend the Pilot. VTEC sounds very good.
If you want to feel you're in a more sporty and powerful SUV.
He says if you just want to drive around on a rolling sofa, get the KIA/ Hyundai
Great review as always!
What do you think about the Honda Passport VS. Grand Cherokee for a small family?
that J series is NO JOKE! Love hearing that VTEC crossover, on a minivan on stilts no less! I thought the same thing when I tested the Odyssey last year
It sounds bad
As weird as this sounds.... You should have bit into a fresh eclair for each take.... Just to see if anyone would notice it. Now I'm going to watch the rest. Just got my 2020 Pilot Touring 8 seater AWD yesterday.... But still I love watching good content by good creators. THANKS!
When are you going to review the Passport?
That beginning part about the washer fluid is what kept me here. Entertaining and informative.🤣
You're a master of your craft. You Crack me up while being informative to the layman. I hope the Chicago fleet picks up so you can get to the fun stuff too 😉
They've made the rear knuckles aliminium, why not do the same to the front ones?
Wait did he just give the finger at 4:30 ??
Savage is in the name.
hyun keun Kwon HAHA I noticed that too
I hear if you ask nicely he'll give two.
SIT DOWN YOU LITTLE SHITS
Honda being 'engine-centric,' did you ask them what they did to avoid carbon build-up on the valves with their DI?
All DI's have same issue and more likely manufactures will never give rat's ass about it bc by the time carbon buildup gives you problems it would've been way past any warranties and the vehicle would've become 3rd-4th hand car. DI is one of the easiest ways to meet these ridiculous MPG and smog demands and I don't see that changing anytime soon. If you are really concerned, install a oil catch can, and/unplug egr. That's the best you can do for now
I never have carbon build up but I drive the hell out of my cars
@ I did a brief search on Mazda and carbon build-up and it looks like you're right. Not many complaints although I am not sure how they avoid it.
Toyota/Lexus has the D4-S dual injection system (port and DI) first seen on the Scion fr-s/BRZ, if I’m not mistaken.
The port injection helps clean the valves from the carbon deposits of the DI.
I also read somewhere that there is also a « self cleaning » cycle that activates when on idle specifically to clean any buildup left from the DI.
@@JohnSmith-tc9ez Yes, the Toyota system may be the Cat's Meow. Not sure how Mazda does it though.
Deserves so many more subscribers. Best car channel on youtube by a mile
I used to NOT have a car & I would watch car reviews all day, But now I have a car & I still watch car videos all day lolllll
I have read that the 9sp is still a better option to get over the 6sp though? Can anyone who's had both comment
Great, honest opinion, I like that you can weigh options and see pro's and con's from different perspectives.
The hardware for the 9 speed ZF is one of the best. I have the ZFs in the X5 and Q7 and both of those cars ride well.
The software can use some work.
The paddles do serve a purpose if you travel in hilly areas. When you take away the gear shift stick you can't use that to force a downshift, and you need some way to force a lower gear on a long steep downhill run. We have a Honda Jazz/Fit with a CVT, and that seems to sometimes detect that the car is going downhill and adjust the CVT accordingly. However, most of the time I find I need to use the paddles to force the CVT, or I'd be on the brakes hard the whole way down...... and family cars really don't like you being on the brake for very long.
That's the only thing they are good for.
@@savagegeese Maybe if they improved the tilt sensing they could make these gearboxes automatically deal with steep decent properly, and the paddles would be truly redundant.
@@savagegeese Love My Honda Pilot. 🥳
Did you get a chance to drive the lower trim levels with the 6-spd transmission?
Honda really worked some of their magic with these cars, they are far more fun and hoonable than any 3 row should be
A swing and a miss...
www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-3-row-suv-for-2020-414309/
VCMTUNER II. Disable cylinder deactivation/ECO mode. Best mod for these vehicles.
LOL this review had so much whimsy - loved it!
Love the little easter egg of Brilliance Honda never putting wiper fluid in after maintenance
you are one of the few that put the pilot in the right place in the ranking
shutting down cylinders has proven to be a cam-destroying proposition in some approaches; I don't want that feature, also did they fix the speed sensor getting chopped in half when the transmission gets old?
11:46 is my favorite part of this video. Fast and the Furious SUV with VTEC and soo many gears! Good Times!
Man that V6 V-tech sounds good. I have the new ridgeline with the 6 speed ( better box) and it's a darn good set up.
VTEC*
Yes, but too bad they botched it on the gear ratio so it always goes out of VTEC when it shifts.
I drive the TLX and a Macan. When you switch cars the transmission makes such a big difference to the car.
Would this be your choice if you were pulling a 3000 pound camper. Don't really want an suv. I'm civic type person. But I would love to buy a casita camper. Wife will not drive a truck so suv or is. Thought about the grand cherokee, but the reliability sucks. What would your final thoughts on that.
Oh by the way I have 210000 on my 07 civic and it doesn't burn or leak any fluid at all!
I did put a float switch in the anti freeze reservoir in case the engine cracks and begins to seep out. Ran it to a relay which in turn lights up a red led light in the cabin. Got it off amazon from a bmw.
Anyway love the vids keep em coming.
4runner
If you live at altitude such as Colorado would a turbo based engine not be a better option?
Love when they do cars I actually can afford great video
Now they just need to put the V6 in a coupe... even if it is an Acura it would sell so well.
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Anyone who eats a long john while making a video is alright by me. Count me subscribed. Nice review!
Hey Savagegeese, the ridgeline get this ZF 9 speed this year. My guess the powertrain will behave similarly to this pilot
9:37 damn that sounds incredible!
Roger Maxwell I’m hoping it was just a microphone issue maybe with where he placed it.
@@BakeOvens calm down, its just mic picking up noises
Did Honda resolve the issues with the transmissions (9 speed ZF iirc) on the top trim models?
Been going on for sometime now...www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/pilot/2019/2019-honda-pilot-first-drive-review/
Engine sound sounds terrible. Where was the mic placed? In the engine compartment?
My 2016 pilot is almost the same thing. Thanks Honda for not drastically changing the pilot.
See that you mentioned the slow down shift. Were you in sport mode? Other than that great video, and that vtec crossover noise is the reason I owned one of these Pilot.
Considering one of these.. as well as all the other favorites out there.. Would you get the new 2021 with the 9 speed (EX-L our Special Edition) or go with an older 2019/2020 EX-L that comes with the 6 speed. The one thing I like about honda is the ability to get memory seating.. without having to get the highest trim. I hate that about Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, etc.. Hoping.. Honda just puts the 10-speed in the 2022 revision. That would make things a little easier.
Great comparisons at the end! For this type of vehicle, I would prefer a sofa on wheels.
Hi Savagegeese! Which one would you pick, this one or the Durango r/t?
VTEC 😎
So it burns oil? I want to buy one but can the PCV be reprogrammed?
I’ve been waiting for you to drive that ZF 9 speed. So now people know not only chrysler has issues with it. Thanks. 😎
Watching this video makes me feel like I'm playing Gran Turismo all over again
Great video! you've quickly become my goto (and favorite) youtuber reveiwer. Cheers!
Solid review. Interesting to see back storage withe 3rd row down is tighter/smaller than Passport, despite larger frame/footprint.