The 2022 Honda Pilot is a family-friendly SUV with its three-rows, updated technology, and super functionality. With so many people buying the Honda Pilot for their families, it’s worth asking – just how safe is the 2022 Honda Pilot, really? Here are the Pilot’s safety ratings from two major automotive safety organizations, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Honda Pilot safety ratings keep it from an IIHS award

Despite the 2022 Honda Pilot‘s three-rows and spacious cabin, its safety rating may make it less family-friendly than it first appears. In fact, the Honda Pilot doesn’t win either of the IIHS‘ safety awards, the Top Safety Pick or the Top Safety Pick+. To win these awards an SUV must have good crash test ratings, acceptable or good headlights, and fantastic safety systems. The exact ratings vary depending on the award’s criteria.

Many of the 2022 Honda Pilot’s IIHS crash test ratings are good, but a couple of key subpar ratings stand out. For example, the small overlap front crash test on the passenger side is just acceptable. While this is the second-highest rating, it is enough to keep the Pilot from the Top Safety Pick award. In addition, the updated side crash test is marginal. The updated side crash test isn’t yet part of the IIHS Top Safety Pick awards, but it’s still important to pay attention to.

The Honda Pilot gets 5 stars from the NHTSA

The NHTSA‘s 2022 Honda Pilot ratings are a little bit different from the IIHS’. For one thing, the Honda Pilot gets 4 stars for its overall rating from the non-profit. However, its overall front star rating is only 4/5 stars, as is its front passenger rating.

The NHTSA is also happy with the 2022 Honda Pilot’s safety systems. All of the safety systems rated by the NHTSA met its performance criteria. These include the forward collision warning, lane departure warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support.

Is the Honda Pilot a good SUV for families?

Okay, so the 2022 Honda Pilot safety ratings are kind of mixed. Should you totally avoid this SUV? After all, there are plenty of three-row SUVs on the market that are IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners. But let’s say that you love the Honda Pilot despite its shortcomings; is all lost? No. Consumer Reports gives the Pilot its stamp of approval. The 2022 Honda Pilot is Consumer Reports-recommended. It has a solid road test score and very good comfort ratings. The predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction scores could definitely be better but they aren’t terrible.

Overall, the 2022 Honda Pilot safety ratings are okay. They’re certainly not as good as some other three-row SUVs in its class like the 2022 Kia Telluride, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade, and the 2022 Toyota Highlander. As long as you’re aware of what you’re getting yourself into, the new Honda Pilot may still be a reasonable choice for your next family SUV.