The Honda Pilot made its debut as a sports utility vehicle in 2003. It was the company's second sports utility vehicle after the Passport, whose body was like a truck. The Pilot has the same engine as that of the Acura MDX, and it has come to fill the gap that the Honda Company's other Sports Utility Vehicle could not meet. The vehicle derives its power from a 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine, and is a four wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle comes in two versions, EX, EX-L and LX. The vehicle can seat eight people, with the last row of seats seating three. The last row of seats can be folded which allows the vehicle to carry extra luggage. In 2005, the engine was upgraded and a system to monitor tire pressure was added. In 2006, the Pilot got a new look, airbags at the side and an all wheel drive system was added.

In 2008, no major changes were made to the Pilot. The vehicle derives its power from a 3.5 liter V6 engine and comes in four versions, Value Package, EX, EX-L and Special Edition. The Value package has replaced the LX. It is equipped with 16 inch tires; glass that protects the passenger's privacy, entry into the vehicle is without keys, a music system with seven speakers, satellite radio and a CD player in the dashboard. The EX has a one touch driver's seat that can be adjusted in eight ways, there's more space inside the vehicle to store luggage and a system that controls temperatures inside the vehicle automatically. The EX-L version gets leather seats, satellite radio, and a choice between a system to navigate the vehicle and a DVD music system in the back. The Honda Pilot Special Edition comes with seats made of cloth, satellite radio and a DVD music system in the back.