A white 2020 Honda Pilot is shown parked near a store after visiting a used Honda dealer near El Dorado.

Buying a vehicle can be tough enough when you're only accounting for your own needs. Between what you need for your day-to-day life, what you want for an extra sense of luxury, and what you can afford on your current budget, there's already a lot to balance. Throw a family into the mix, and things get tougher: you add chauffeuring kids and extra errands to your list of needs and backseat comfort and entertainment to your wants, all while needing a larger vehicle to fit everyone, which can make it harder to stay under budget. But don't worry, there's a vehicle that checks all of those boxes and more: a used Honda Pilot.

As your premier used Honda dealer near El Dorado, we here at Ryan Honda have plenty of great, affordable options at our Monroe, LA dealership. While some families can get by with a compact option like the CR-V, those who need to bring lots of kids or extended family members along for the ride will want something with a roomier interior. With its three rows of seating, the Pilot has room for up to eight. As an SUV, it has an open cargo space that can easily be expanded by folding rear seats down when they're not in use, so you can easily switch between bringing all the kids to school and picking up a new piece of furniture so you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for delivery.

A new Pilot is reasonably priced for the quality you'll get, but it can be inaccessible for parents who are working hard to balance their own expenses with their kids' needs and wants. When you opt for a used Pilot, you can save some money for a rainy day without having to downsize to a model that's too small for your family. We only offer used models that we stand behind completely after a thorough inspection so that you can shop with confidence.

A Spacious Interior

The Pilot may technically be a midsize SUV, which you'll be grateful for when maneuvering in crowded parking lots in downtown El Dorado, but you wouldn't know it when you step inside. It has plenty of space for people in all three rows to stretch out and get comfortable. For the second row, some models have a bench that seats three while others have more comfortable captain's chairs that seat two, so you can pick the one that works best for your family. Behind all of the seats is a large cargo area that can hold anything from groceries to science fair projects, and there are also plenty of useful cubbies throughout the interior that can help you keep essentials like sunglasses, first aid kids, and snacks organized and within easy reach.

Recent Models Come Packed With Great Safety Features

Every parent wants to keep their child safe, but with a well-built vehicle designed with safety in mind, you can breathe a little easier as you shuttle your little ones around town and beyond. The Pilot entered its third generation for the 2016 model year, and its improved design earned it a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as well as a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both of these groups look at crash test performance to ensure that vehicles keep drivers and passengers safe in a variety of potential accidents, so even if the worst happens, you and your family are protected.

Of course, it's better to prevent crashes before they happen. Driver assistance technology can help you stay fully aware of your surroundings so you can do just that. You'll find some of these features on older models, but if you want to be sure you're getting a full range of them, you should consider a 2019 model or newer. On the 2019 Pilot, every trim down to the base LX comes standard with a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, a Lane Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The white interior of a 2020 Honda Pilot is shown.

Entertainment for You and the Kids

Nothing can ruin a road trip like the peanut gallery's constant droning of "Are we there yet?" Whether you're running errands around El Dorado or going out on a longer road trip to see the sights of the South, it's nice to be able to keep the whole family entertained. More recent models have a rear entertainment system allowing the kiddos to watch movies or TV en route. There are also plenty of USB ports throughout the cabin, so the whole family can keep their devices charged.

Newer Pilot models have even more useful infotainment features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were introduced for the 2017 model year, letting you use your phone not only to get step-by-step navigation directions and hands-free communication but also to stream music, audiobooks, and podcasts easily through the Pilot's interface. For the 2019 model year, the Pilot got larger screens in the back and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as an intercom system called CabinTalk that lets you project your voice through the rear speakers to easily get a message through to kids in the back seat without straining your voice to be heard over road noise or taking your eyes off the road.

Comfort All Around

All the entertainment in the world won't make your family happy if they're not comfortable. Luckily, the Pilot's cabin is easy to feel at home in. Almost any model you can find has comfortable seats and plenty of room. But if you opt for a higher trim level, you'll get even more goodies to keep everyone cozy all year long. While upgrading can be expensive when buying new, it's a lot easier to do with pre-owned prices, where you get more bang for your buck.

Even the most loving families can have a hard time agreeing on everything, and AC and heat can be contentious when some people run hot while others run cold. The Pilot's Tri-Zone Climate Control can keep everyone happy by letting different vents put out air at different temperatures. For cold days, some models have heated front seats, and others have heated second-row seats as well.
A blue 2021 Honda Pilot EX-L is shown parked on a driveway.

Let Us Help You Find a Used Pilot That's Perfect for You

Whether you want a newer model with the latest features or an older model that's more affordable, we can help you find a used Pilot that's a perfect fit for you and your family. We want to help you make the most of your time behind the wheel with a vehicle that's perfect for getting around El Dorado or for longer drives with the whole family in tow, like road trips where you can make memories that last a lifetime. Our team can answer any questions you may have, either online, over the phone, or in person, so you can make an informed decision and know that you're fully in control every step of the way.

We want to make sure that you don't feel pressured or stressed at any point, from browsing to financing. Here at Ryan Honda, we know that you always put your family first, and we want to give you the respect you deserve by always putting you first. See the difference for yourself by reaching out and taking one step closer to getting behind the wheel of an affordable SUV that can handle all of your family's needs.