The 2017 Pilot as a family SUV
The 2017 Honda Pilot is the second year of the third-generation redesign (chassis YF6) that Honda introduced for 2016. By 2017 Honda had quietly addressed most of the first-year criticism: the 9-speed automatic (on Touring and Elite trims) got a revised calibration for smoother low-speed shifts, the infotainment received a software update that reduced lag, and interior fit-and-finish tightened up. Most Honda enthusiasts and independent reviewers cite the 2017 Pilot as the sweet spot in the third-generation run — mature enough to be sorted, old enough to be affordable, and pre-dating the styling refresh some buyers dislike from 2019.
The Pilot seats 8 (with a second-row bench) or 7 (with second-row captain's chairs on higher trims). EX-L trim, our review focus, includes leather-trimmed seats, a power moonroof, heated front seats, a power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, and Honda Sensing driver-assist standard. It slots above the LX and EX and below the Touring and Elite.
The J35 V6 — Honda's bulletproof workhorse
Every 2017 Pilot uses the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter J35Y6 V6, producing 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. The J35 architecture is one of the most proven engines in the industry — it also powers the Odyssey, Ridgeline, Passport, MDX, and TLX, and Honda has been building variants of the J-series since 1996. Direct injection, aluminum block and heads, timing belt (not chain — service interval is 100,000 miles or 7 years).
The J35 in the Pilot includes Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which can shut down two or three cylinders during light-load cruising to save fuel. VCM is the most controversial part of the engine — it works, and it saves 1–2 mpg on the highway, but it also has a small but real long-term risk of contributing to oil consumption if not carefully maintained. More on that below.
Real-world MPG in a Pilot EX-L AWD in central PA: 19–22 combined in mixed driving, 25–28 on a steady 65-mph interstate cruise between Lebanon and Baltimore. Not class-leading today (a Palisade Hybrid or a Grand Highlander Hybrid does much better) but reasonable for a genuine 8-passenger AWD SUV that will still be running strong at 200,000 miles.
The 6-speed vs. 9-speed transmission question
This is the part every 2017 Pilot buyer needs to understand. Honda used two different transmissions for the 2017 model year:
- 6-speed automatic — standard on LX, EX, and EX-L trims. Proven, smooth, no controversy.
- 9-speed automatic (ZF-sourced) — standard on Touring and Elite trims. Improved for 2017 but still has quirks.
If you're buying an EX-L, you almost certainly get the 6-speed. That's a good thing — it's the older, simpler, more reliable unit that owners rarely complain about. The 9-speed is only in higher trims and, while much better than the 2016 version, is the transmission that generated most of the negative press.
Long-term reliability data on both units through 100,000+ miles is now solid. Regular ATF service (Honda ATF-DW1 for the 6-speed, ZF Lifeguard-9 for the 9-speed) every 30,000–45,000 miles is the single most important maintenance item for either transmission. Skipping ATF service is how you end up with a shift-flare problem at 120k that could have been prevented for $180.
Interior, seating, and cargo
Third-row access in the Pilot is genuinely easier than the Toyota Highlander of the same era. Honda's one-touch second-row lever, mounted on the outboard side of the captain's chair or the bench, slides and folds the seat forward in one motion — an eight-year-old can operate it. The third row itself is genuinely usable for adults up to about 5'10" on shorter trips, and for kids of any age indefinitely.
All three rows have USB ports, air vents, cup holders, and reading lights. The EX-L's leather seats hold up well; expect visible wear on the driver's outer bolster by 100k, which is normal for any leather vehicle in this price class.
Cargo numbers:
- Behind the third row: 16.5 cubic feet — enough for a full week's groceries.
- Third row folded: 46.8 cubic feet.
- All seats folded: 83.9 cubic feet — bigger than a Highlander, competitive with the class.
The underfloor cargo bin behind the third row (in EX-L and higher) is a genuinely useful hidden storage compartment. It swallows a jump-starter, a first-aid kit, and a pair of jumper cables without eating visible cargo space.
AWD, ground clearance, and Central PA winter capability
The Pilot's Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD is the second-best AWD system Honda has ever built — behind only the SH-AWD in the Acura MDX/RDX. In Lebanon County winter, it just works.
