View Poll Results: Which one do you think looks better?
Honda Pilot
16
36.36%
Toyota Highlander
24
54.55%
Nissan Pathfinder
4
9.09%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll
2016 Honda Pilot
#62
Pole Position
What "technical highlights" does the Pilot have over the Highlander?
We can agree to disagree about the Highlander simply being "brought up to par with the industry." It has been one of the most positively reviewed Toyota vehicles in the last few years and I think this Pilot is the first vehicle in it's class that has a shot at even being close to the Highlander. The only test I've seen the Highlander lose was to a loaded Hemi-powered Durango, which isn't exactly apples-to-apples.
We can agree to disagree about the Highlander simply being "brought up to par with the industry." It has been one of the most positively reviewed Toyota vehicles in the last few years and I think this Pilot is the first vehicle in it's class that has a shot at even being close to the Highlander. The only test I've seen the Highlander lose was to a loaded Hemi-powered Durango, which isn't exactly apples-to-apples.
#68
Lexus Fanatic
Interior looks nice. I'll reserve judgement on exterior until I see one in person, some are saying it looks much better in person then the pics. Still likely a nice vehicle with some nice upgrades.
#69
Official Press:
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/10/2...ment-official/
Beauty, Brawn and Brains: The 2016 Honda Pilot is the Triple Threat Poised to Top the Three-Row SUV Segment
• Sleek and athletic exterior meets interior elegance for a commanding yet sophisticated presence
• Top-of-the-line Elite trim introduces a premium look, feel and experience with highest level of standard features
• Direct injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC® engine with more horsepower and torque than outgoing model
• Smartest Pilot ever with new Intelligent Traction Management system, Honda Sensing™ technologies and i-VTM4 AWD system
TORRANCE, Calif., April 10, 2015 – The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV – sleek and athletic styling, outstanding power, sophisticated technology and, new for 2016, an all-new Elite model with a panoramic roof and an vast array of other standard features.
Building on the solid reputation established from the fall 2002 introduction of the first generation 2003 model, the 2016 Pilot brings a whole new level of refinement and available content to the segment. This includes a more powerful direct injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC® Earth Dreams™ Technology engine producing 280 horsepower1 and 260 lb-ft of torque2, and new 6-speed and 9-speed automatic transmissions. Providing outstanding dynamic handling are a new Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System and all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management system featuring Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes on the AWD model and Normal and Snow on the 2WD model. Also significantly upgraded are the Display Audio and navigation systems. The available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies brings available features that include Collision Mitigation Braking System™3 with Forward Collision Warning4, Road Departure Mitigation System5, Lane Keeping Assist System6 with Lane Departure Warning7 and Adaptive Cruise Control8.
Providing customers with a greatly increased range of trim levels, the 2016 Pilot is available in a new top-of-the-line Elite trim together with LX, EX, EX with Honda Sensing™, EX-L, EX-L with Honda Sensing™ and Touring trims. Honda Sensing™ is standard on both Touring and Elite trims. The Pilot Elite offers an extensive feature content list, including a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row heated captain's chairs, LED headlights with auto high-beam, rain sensing windshield wipers and much more. And these are in addition to a long list of standard features throughout the Pilot trim range.
