Sound, solid and dependable — that defines the Honda Pilot.
You can’t miss the subtle changes in the body styling softening some of the boxy features of the last gen, presenting a more appealing curbside look. Sitting tall on the five-spoke alloys and framed by the LED headlamps mounted over tucked-in fog lamps, the Pilot is a smooth operator. It may be an optical illusion, but the vehicle seems to look more compact than previous models too.
With seating for seven adults, the upscale Elite trim model we tested was very nicely equipped, with leather seating surfaces, handsome two-toned high-end glossy plastics and soft touch surfaces. The first two rows sport heated captain’s seats with a split bench for the roomy third. Even with the extra row engaged there’s enough of a deck to hold golf clubs and some of my photo gear. However, just crank down both sets of seats to create a massive 84-cubic-inch cargo area.
The dash features a split, two-gauge display framing the multifunction digital readouts. The touch screen sits in the dash atop the climate-control panel.
Under the hood the all-wheel-drive Pilot is powered by a 280 horsepower V-6 turning a nine-speed transmission. Toggle the push-button transmission switch to engage the Sport mode and start flipping the gear-shift paddles to maximize the driving experience. The 3.5-liter engine rates out at 19/27 mpg city/highway, which falls in the middle of the midsize SUV field.
I liked the way the truck nicely accelerates in normal mode, merging into highway traffic confidently. At speed the Pilot is sturdy, quiet and very comfortable. Handling improves in Sport, but the ride becomes predictably stiffer. City maneuvering and good sightlines make parking routine. The higher ground clearance allows for some light off-roading, but like many Honda SUVs, getting in and out of the truck is quite easy.
The Pilot is set up for light towing with a trailer hitch rated at 3,500 pounds.
Beautifully outfitted with a suite of safety features including blind-spot monitoring, lane-drift assist and emergency braking, the Pilot dances and darts through city traffic with the agility of a smaller CUV. Priced competitively — base Pilots start around $34,000. Our fully rigged Elite rang in at $48,020.
The Honda tackles this popular category against the new Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, along with newer entries the Volkswagen Atlas and Subaru Ascent.
Honda Pilot Elite
MSRP: $44, 919
As tested: $48,020
MPG: 19 city, 27 highway
