Do all Honda pilots have 3rd row seating?
Yes—every Honda Pilot has three rows of seating, though the middle row can be configured as a bench or captain’s chairs, which changes total passenger capacity.
In practice, Honda offers two common configurations in the Pilot: an 8-passenger setup with a 3-seat second row and a 3-seat third row, and a 7-passenger setup with second-row captain’s chairs (two seats) plus a 3-seat third row. The third row remains standard across trims, and the choice of second-row seating determines whether you carry seven or eight people.
Seat configurations in current Honda Pilot models
The two primary seating layouts you’ll see in modern Pilots are outlined below.
- 8-passenger configuration: second-row bench (three seats) plus third-row bench (three seats) for a total of eight passengers. This yields a 2-3-3 arrangement.
- 7-passenger configuration: second-row captain’s chairs (two seats) plus a third-row bench (three seats) for a total of seven passengers. This yields a 2-2-3 arrangement.
Regardless of configuration, every Pilot retains three rows, with the second-row option swapping between a bench and captain’s chairs to alter passenger count.
Does the Pilot ever come with only two rows?
No. The Honda Pilot is designed as a three-row family SUV. There is no two-row or five-seat Pilot in Honda’s current lineup. If you want a two-row vehicle, Honda offers the Passport, which shares some engineering with the Pilot but has only two rows.
Summary
The Honda Pilot consistently provides three rows of seating. Buyers can choose between an eight‑passenger layout with a full 3‑3‑3 arrangement (second-row bench) or a seven‑passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs (2-2-3). This flexibility makes the Pilot suitable for larger families or those who prefer easier access to the middle row, while always retaining a third row.
