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 Volkswagen Tiguan expensive to maintain?

The Tiguan costs $730/year to maintain — $209 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 92% means statistically, nearly every Tiguan owner makes at least one unscheduled shop visit per year — roughly three times the compact class average of 30%. Reliability score of 6 is well below the class average of 8. It is the highest-maintenance model in the compact segment by a wide margin.

What is the best year for a Volkswagen Tiguan?

The 2025 Tiguan (31 complaints, 10/10 safety, 1 severe) is the best on record. The 2023-2025 window shows meaningful improvement. Avoid 2018 (274 complaints) and 2022 (234 complaints), which coincide with generation transitions. For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Volkswagen Tiguan insurance cost?

Tiguan insurance averages around $2,004/year — about $167/month. Competitive for the compact class, despite significantly higher maintenance costs.

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V is cheaper to maintain by $323/year — $407 versus $730 for the Tiguan, roughly $1,615 in savings over five years. The CR-V also has a significantly higher reliability score (9 vs. 6) and a repair frequency of 30% versus 92%. The maintenance cost gap between these two is among the largest in the compact class.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Volkswagen Tiguan?

A repair frequency of 92% — the highest of any compact SUV — combined with a reliability score of 6 makes extended warranty coverage a strong recommendation, particularly for used models. The probability of an unscheduled repair in any given year is nearly a statistical certainty; warranty coverage helps control what those visits cost.

Honda Pilot vs Volkswagen Tiguan

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Pilot — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Volkswagen Tiguan if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Volkswagen Tiguan
Annual maintenance	$542winner	$730
5-year total cost	$2,710winner	$3,650
Reliability score	7 / 10winner	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	12%winner
Cargo space	111.8 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$32,200winner
Best years to buy	—	2010

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Volkswagen Tiguan
RepairPal score	7 / 10winner	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	303.7	183.9winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2018, 2022
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%winner	71.9%
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%winner	55.8%
Value retained · 7 yr	46%winner	43.6%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Volkswagen Tiguan
Engine	32.3%	29.0%winner
Electrical	14.7%	10.6%winner
ADAS	11.2%winner	12.5%
Brakes	3.7%winner	3.8%
Suspension	1.3%	—winner
Steering	1.7%winner	3.6%
Fuel system	7.6%	3.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	—winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	2.8%
Airbags	3.5%winner	10.8%
Lighting	—winner	2.8%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.8%

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	Volkswagen Tiguan
Avg annual premium	$2,147	$2,004winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Volkswagen Tiguan

$730/yr maint · 6 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 →