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 Subaru Forester expensive to maintain?

The Forester costs $632/year to maintain — $111 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8, and major repair probability of 13% is above the 11% norm. It trails the compact class average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Subaru Forester?

The 2024 Forester (28 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the standout year — the best on record. Avoid 2014 (402 complaints, 53 severe) and 2018-2019 (483 and 831 complaints respectively), which coincide with documented engine oil consumption and EyeSight recall issues. The 2022-2024 window shows significant improvement.

How much does Subaru Forester insurance cost?

Forester insurance averages about $2,035/year — roughly $170/month.

Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $203/year cheaper — $429 versus $632 for the Forester, over $1,000 in savings over five years. The RAV4 also has higher reliability (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (10% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (26% vs. 37%). The RAV4 has a significant advantage on every maintenance metric.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Forester?

Reliability score of 7, major repair probability of 13%, and repair frequency of 37% — all above the compact class average — make extended warranty worth considering, particularly for 2014-2019 models with severe documented complaint spikes. For 2022 and newer, the risk profile improves substantially but still trails the class average.

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Forester

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Pilot to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Subaru Forester if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Subaru Forester
Annual maintenance	$542winner	$632
5-year total cost	$2,710winner	$3,160
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	13%
Cargo space	111.8 cu ftwinner	74.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$29,600winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Subaru Forester
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	303.7	162.9winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2013, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%	86.9%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%	67.5%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	46%	54.4%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Subaru Forester
Engine	32.3%	13.3%winner
Electrical	14.7%	8.0%winner
ADAS	11.2%	10.6%winner
Brakes	3.7%winner	3.8%
Suspension	1.3%winner	4.2%
Steering	1.7%winner	1.8%
Fuel system	7.6%	1.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	24.4%
Airbags	3.5%winner	10.4%

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	Subaru Forester
Avg annual premium	$2,147	$2,035winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Forester

$632/yr maint · 7 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 →