We never liked the outgoing Honda Pilot. Like the Odyssey minivan, it looked like it had been designed by people who only saw square wooden boxes. But a brand new, 3rd generation model has made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week and we think it looks stunning, especially in person.
Gone are the awkward styling cues, replaced by a futuristic design language that reminds us of the the refreshed CR-V. Other manufacturers could really learn a thing or two from Honda this year!
Personally, I think the Pilot proves that truck looks for SUVs aren't cool anymore. It's especially obvious inside, where nothing feels rough and ready, more like advanced and connected.
But the big story with the new Pilot is the engineering that's gone into the body. This Alabama-built crossover is now 300 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which is like getting rid of a couple of passengers. The weight savings were achieved by using high-strength steel, some aluminum and some magnesium.This should have a dramatic effect on fuel consumption, as should the new V6 engine from the EarthDreams family, which features cylinder deactivation. To get even better fuel economy, they will have 6- and 9-speed automatic transmissions to go with it. A 9-speed, in a Honda Pilot… they might as well call it the USS Enterprise.
The size of the vehicle has also increased because Honda wanted to ensure all passengers are comfortable. The Pilot is going to be available as a 7-passenger vehicle with captain's chairs in the second row or as an 8-passenger with a bench second row. Even without folding the rear seats flat, there's enough space to put an average cooler in the trunk.
First introduced in 2002, the Honda Pilot is designed and engineered for the US market. So far, 1.4 million models have been sold, but demand slipped 15% last year. We expect huge interest in the 3-row Honda SUV once sales start this summer.
Personally, I think the Pilot proves that truck looks for SUVs aren't cool anymore. It's especially obvious inside, where nothing feels rough and ready, more like advanced and connected.
But the big story with the new Pilot is the engineering that's gone into the body. This Alabama-built crossover is now 300 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which is like getting rid of a couple of passengers. The weight savings were achieved by using high-strength steel, some aluminum and some magnesium.This should have a dramatic effect on fuel consumption, as should the new V6 engine from the EarthDreams family, which features cylinder deactivation. To get even better fuel economy, they will have 6- and 9-speed automatic transmissions to go with it. A 9-speed, in a Honda Pilot… they might as well call it the USS Enterprise.
The size of the vehicle has also increased because Honda wanted to ensure all passengers are comfortable. The Pilot is going to be available as a 7-passenger vehicle with captain's chairs in the second row or as an 8-passenger with a bench second row. Even without folding the rear seats flat, there's enough space to put an average cooler in the trunk.
First introduced in 2002, the Honda Pilot is designed and engineered for the US market. So far, 1.4 million models have been sold, but demand slipped 15% last year. We expect huge interest in the 3-row Honda SUV once sales start this summer.