- Newest year: 2008
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
- Same as 2007
2003-2008 Honda Pilot MPG & Fuel Cost
6 model years · 17–18 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 6 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2008. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2003-2008 Honda Pilot at a glance
The 2003-2008 Honda Pilot covers 6 model years in the EPA database (9 configurations in all), rated 17–18 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2008, costs about $3,630 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD (18 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2005 and 2006; 2004, 2007 and 2008 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 18 MPG, was reached in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2003-2008 Honda Pilot by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Gas | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 | Same EPA ratings as 2007 |
| 2007 | Gas | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 | Same EPA ratings as 2006 |
| 2006 | Gas | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 17 MPG | $3,840 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 17 MPG | $3,840 | Same EPA ratings as 2003 |
| 2003 | Gas | 17 MPG | $3,840 | First year |
What the 2008 Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$303
$3,630 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$6.05
Per 100 miles
$24.20
Five years
$18,150
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$210less a year
Class median $3,840 a year, MY2008
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2008 Honda Pilot MPG
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2008 Honda Pilot as for the 2007 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2007 section above.See 2007
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
2007 Honda Pilot MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2006
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2007 Honda Pilot as for the 2006 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2006 section above.See 2006
2006 Honda Pilot MPG
17–18 MPG · $3,630–$3,840/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration moves from 17 to 18 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,840 to $3,630, $210 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
2005 Honda Pilot MPG
17 MPG · $3,840/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,840.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
2004 Honda Pilot MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2003
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2004 Honda Pilot as for the 2003 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2003 section above.See 2003
2003 Honda Pilot MPG
17 MPG · $3,840/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,840 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD: $4,940 in California and $3,170 in Texas, a $1,770 difference.
- California $4,940
- Washington $4,570
- New York $3,630
- Florida $3,430
- Texas $3,170
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2008 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2003-2008 (YF1)
- 2009-2015 (2nd gen)
- 2016-2022 (3rd gen)
- 2023-2026 (4th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot get?
EPA rates the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot at 17–18 MPG combined across 9 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2008 Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD, is rated 18 MPG (16 city, 22 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot?
The Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 18 MPG, in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The lowest top rating, 17 MPG, was in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2005 and 2006. In 2004, 2007 and 2008 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Honda Pilot per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs about $3,630 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $3,630–$3,840 a year. That is a $210 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2008 Honda Pilot 100 miles?
About $24.20 per 100 miles for the Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $24.20 and $25.60 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2008 Honda Pilot more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD is rated 16 city and 22 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2008 Honda Pilot compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Pilot 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs about $3,630 a year to fuel, $210 less than the class median of $3,840, and less than 6 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 334 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2008, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2008 Honda Pilot different from the 2007 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2007 and 2008: 2 configurations rated 17–18 MPG combined. See the 2007 Honda Pilot for that year.