2018 Honda Pilot MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2018 Honda Pilot is rated 21 to 23 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Honda Pilot · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

23MPG combined

20 city 27 highway

$2,700 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic

Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,700 to $2,950 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2017.

Fewer complaints than a typical Pilot year

The 2018 drew 50 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 122 for a typical Pilot year. It is not picked as a best year: it is named in an open NHTSA investigation.

No Pilot year stands out enough to avoid. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Pilot year ranked The 2018 Pilot's recalls and problems

Every 2018 Pilot version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Pilot FWD	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,700
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 9-speed automatic EPA listing: Pilot AWD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$2,850
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Pilot FWD	22 mpg	19 / 27	$2,850
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Pilot AWD	21 mpg	18 / 26	$2,950

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic	$2,609	$217	$13,043
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 9-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,857	$238	$14,286

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Honda Pilot MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 19 to 23 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2016.

2018: gas 23 mpg

Show as a table

Honda Pilot best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	19
2011	19
2012	20
2013	20
2014	20
2015	20
2016	23
2017	23
2018	23
2019	23
2020	23
2021	23
2022	23
2023	22
2024	22
2025	22
2026	22

Every Pilot year's ratings in one table

How the 2018 Pilot compares

2018 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2018 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,600
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	29 mpg	23 mpg	$2,150
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: diesel	25 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Murano Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Volkswagen Atlas Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Honda Pilot This page Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
GMC Acadia Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Ford Explorer Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,950
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Buick Enclave Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950

2018 Pilot recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 443 owner complaints for the 2018 Pilot.

Owners most often describe stalling (91 complaints, 21%), then auto start-stop problems (71). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2018 Pilot recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2018 Honda Pilot's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 3.5L 6-cyl gets 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 22 with AWD.

Does the 2018 Honda Pilot need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2018 Honda Pilot version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2018 Pilot's MPG compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.