The oldest Honda Pilot is the 2003 model year, the first year of production for Honda's mid-size SUV.
Honda introduced the Pilot as a 2003 model year vehicle, with development in the late 1990s and an early-2000s rollout that culminated in a 2002 release in U.S. showrooms. Since then, the Pilot has evolved through four generations, with new generations arriving roughly every eight to nine years: 2009, 2016, and 2023.
Generations at a glance
Below is a concise timeline of the Pilot's generations and the earliest model year for each generation.
- First generation: 2003–2008 model years (earliest model year 2003; released in 2002)
- Second generation: 2009–2015 model years (earliest model year 2009)
- Third generation: 2016–2022 model years (earliest model year 2016)
- Fourth generation: 2023–present model years (earliest model year 2023)
Note: In U.S. practice, model years are typically announced and released in the preceding calendar year.
Why the oldest year matters
The 2003 Pilot marks the launch of Honda's three-row SUV line, setting the template for seating, cargo flexibility, and overall packaging that has driven the model through subsequent design updates and technology upgrades.
Summary: The oldest Honda Pilot is the 2003 model year—the starting point of the Pilot's four-generation lineage, with subsequent generations arriving in 2009, 2016, and 2023.