If you're shopping for a new family SUV, the first issue on your brain is probably how many does the honda pilot seat before you even start looking at the paint colors or the engine specifications. It's a fair question because if you have the big family, or you're the designated carpool parent, every single seat belt matters. The short answer is that the Honda Pilot can seat either 7 or eight individuals, based on which cut level you pick and how a person decide to configure the middle row.
But because anyone who has ever attempted to cram 3 teenagers in to a back again seat knows, just because a car can seat eight doesn't indicate it's going to be an enjoyable time for everyone involved. Let's break down how this seating is proven to work within the real life, due to the fact there's a bit of "choose your own adventure" happening with the current Pilot versions.
Choosing in between the eight-passenger and seven-passenger layouts
For most associated with the Honda Pilot lineup, the standard configuration is a good eight-passenger setup. This particular means you obtain two seats upward front, a three-person bench in the middle, and an additional three-person bench in the long ago. This is the go-to for most family members because, honestly, you never know when you'll need that will extra spot for the friend or the cousin.
However, if you start searching at the higher end trims like the EX-L (which offers it being an option) or the TrailSport, you'll notice things change. These models often swap out there that middle-row bench for two captain's seats . When a person do that, the total seating capability drops to 7.
Exactly why would you need fewer seats? Nicely, it's all regarding comfort and access. Captain's chairs are much much more comfortable with regard to adults or picky teenagers, and these people produce a "center aisle" that makes it way simpler to climb in to the third line without having to fold seats straight down. If you've actually had to move the bulky car seat just to let someone into the back, you'll understand why those captain's chairs are this kind of popular choice.
The clever removable middle seat
One of the coolest things Honda did with the latest generation associated with the Pilot—specifically upon the Touring plus Elite trims—is present a stowable middle seat . This will be a bit of a game-changer regarding people who can't decide between 7 or eight chairs.
In these types of specific trims, the middle row looks like three individual seats. But the middle portion is truly a small, removable seat. If you require to seat 8, you keep it in. If you want that "walk-through" feel of a seven-passenger SUV, you can actually pull that middle seat out entirely.
The best benefit? Honda built a concealed storage compartment underneath the rear valuables floor specifically designed to hold that seat. You don't have got to leave it in your garage and forget where you put it; you just tuck it under the floor and bring it out whenever you understand you have a good extra passenger. It's one of these "why didn't they will think of this sooner? " features.
What's it like sitting in the 3rd row?
Let's be real regarding a second: in most mid-size SUVs, the third row is basically the "kids only" area. In the Pilot, it's actually amazingly decent. Honda stretched the latest edition of the Pilot to become a bit more time, and a good portion of this extra space entered the back.
While it's still not quite as cavernous because a massive Chevy Suburban or the Honda Odyssey minivan, the Pilot's 3rd row can really fit adults for shorter trips. There's enough head-to-ceiling room that you won't feel like you're being folded in to a suitcase. Nevertheless, if you're planning a ten-hour road trip, the tallest users of the loved ones should probably guard the front or middle seats.
The floor in the 3rd row is also somewhat higher than the associated with the vehicle, which means your knees might sit a bit higher compared to you're used in order to. For kids and car-seat-aged toddlers, even though, it's totally good and arguably one of the best in its class.
Getting into and out with no the drama
One thing that often gets ignored when asking how many does the honda pilot seat is how hard it is to really get into individuals seats. Honda uses a "One-Touch" button system on the second-row seats. You simply press a button, and the seat tilts and glides forward automatically.
It's basic enough that most grade-schoolers can do this themselves, which saves you from having in order to get free from the driver's seat every time someone needs to jump in or out there at school drop-off. If you have the seven-passenger design with the captain's chairs, the difference between the seats is wide good enough for the majority of kids in order to just shuffle via without moving something at all.
Child car seats and the LATCH system
In case you have little types, seating capacity is only half the story—you need to know where the car seats go. The Pilot is incredibly generous here. In the eight-passenger variations, you usually get three sets of LATCH connectors in the second row and one or 2 in the third row, depending upon the trim.
The middle seat in the 2nd row is wide enough to really match a car seat, which isn't constantly the case along with competitors. If you're a "three-across" loved ones, you can frequently make money in the Pilot if you have the correct slim-style car chairs. Just keep within mind that placing three car seats in the middle row makes being able to access the third row a bit of a puzzle.
Does seating impact your cargo space?
It's the classic SUV dilemma: the more people you carry, the less stuff you can bring. If you have all eight (or seven) seats in use, the cargo room behind the 3rd row is regarding 18. 6 cu feet. That's more than enough for a decent grocery haul or even a couple of luggage bags, but you aren't fitting the whole hockey team's gear back there while they're just about all in the vehicle.
However, the Pilot is really flexible. Both the second and third rows fold almost flat. If a person only need in order to seat five individuals, you can drop that will third row plus suddenly you possess a massive quantity of room regarding strollers, camping gear, or that random IKEA haul. If you're a DIYer, you'll appreciate that using the seats folded down, a person can actually match some pretty lengthy items in there—just don't expect in order to fit a complete 4x8 sheet associated with plywood perfectly smooth without some creative angling.
Comparing trims: A quick hack sheet
In case you're still confused about which version has which seats, here's a quick breakdown:
- LX and Sports activity: These types of are your standard 8-passenger workhorses. You get the second-row bench, and that's that. No captain's chair options right here.
- EX-L: This really is the flexible a single. It usually provides an 8-seater, but you can find versions along with the 7-passenger captain's chairs if a person prefer the luxury feel.
- TrailSport: This really is the durable, off-road trim. This only comes as a 7-seater along with captain's chairs. The reason why? Because it's built for adventure, plus they assumed you'd want the additional comfort and easier access for gear.
- Visiting and Elite: These are the top-tier versions that feature the "magic" removable center seat. They are usually technically 8-seaters, yet they can turn out to be 7-seaters in about thirty seconds.
Conclusions on Pilot seating
At the end associated with the day, the response to how many does the honda pilot seat depends entirely on how you live your life. If you have three kids and frequently find yourself hauling their friends about, the eight-passenger table is most likely your greatest bet. It's better to have that extra seat and not really need it than in order to need it and be one seat belt short.
Upon the other hands, if you just have two kids and you wish to give them their particular own "territory" therefore they stop poking each other on long drives, the seven-passenger layout with captain's chairs is usually a literal godsend. And if you've got the budget for it, the Touring or Elite decreases with the detachable middle seat give you the best of both worlds.
The Honda Pilot remains 1 of the most popular picks for families for the reason. It doesn't just offer the lot of seats; it offers a lot of usable seats, which is a much bigger deal when you're in fact out there upon the road.