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 Hyundai Tucson expensive to maintain?

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Honda Pilot vs Hyundai Tucson

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 Hyundai Tucson — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Tucson
Annual maintenance	$542	$426winner
5-year total cost	$2,710	$2,130winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	12%winner
Cargo space	111.8 cu ftwinner	80.3 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$31,300winner
Best years to buy	—	2020

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Tucson
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	303.7	284.9winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2011, 2012, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%	76.3%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%	57.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	46%	47.3%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Tucson
Engine	32.3%winner	38.3%
Electrical	14.7%	6.0%winner
ADAS	11.2%	10.5%winner
Brakes	3.7%winner	8.9%
Suspension	1.3%	—winner
Steering	1.7%	0.9%winner
Fuel system	7.6%	2.8%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	0.8%winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%	1.4%winner
Airbags	3.5%	1.4%winner
Lighting	—winner	1.0%

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	Hyundai Tucson
Avg annual premium	$2,147	$1,975winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/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 →