The Pilot's i-VTM4 AWD (on EX-L AWD and higher) is a genuine capability step up from the CR-V's on-demand system. It can send up to 70% of engine torque to the rear axle, and split up to 100% of that between the left and right rear wheels — real torque vectoring. In winter this means the Pilot claws forward from a stopped position on a slick uphill launch rather than spinning the front tires helplessly. There's a Snow mode that dulls throttle response and shifts torque distribution for slippery-surface starts.
Ground clearance is 7.3 inches — good for unplowed county roads through Myerstown, Jonestown, or Fredericksburg. Approach and departure angles are limited (this is a family SUV, not a Wrangler), so don't try to cross a Tucquan Creek washout in it, but for genuine PA winter conditions the Pilot handles what most families throw at it.
Towing and utility
Properly equipped (transmission cooler, factory tow package), the AWD Pilot is rated at 5,000 pounds towing capacity. That's enough for a small camper, jet skis and their trailer, a boat under 20 feet, or an enclosed car trailer with a small car. Front-wheel-drive Pilots are rated at 3,500 pounds only.
Real-world towing observation: the J35 has plenty of low-end torque, but the 6-speed transmission's gearing means you'll hear the engine work between 3,000–4,500 rpm on grades. That's normal and not damaging as long as the transmission cooler is fitted and ATF is serviced on schedule.
Honda Sensing and safety
2017 was the first year Honda Sensing became standard on EX-L. That's adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and road departure mitigation. The system works well on interstate driving between Lebanon and Harrisburg. Adaptive cruise handles stop-and-go traffic on I-83 competently.
The 2017 Pilot earned IIHS Top Safety Pick with the optional front crash prevention (which is standard on EX-L). Frontal crash test rating is Good across the board.
What to inspect on any used 2017 Pilot
- Transmission software updates — verify via VIN check that all Honda technical service bulletins have been completed, especially for 9-speed models.
- ATF service history — the single most important maintenance record. No paper trail is a red flag on a 2017 with 100k+ miles.
- VCM behavior — some owners disable cylinder management with a $200 aftermarket VCMTuner device to prevent long-term oil consumption issues. Check the oil level between changes to see if the engine burns oil.
- Underbody rust — 2017 is now nine years old, and Central PA salt has had time. Check frame rails, subframe crossmembers, and brake and fuel lines. Surface flash rust is normal; perforated or scale rust is a walk-away.
- Timing belt replacement — due at 100,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Budget $900–$1,300 at an independent shop. If not done, discount the offer accordingly.
- Rear seat power folding (Touring/Elite) — verify function.
Value and who should buy
A 2017 Pilot EX-L AWD with 80,000–120,000 miles in central PA typically prices between $18,000 and $23,000 in 2026 — genuinely affordable for a true 8-passenger AWD SUV. This is the price range where CR-V EX-Ls also live, and the choice comes down to whether you need seven or eight seats plus real towing capacity.
Buy the 2017 Pilot EX-L if: you have three or more kids, you regularly haul extended family or a carpool of teenagers, you tow anything up to a small camper, and you value Honda's parts availability and independent-shop knowledge. Skip it if: you drive mostly solo (a CR-V is cheaper to own), you need modern infotainment (2017's system is dated even with CarPlay), or your budget can stretch to a 2019+ Pilot with the refreshed interior and the 9-speed calibration that Honda finally nailed.
Verdict and next step
The 2017 Pilot EX-L is the honest answer for a growing Lebanon-area family that has outgrown the CR-V and doesn't want to pay for a new Palisade. The J35 V6 is bulletproof, the 6-speed automatic in EX-L trims is proven, and the interior packaging holds up nine years later. Its weaknesses — dated infotainment, so-so real-world MPG, and rust exposure typical of a decade-old PA vehicle — are all manageable with proper inspection and honest expectations.
We currently have a 2017 Pilot EX-L on our Lebanon lot. See the full listing, compare it against our best used SUVs under $20k list, browse related reads on RAV4 vs. Highlander, or call (717) 673-1484 to schedule a test drive. Serving Lebanon, Hershey, and central PA families since day one.
