22 MPG combined is what you can expect from owning a 2019 Honda Pilot AWD with the 3.5L V6. While you can count on the practicality and reliability of the Pilot, remember it’s still a mid-size SUV designed to haul family and cargo. This isn’t a hybrid, and it’s a workhorse, so its fuel economy is adequate for what it does.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2019 Honda Pilot AWD at 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The lower city figure is due to frequent acceleration and deceleration, stop-and-go traffic, and idling. The Pilot’s weight is a factor, as is the traditional automatic transmission. On the open road, the 26 MPG estimate is more achievable because of consistent speeds and less aggressive use of the throttle. This difference is typical for this type of vehicle. The Pilot’s V6 engine, while reliable, isn’t designed to save fuel. It’s built for dependable power and smooth operation, qualities that are important to families who prioritize safety, space, and Honda’s durability.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2019 Honda Pilot AWD is $2,000. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year using the EPA’s fuel economy estimates (22 MPG combined) and national average fuel prices. Fuel prices change, so your actual annual cost may be higher or lower depending on location and driving. $2,000 might seem like a lot, but consider it when you own a Pilot. Buyers choose the Pilot for its three-row seating, cargo capacity, and all-weather capability, and fuel costs are part of this. Owners often consider this a trade-off for the Pilot’s many uses.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA provides numbers to compare vehicles, real-world fuel economy can change. Driving habits, traffic, terrain, and tire pressure can affect your Pilot’s mileage. Hard acceleration, short trips, and hills will likely reduce your fuel economy from the EPA estimates. But gentle driving, steady highway speeds, and regular maintenance can help you get numbers closer to, or even slightly above, the EPA figures. The Pilot’s all-wheel-drive system is helpful in bad conditions, and it adds weight which slightly increases how much fuel the car uses compared to the front-wheel-drive model.

How it compares

The 2019 Honda Pilot’s fuel economy is about average for its class. A similar Toyota Highlander AWD, for example, gets around 22 MPG combined, similar to the Pilot. The Ford Explorer with its base engine gets around 20 MPG combined. Some competitors, like the Mazda CX-9 with its turbocharged four-cylinder, advertise slightly better numbers, around 23 MPG combined for the AWD version. But these vehicles might not be as good in other areas. The CX-9 is efficient, but doesn’t have the cargo space of the Pilot. The Kia Telluride is a newer vehicle and has similar space and features to the Pilot but gets similar fuel economy around 21 MPG combined. These MPG differences are small, and are less important than things like reliability, resale value, and driving experience. If you are considering other Honda models, it may be helpful to explore PILOT MPG across all years to see if you are willing to accept slight differences in fuel economy for a different model year.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The 2019 Pilot has a smooth and responsive V6 engine. Consistent, moderate acceleration helps you stay out of the high-fuel-consumption range. Avoid sudden bursts of speed in city driving, and watch traffic to minimize braking and accelerating.

Tire pressure affects fuel economy. Check your tires often and inflate them to the pressure on the doorjamb sticker. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and burn more fuel. Use the correct tire inflation to help get good fuel economy.

The Pilot’s automatic transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently. Avoid using manual shift mode unless you need to, as the transmission’s computer usually picks the best gear for fuel economy.

Don’t idle for too long. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern engines restart quickly, and idling uses fuel without moving the car. Only keep the Pilot running when you need to.