The 2024 Honda Pilot with all-wheel drive in Touring, Elite, or Black Edition trims, all equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine, gets 21 MPG combined. While this isn’t the most fuel-efficient SUV, it’s a reasonable trade-off considering the spaciousness, capability, and Honda dependability it offers to families who need it for long road trips, weekend sports, and confidence in various weather conditions.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2024 Honda Pilot AWD will achieve 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The city MPG reflects the challenges of stop-and-go traffic, where the Pilot’s weight and naturally aspirated V6 engine work harder. However, the highway MPG is more easily attainable during steady cruising, especially when using the Pilot’s Eco mode to save gas by reducing throttle response.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Honda Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black Edition is $2,100. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year using a national average fuel price. Individual fuel costs will vary with driving habits, local fuel prices, and the percentage of city versus highway driving. Still, the $2,100 estimate is a useful baseline for understanding potential fuel expenses. Buyers should weigh this cost against the vehicle’s utility and their personal budget.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are helpful, but real-world fuel economy often differs. Those who regularly haul cargo, frequently all-wheel drive in snow or off-road, or drive aggressively can expect lower MPG than the estimates.

On the other hand, someone who accelerates smoothly, drives mostly on the highway, and maintains their vehicle well may see results closer to, or even slightly above, the EPA numbers. How much real-world mileage varies depends on driving habits and conditions.

How it compares

In the three-row SUV segment, fuel economy is very important. For example, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets much better fuel economy, an EPA-estimated 36 MPG combined. But, it uses a hybrid powertrain, which involves tradeoffs in performance and initial cost. A V6-equipped Kia Telluride gets a similar 20 MPG combined, placing the Pilot in the same range as its competitors. Even the Ford Explorer, with a range of engines, nets only 21 MPG combined with its standard 2.3L ecoboost engine. See all Honda fuel economy data to compare a wider range of Honda models.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Using “ECON” mode is a simple way to reduce fuel consumption in the Pilot. This mode changes throttle response and shift patterns to prioritize fuel efficiency over acceleration. The difference may seem small, but using ECON mode consistently can lead to savings over time.

Proper tire inflation is critical for good fuel economy. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and consume more fuel. Regularly check tire pressures and inflate them to the levels on the doorjamb sticker.

Avoid accelerating quickly and braking hard, as these habits significantly reduce fuel economy. Anticipate traffic and maintain a smooth, steady pace when possible. Gentle acceleration and gradual braking improve fuel efficiency and driving comfort.

Reduce weight in the vehicle. Carrying a lot of cargo puts extra stress on the engine, which hurts fuel consumption. Remove items you don’t need for daily driving to lighten the load. Before a long road trip, find PILOT MPG across all years to compare how it may vary based on load.

Regular maintenance is important for maximizing fuel efficiency. Make sure the engine is tuned, the air filter is clean, and fluids are at the right levels. Fixing small maintenance issues early on can prevent significant problems that affect fuel economy.