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2022 Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Long-Term Review Gallery

We spent the fall and winter getting familiar with the 2022 Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Trail.

Sarah Lindemann

December 29, 2022

We’ve been testing the 2022 Honda Pioneer 1000-5 over the fall and winter at our small hobby farm and woodlot in central Virginia. We’ve come away impressed with its utility prowess, but a little nonplussed at Honda’s attempts to work a sporty side into the rig. The two uses don’t have to be at odds, but the Pioneer’s blending of jobsite capability and weekend athleticism comes off a little clumsily. It’s still a high-quality, well-thought-out machine, but it feels as if it is trying to be too many things at once.

The cabin layout is clever, comfortable, and rugged around the farm. But out on the trail, things start to feel a little insecure and tippy.Sarah Lindemann

Ostensibly a work-focused dual-purpose machine, the Pioneer’s engine and transmission work best at full chat down two-track.Sarah Lindemann

The folding rear seats are a clever piece of design, but there’s not a lot of space for passengers, and they’re really only suitable for short trips.Sarah Lindemann

The full-length roll cage needed to protect back-seat passengers makes loading the Pioneer tough, and precludes a headache rack, which makes hauling tall and heavy loads unsettling.Sarah Lindemann

In Trail trim, the Pioneer is certainly a handsome machine, and the build quality is up to Honda’s exacting standards.Sarah Lindemann

The paddle-shifted six-speed transmission adds to the fun factor on open trails, but won’t let you hold gears for crawling or heavy hauling jobs. The result is a gearbox that never really feels like it’s in its happy place.Sarah Lindemann

The snappy throttle response and geared transmission are exactly what you want when it comes time to open it up and get somewhere quickly.Sarah Lindemann

The Pioneer’s electric power steering is responsive and accurate, which makes navigating narrow trails easy, and it’s weighted for the perfect balance of effort and feel.Sarah Lindemann

Our Pioneer wears a Honda factory accessory light bar and a winch with a steel cable.Sarah Lindemann

Put your in-laws back here and they’ll stop bugging you for rides in short order.Sarah Lindemann

The large rocker switches are clearly marked and easy to reach and use on the fly.Sarah Lindemann

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