Model Trim Summary
Pilot LX Prominent Features
Direct-injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Hill Start Assist
Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System (available)
18-inch aluminum alloy wheels
Brake Assist
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera9 with guidelines
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)10 with Tire Fill Assist and Location and Pressure Indicators
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
LED Brake Lights
Remote Entry
Push Button Start
5-Inch Color LCD Screen
200-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®11
Bluetooth® Streaming Audio11
MP3/Windows Media®12 Audio (WMA) Playback Capability
USB Audio Interface [Center Console w/High-Speed Charging (1 Port)]
Pilot EX Prominent Features - Changed or added from LX
Intelligent Traction Management, Normal/Snow (2WD), Normal/Mud/Sand/Snow (AWD)
Remote Engine Start
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera9 (HS) with dynamic guidelines
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Honda Sensing™ (available)
Honda LaneWatch™13
Pilot EX Prominent Features - Changed or added from LX (continued)
Programmable Remote Entry
Smart Entry
Fog Lights
HomeLink® Remote System14
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support
USB HondaLink/Audio Interface15 [Front w/Charging (1 Port) and Center Console w/High-Speed Charging (2 Ports)]
225-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer
8-Inch Display Audio with High-Resolution WVGA (800x480) Electrostatic Touch-Screen and Customizable Feature Settings
HondaLink® Next Generation16
SMS Text Message Function17
SiriusXM® Radio18
Pandora®19 Compatibility
Song By Voice® (SBV)
Pilot EX-L Prominent Features - Changed or added from EX
Acoustic Windshield Glass
One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
Power Tailgate
Rear Entertainment System with HDMI interface20 and 115V power outlet (RES) (available)
Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
One-Touch 2nd-Row Seats
Front Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment
Leather-Trimmed Interior
Heated Front Seats
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition21 and Honda HD Digital Traffic (available)
Pilot Touring Prominent Features - Changed or added from EX-L
9-Speed Automatic Transmission with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) with Paddle Shifters
20-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels
Honda Sensing™
Acoustic Windshield and Front Door Glass
Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors. Heated (AWD) with Memory and Integrated LED Turn Indicators
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support with Two-Position Memory
Idle-Stop
Roof Rails
Blu-Ray Rear Entertainment System
Blue Ambient LED Lighting
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition22 and Honda HD Digital Traffic
540-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers, including Subwoofer
USB Ports, 2nd-Row w/High-Speed Charging (2 Ports)
Pilot Elite Prominent Features - Changed or added from Touring
Auto High-Beam Headlights
Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor23
Rain Sensing Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Trailer Harness
Panoramic Roof
LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off
Heated Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Front and 2nd-Row Illuminated Beverage Holders
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
Heated 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs
HD Radio™24
Earth Dreams™ Technology Powertrain
The 2016 Pilot delivers more refined, powerful and fuel-efficient performance than ever before courtesy of its new 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) cylinder deactivation technology. The engine's peak output of 280 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque is up 30 hp and 7 lb.-ft. over the previous model. The engine is matched to a choice of two new advanced transmissions – a Pilot-first 6-speed automatic transmission or, on upper trims, a Honda-first 9-speed automatic transmission – both delivering more refined, responsive and fuel-efficient performance.
Intelligent Variable Torque Management for all Four Wheels (i-VTM4)
The Pilot's available new Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced all-wheel-drive system offered in a mainstream, three-row SUV. This entirely more capable system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels using the new, lightweight rear drive unit. Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-drive, rear-drive or conventional all-wheel-drive systems.
Intelligent Traction Management
This new Pilot features a new button-operated Intelligent Traction Management System that offers different operating modes, for the AWD: Normal, Mud, Sand and Snow; and for the FWD: Normal and Snow. Reflecting Pilot's role as a key U.S. export model, this system was developed, tuned and tested at various locations in the U.S. and around the world – including in Imperial Dunes "Glamis", California; Moscow, Russia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Intelligent Traction Management system allows the driver to select the operating mode that best suits the driving conditions by simply pushing a button on the vehicle's center console. Based on the setting selected, the system adjusts the drive-by wire map, transmission shift map, Vehicle Stability Assist™ and i-VTM4 torque distribution for AWD equipped models for optimal performance in varying road or surface conditions.
Display Audio and Navigation
Honda's latest thinking for advanced, family-friendly technology is embodied in the new Pilot. New features include the available 8-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface with Android operating system and all-new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with the experts at Garmin®24.
Exterior Colors
All 2016 Pilot trims are available in eight exterior colors including three metallic and five pearl colors. All colors have a strong character, offering expressive contrasts that complement the Pilot's body-panel curves and angles, while also exhibiting a smart luxury appearance.
• Sleek and athletic exterior meets interior elegance for a commanding yet sophisticated presence
• Top-of-the-line Elite trim introduces a premium look, feel and experience with highest level of standard features
• Direct injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC® engine with more horsepower and torque than outgoing model
• Smartest Pilot ever with new Intelligent Traction Management system, Honda Sensing™ technologies and i-VTM4 AWD system
TORRANCE, Calif., April 10, 2015 – The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV – sleek and athletic styling, outstanding power, sophisticated technology and, new for 2016, an all-new Elite model with a panoramic roof and an vast array of other standard features.
Building on the solid reputation established from the fall 2002 introduction of the first generation 2003 model, the 2016 Pilot brings a whole new level of refinement and available content to the segment. This includes a more powerful direct injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC® Earth Dreams™ Technology engine producing 280 horsepower1 and 260 lb-ft of torque2, and new 6-speed and 9-speed automatic transmissions. Providing outstanding dynamic handling are a new Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System and all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management system featuring Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes on the AWD model and Normal and Snow on the 2WD model. Also significantly upgraded are the Display Audio and navigation systems. The available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies brings available features that include Collision Mitigation Braking System™3 with Forward Collision Warning4, Road Departure Mitigation System5, Lane Keeping Assist System6 with Lane Departure Warning7 and Adaptive Cruise Control8.
Providing customers with a greatly increased range of trim levels, the 2016 Pilot is available in a new top-of-the-line Elite trim together with LX, EX, EX with Honda Sensing™, EX-L, EX-L with Honda Sensing™ and Touring trims. Honda Sensing™ is standard on both Touring and Elite trims. The Pilot Elite offers an extensive feature content list, including a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row heated captain's chairs, LED headlights with auto high-beam, rain sensing windshield wipers and much more. And these are in addition to a long list of standard features throughout the Pilot trim range.
Model Trim Summary
Pilot LX Prominent Features
Direct-injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Hill Start Assist
Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System (available)
18-inch aluminum alloy wheels
Brake Assist
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera9 with guidelines
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)10 with Tire Fill Assist and Location and Pressure Indicators
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
LED Brake Lights
Remote Entry
Push Button Start
5-Inch Color LCD Screen
200-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®11
Bluetooth® Streaming Audio11
MP3/Windows Media®12 Audio (WMA) Playback Capability
USB Audio Interface [Center Console w/High-Speed Charging (1 Port)]
Pilot EX Prominent Features - Changed or added from LX
Intelligent Traction Management, Normal/Snow (2WD), Normal/Mud/Sand/Snow (AWD)
Remote Engine Start
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera9 (HS) with dynamic guidelines
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Honda Sensing™ (available)
Honda LaneWatch™13
Pilot EX Prominent Features - Changed or added from LX (continued)
Programmable Remote Entry
Smart Entry
Fog Lights
HomeLink® Remote System14
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support
USB HondaLink/Audio Interface15 [Front w/Charging (1 Port) and Center Console w/High-Speed Charging (2 Ports)]
225-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer
8-Inch Display Audio with High-Resolution WVGA (800x480) Electrostatic Touch-Screen and Customizable Feature Settings
HondaLink® Next Generation16
SMS Text Message Function17
SiriusXM® Radio18
Pandora®19 Compatibility
Song By Voice® (SBV)
Pilot EX-L Prominent Features - Changed or added from EX
Acoustic Windshield Glass
One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
Power Tailgate
Rear Entertainment System with HDMI interface20 and 115V power outlet (RES) (available)
Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
One-Touch 2nd-Row Seats
Front Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment
Leather-Trimmed Interior
Heated Front Seats
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition21 and Honda HD Digital Traffic (available)
Pilot Touring Prominent Features - Changed or added from EX-L
9-Speed Automatic Transmission with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) with Paddle Shifters
20-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels
Honda Sensing™
Acoustic Windshield and Front Door Glass
Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors. Heated (AWD) with Memory and Integrated LED Turn Indicators
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support with Two-Position Memory
Idle-Stop
Roof Rails
Blu-Ray Rear Entertainment System
Blue Ambient LED Lighting
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition22 and Honda HD Digital Traffic
540-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers, including Subwoofer
USB Ports, 2nd-Row w/High-Speed Charging (2 Ports)
Pilot Elite Prominent Features - Changed or added from Touring
Auto High-Beam Headlights
Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor23
Rain Sensing Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Trailer Harness
Panoramic Roof
LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off
Heated Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Front and 2nd-Row Illuminated Beverage Holders
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
Heated 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs
HD Radio™24
Earth Dreams™ Technology Powertrain
The 2016 Pilot delivers more refined, powerful and fuel-efficient performance than ever before courtesy of its new 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) cylinder deactivation technology. The engine's peak output of 280 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque is up 30 hp and 7 lb.-ft. over the previous model. The engine is matched to a choice of two new advanced transmissions – a Pilot-first 6-speed automatic transmission or, on upper trims, a Honda-first 9-speed automatic transmission – both delivering more refined, responsive and fuel-efficient performance.
Intelligent Variable Torque Management for all Four Wheels (i-VTM4)
The Pilot's available new Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced all-wheel-drive system offered in a mainstream, three-row SUV. This entirely more capable system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels using the new, lightweight rear drive unit. Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-drive, rear-drive or conventional all-wheel-drive systems.
Intelligent Traction Management
This new Pilot features a new button-operated Intelligent Traction Management System that offers different operating modes, for the AWD: Normal, Mud, Sand and Snow; and for the FWD: Normal and Snow. Reflecting Pilot's role as a key U.S. export model, this system was developed, tuned and tested at various locations in the U.S. and around the world – including in Imperial Dunes "Glamis", California; Moscow, Russia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Intelligent Traction Management system allows the driver to select the operating mode that best suits the driving conditions by simply pushing a button on the vehicle's center console. Based on the setting selected, the system adjusts the drive-by wire map, transmission shift map, Vehicle Stability Assist™ and i-VTM4 torque distribution for AWD equipped models for optimal performance in varying road or surface conditions.
Display Audio and Navigation
Honda's latest thinking for advanced, family-friendly technology is embodied in the new Pilot. New features include the available 8-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface with Android operating system and all-new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with the experts at Garmin®24.
Exterior Colors
All 2016 Pilot trims are available in eight exterior colors including three metallic and five pearl colors. All colors have a strong character, offering expressive contrasts that complement the Pilot's body-panel curves and angles, while also exhibiting a smart luxury appearance.
#70
Lexus Champion
Last edited by tex2670; 04-12-15 at 09:18 AM.
#71
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
features you say are upscale are now becoming mainstream. they want to be on board now rather than behind as they have been with many models in the past decade.
#72
Lexus Champion
Yes and no--something like vented seats and rear heated are not mainstream. Kia and Hyundai are pushing this class of cars by including those features; but Toyota didn't add them to the latest Highlander. And most entry level luxury cars, other than Lexus, don't offer that feature either.
#73
Yes and no--something like vented seats and rear heated are not mainstream. Kia and Hyundai are pushing this class of cars by including those features; but Toyota didn't add them to the latest Highlander. And most entry level luxury cars, other than Lexus, don't offer that feature either.
#74
The Honda Pilot has been transformed. From a utilitarian box on wheels to a sleek near-luxury SUV the style shift is almost shocking in its departure from the past. Pairing that dramatic redesign with a long list of upgrades, does this latest model have what it takes to put the Pilot at the helm of…
The 2016 Honda Pilot is all new. Let's see if it's cleared for takeoff!
#75
2016 Honda Pilot First Drive
Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2016-...t-first-drive/
Engine: 3.5L V6
Power: 280 HP / 262 LB-FT
Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic
0-60 Time: 7.5 Seconds (est)
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Engine Placement: Front
Curb Weight: 4,317 LBS
Seating: 2+2+3
Cargo: 82.1 CU-FT (max)
MPG: 20 City / 27 HWY
Base Price: $29,995
As Tested Price: $46,420
Power: 280 HP / 262 LB-FT
Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic
0-60 Time: 7.5 Seconds (est)
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Engine Placement: Front
Curb Weight: 4,317 LBS
Seating: 2+2+3
Cargo: 82.1 CU-FT (max)
MPG: 20 City / 27 HWY
Base Price: $29,995
As Tested Price: $46,420
For all it had going for it, the second-generation Honda Pilot was stung by one undeniable fact: it looked like a big, boxy SUV at a time when consumer favor was shifting towards car-based crossovers. For 2016, though, Honda is offering a third-generation Pilot that not only does away with the old model's brutalist looks, but also adopts bleeding-edge safety technology and fuel-efficient powertrains.
The Pilot's new styling still doesn't really work, to our eyes. That's not because of the CR-V-inspired headlights or Accord-derived grille. It's not even because of the horizontally oriented, reshaped taillights. The biggest problem with the Pilot is its profile. The hood is an inch lower for 2016, and the CUV is 3.5 inches longer than its predecessor with an extra inch ahead of the front axle. Simply put, the proportions are out of whack. The hood is too short, the passenger compartment too large, and the beltline too low. It's little wonder then that both Autoblog staffers and readers have pointed out the 2016 Pilot's minivan-like resemblance.
Changes underneath the Pilot's sheetmetal are just as drastic. Honda incorporated a mix of high-strength steel, aluminum, and even magnesium to create the CUV's new bones. Taken as a whole, our top-of-the-line Elite tester is 286 pounds lighter than the previous model, while being 25 percent more rigid overall.
Aside from some penny pinching in the cabin – the hard plastic on the top of the rear door panels is particularly egregious – the Pilot's interior is home to soft-touch plastics, quality leather, and handsome piano black accents. Front passengers are treated to broad, comfortable, power seats, complete with heating and ventilation (depending on trim). What they lack in outright support through the turns, they make up for in long-haul comfort.
Honda will continue to sell the Pilot with seating for eight, but for the very first time, it's also offering a pair of captain's chairs in place of the second-row bench. Either setup is comfortable, though the seven-passenger layout allows easier access to the third row. As for the way-back, it can accommodate two kids or two adults in a pinch, but we aren't sure how Honda thinks three humans of any size will fit back there.
Happily, Honda ditched the two-screen center stack setup found elsewhere in its model range. The Pilot's ample eight-inch display (standard on the Touring and Elite trims) has menus that are easy to manage. A version of the Android operating system and Garmin navigation make up a pleasing software suite. That said, the touch-capacitive controls that sit on the driver's side of the display aren't very responsive, and when combined with the lack of haptic feedback, left us wondering if the 'buttons' had even registered our inputs.
There's an additional 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster that replaces the analog speedometer – that's right, the digital speedo is all you get. Flanked by the counter-rotating needles of the tachometer, fuel, and temperature gauges, the screen displays everything from trip info to the current setting of the Intelligent Traction Management system. But screen real estate is only the most obvious display of tech in the Pilot – there's more electronic voodoo hiding under the skin. The infotainment system has a pair of fascinating new features: the DVR-like Tune Start and the playlist-creating Tune Mix, for the SiriusXM satellite radio.
The Honda Sensing system provides a comprehensive suite of computer-controlled nannies designed to keep things copacetic while driving. Road Departure Mitigation is a Honda first and works with the lane departure warning system to keep distracted drivers from straying off the road. Rather than relying on audio and visual driver alerts, RDM will actively apply steering and braking power as needed. It works like a dream.
Like the old Pilot, the only engine on offer is a 3.5-liter V6. But it's a new powerplant, hailing from Honda's Earth Dreams family. The engine puts out 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, up from the outgoing engine's 250 hp and 253 lb-ft. With a drive-by-wire throttle, direct injection, a stop-start system, active engine mounts, and the latest version of Honda's variable cylinder management system, this is a far more advanced engine than the Pilot's old V6. The end result is a crossover that feels potent. Power is ample throughout the rev range. On top of that, the new electric throttle is sharp, responsive, and easy to modulate.
Beyond performance, the engine exudes a sense of refinement. It's quiet when cruising, but when it does start to sing, its note is smooth and sonorous. Honda added active engine mounts in a bid to quell any NVH issues in everyday driving and from the start-stop system. It works, eliminating any unpleasantries.
For base models, a six-speed automatic transmission takes the place of the Pilot's old five-speed unit. But a ZF-built nine-speed auto is featured on the top-end Touring and Elite trims. The nine-speed is responsive off the line, though its emphasis is on smooth shifts, not quick ones. We appreciate the transmission's willingness to hold gears on the many inclines we experienced on our drive through Kentucky hill country. But there's too much hunting on downshifts. Dig into the throttle and after a momentary pause the transmission serves up a lower gear, only to realize that it has several other cogs at its disposal, meaning a second, seemingly unnecessary gear-change happens shortly thereafter. The Pilot's paddle shifters are small relative to the size of the wheel, but have a clicky action that feels surprisingly sporty, considering the vehicle.
The nine-speed auto feeds power to an all-new, torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled rear differential. According to Honda, the new Intelligent Variable Torque Management system can not only shift up to 70 percent of the engine's oomph to the rear axle, but it is also able to move torque laterally. It seems fine on flat, dry pavement, but we'll have to get the Pilot off the beaten path to see how this system fares in rugged conditions.
Honda is claiming best-in-class fuel economy in the two-wheel drive model, with a predicted 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway in two-wheel drive. All-wheel drive drops both figures by a single unit.
The comprehensive Pilot overhaul extends well past the powertrain. Front struts with amplitude-reactive dampers and an all-new multi-link rear suspension with coilover dampers underpin the Honda. The handling is exactly as you'd expect of a family oriented three-row CUV – soft and portly. However, our curvy, dynamic drive route through Kentucky didn't do the Pilot Elite any favors. These twisty roads better accentuated the 4,300-pound curb weight rather than the nearly 300-pound weight loss.
Honda's electric power steering is more or less par for the course. It's tight for a large crossover, with a 16:1 ratio and just over three turns from lock to lock, but we found ourselves working the tiller a bit more than we'd like. Tiny corrections are necessary, due to the lack of feedback through the wheel.
The Pilot rolls through the bends and dives under hard braking, neither of which come on progressively. But the Pilot hardly felt sloppy. Besides, the vast majority of consumers will never come close to pushing the big Honda as hard as we did during our drive route. For the families buying a Pilot, it's as agile as it needs to be.
Far more important to consumers is the way the Pilot rides. It's comfortable in the city and on the highway, even with our Elite model's 20-inch wheels. Small pavement imperfections are soaked up easily. Kentucky's smooth roads are a blessing, but we wonder if the Pilot won't feel a bit rougher once we get it out on the choppy roads of Detroit.
Prices for the 2016 Pilot start reasonably enough, at $29,995, plus $880 for destination. That's within $1,000 of both the pricier Explorer and the more affordable Pathfinder. Adding all-wheel-drive increases the price by $1,800, regardless of trim. There are a spate of trims to choose from, starting at the base LX, then building through the EX and EX-L – both of which feature sub trims that add additional equipment – and into Touring and the top-of-the-line Elite. We drove the most expensive model, the $46,420 Elite. That's slightly more dear than a loaded Pathfinder ($45,685), but significantly less than a fully optioned Ford Explorer Limited with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost. The Pilot Elite is pricey, but not extravagantly so.
Honda has built a thoroughly modern three-row crossover that won't only perform well in its class, but will probably steal at least a few sales from more premium vehicles – think Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60. The Pilot's smooth ride, handsomely appointed interior, high-tech safety systems, and efficient powertrain will play well with a range of customers. Most importantly, though, the Pilot will be highly appealing to value-minded families, perhaps more than ever before.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/20/2...ideo/#image-16