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 Mitsubishi Outlander expensive to maintain?

The Outlander costs $519/year to maintain — $2 below the compact segment average of $521, an essentially negligible difference. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% are both at segment averages. Solid average-cost ownership with slightly better repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2025 Outlander (13 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the cleanest year in the model's history. The 2023-2025 window represents the settled third generation. Avoid 2015 (231 complaints) and 2022 (206 complaints — new generation launch year). For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Mitsubishi Outlander insurance cost?

Outlander insurance averages around $2,676/year — roughly $223/month. This is notably above average for a compact SUV and the highest insurance rate in the compact class, likely reflecting parts availability and repair costs for a lower-volume brand.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $90/year cheaper — $429 versus $519 for the Outlander, about $450 in savings over five years. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The RAV4 holds a clear maintenance cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Major repair probability and reliability are both at class average, and repair frequency is below it. The outsized insurance premium already adds meaningfully to total ownership cost — factor that before adding extended warranty cost. For 2023+ models, warranty coverage isn't strongly warranted.

Honda Pilot vs Mitsubishi Outlander

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 Mitsubishi Outlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual maintenance	$542	$519winner
5-year total cost	$2,710	$2,595winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	11%winner
Cargo space	111.8 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$29,995winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Mitsubishi Outlander
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	303.7	278.2winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2014, 2015, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%winner	72.4%
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%winner	52.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	46%winner	41.5%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine	32.3%	14.5%winner
Electrical	14.7%	7.6%winner
ADAS	11.2%	10.2%winner
Brakes	3.7%winner	7.5%
Suspension	1.3%winner	2.7%
Steering	1.7%winner	2.5%
Fuel system	7.6%	2.5%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	4.2%
Airbags	3.5%winner	9.3%

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	Mitsubishi Outlander
Avg annual premium	$2,147winner	$2,676

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mitsubishi Outlander

$519/yr maint · 8 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 →