What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

Is the Mazda CX-5 expensive to maintain?

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-5

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Pilot if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Mazda CX-5 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-5
Annual maintenance	$542	$447winner
5-year total cost	$2,710	$2,235winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	8%winner
Cargo space	111.8 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$29,990winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-5
RepairPal score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	303.7	106.6winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2014, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%	78.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%	62.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	46%	53.2%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-5
Engine	32.3%	12.8%winner
Electrical	14.7%winner	23.1%
ADAS	11.2%	8.5%winner
Brakes	3.7%winner	7.6%
Suspension	1.3%	—winner
Steering	1.7%winner	2.0%
Fuel system	7.6%	1.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	1.3%winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	14.4%
Airbags	3.5%	1.6%winner
Lighting	—winner	2.5%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-5
Avg annual premium	$2,147	$1,947winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →