History/Overview
Honda introduced the Pilot in 2003, and rolled out a third generation of this mid-size crossover in 2016, making it larger and lending lending it a more upscale appearance. The Pilot is carried over unchanged into 2020.
Available Trims
Honda offers the Pilot in LX, EX, EX-L Navi, Touring (with seven- or eight-passenger seating) and Black Edition trims. All use a 3.5L V6 engine and AWD. LX, EX and EX-L Navi come with a six-speed transmission, and Touring and Black Edition trims get a nine-speed with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and push-button gear selection.
Standard Features
All Pilot trims come with heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, a front wiper de-icer, LED taillights, automatic on/off LED headlights, variable intermittent front wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, active noise cancellation, a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster display, conversation mirror, power windows, passive keyless entry, remote engine start, three-zone automatic air conditioning with rear-seat controls, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, driver's and front passenger seat armrests, six-way manual driver's seat and four-way front passenger seat adjustments, heated front seats, a seven-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HondaLink, Bluetooth, CabinControl, and WiFi tethering.
Standard safety and driver assist items include forward collision detection with automatic braking, road departure mitigation, tire pressure monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beam headlights.
EX trim brings a right-side blind spot camera monitor, LED fog lights, a sunroof, roof rails, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, a 10-way power driver's seat, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
The EX-L Navi package adds memory-linked side mirrors and driver's seat, a power tailgate, an acoustic windshield, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, second-row side sunshades, heated second-row seats, leather upholstery, four-way power front passenger seat, one-touch second-row seats, and satellite radio.
Touring models gain the nine-speed transmission and paddle shifters with electronic console gear selector, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto-leveling headlights, chrome exterior trim, LED high-beam headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 20-inch wheels, a 115-volt power outlet, acoustic front door glass, ambient interior lighting, CabinTalk in-car PA system, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated front seats, an 11-speaker sound system with subwoofer, HondaLink subscription services, rear-seat entertainment system with HDMI input, and a WiFi hotspot.
Seven-passenger Touring models trade a three-place second-row bench seat for a pair of heated captain's chairs with armrests and slide and recline functions. This package also adds a panoramic sunroof.
Finally, Pilot Black Edition adds black wheels and reverts to body-coloured door handles and exterior trim from the Touring's chrome pieces.
Fuel Economy
Honda's fuel consumption estimates for the Pilot are 13.0/9.3 L/100 km (city/highway) with the six-speed transmission in LX, EX and EX-L Navi trims. The nine-speed's estimates are 12.4/9.3 L/100 km.
Competition
Honda Pilot competitors come from all over. Comparable domestic models include the Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, Ford Flex and Explorer and GMC Acadia.
From other Asian automakers, the Pilot faces off against the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander.
The sole European vehicle to compete directly with the Pilot is the Volkswagen Atlas.
