The Honda Pilot has lengthy been a can’t-go-wrong possibility within the three-row crossover phase. The third-generation mannequin launched in 2016, and its mixture of a roomy, well-built inside, sturdy engine and competent dealing with chops made it interesting to households.However that does not imply it was excellent. The Pilot’s nine-speed automated transmission was vulnerable to incessantly hunt for gears, and there have been some infotainment-related complaints to talk of. None of those issues had been whole deal breakers, thoughts you, however Honda nonetheless wanted to deal with these points.
Enter the 2019 Pilot. It could not appear all that completely different at first blush, however with brisker styling, in addition to quite a few tech and powertrain revisions, Honda’s well-rounded Pilot is best suited to duke it out within the extremely aggressive three-row crossover class.Massaged designNone of right this moment’s giant, household crossovers boast a design that’ll get your pulse racing, however the Pilot stays one of many better-looking specimens on the market. Mild adjustments for 2019 encompass a brand new fascia with redone grille, a more healthy serving to of chrome trim and bigger fog lights. Out again, there is a new bumper, taillights and extra chrome as effectively.
Heading inside, eagle-eye Pilot consultants could pick the brand new vent trim and wider fold-down entrance armrests. The gauge cluster now includes a bigger, 7-inch (up from four.2-inch) TFT show, managed by revised steering wheel controls which are tremendous straightforward to make use of.All the pieces else concerning the cabin largely carries over unchanged. All rows of seats are comfy, with high quality supplies all through, and the way-back third row is definitely fairly straightforward to get out and in of. With regards to hauling stuff, there’s 16.5 cubic ft of house behind the third row, which grows to 46.Eight with it folded. Flip the second row captain’s seats down and you will have practically 84 cubic ft of actual property that ought to swallow absolutely anything.Minus new bumpers, grille and lightweight remedies, the surface of the 2019 Pilot is not too completely different.
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Stronger techWith the exception of the bottom LX mannequin, all Pilots now come normal with an Eight-inch Show Audio system. The brand new infotainment interface seems to be sharp, is extremely responsive and affords the power to prepare system icons to your liking. Prime-end Touring and Elite trims may even obtain over-the-air updates. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot for as much as seven gadgets are additionally included, however the most effective function of all is, with out query, the return of a bodily quantity knob. It is superb how easy issues like this could actually make an enormous distinction. To assist the parental items in entrance keep order within the again, the CabinTalk function from the Honda Odyssey makes it manner into the Pilot. As a substitute of pop screaming on the high of his lungs to inform the youngsters to cease giving one another moist willies, he can now be simply heard by way of the rear audio system through the Bluetooth microphone. Energy ports to cost sensible gadgets should not be an issue, both, with the Elite sporting two USB retailers, two 12-volt retailers and a wi-fi charging pad up entrance. For second-row passengers, there are one other two USB ports, in addition to a family plug situated on the again of the middle console.The Elite’s new Eight-inch Show Audio system is responsive, seems to be good and has a bodily quantity knob!
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For security, each Pilot will get the Honda Sensing suite of options that provides ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane hold help and adaptive cruise management. The Elite additionally will get blind spot monitoring with rear cross site visitors alert, which I at all times recognize having in parking heaps. The one massive disappointment is 360-degree digital camera is just not out there. As a substitute, it solely has a multi-view rearview digital camera with picture high quality that is removed from stellar.Smoother operatorThe Pilot continues to be powered by a superb, three.5-liter V6 engine making a serviceable 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The Elite’s nine-speed automated gearbox can also be altered with new tuning to clean out off-the-line habits and make extra decisive cog adjustments. There’s nonetheless some gear searching every now and then, however general there is a clear uptick in drivetrain refinement that is welcome. Including to that smoother habits is a revised stop-start system, which is now ok that I do not instantly need to flip it off.
With all-wheel drive, the EPA estimates the Pilot Elite will return 19 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 26 mpg on the freeway and 22 mpg mixed. Throughout every week of combined driving, I managed to watch a decent 22.1 mpg with my heavy proper foot, which matches the EPA’s mixed score.
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Contemplating its four,319-pound curb weight, the Pilot is not too dangerous of a nasty handler. Coming into a nook reveals grabby brakes, moderately responsive steering, brisk turn-in response, well-controlled physique roll and good grip from the 245/50R20 Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires. It definitely feels extra composed and possesses higher reflexes than rivals such because the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder.There’s, nevertheless, a draw back to the larger tires. Experience high quality is not magic-carpet-ride clean, that means you may really feel impacts from most ruts and potholes you encounter. The suspension nonetheless softens blows sufficient so issues are removed from harsh, however these on the lookout for extra journey consolation could need to checkout the Pilot LX or EX that come on an 18-inch wheel-and-tire bundle. How I would spec itAs engaging as getting a full-zoot Elite mannequin is, with niceties like a panoramic roof and heated and cooled entrance seats, my take a look at automotive’s $49,015 price ticket, together with $995 for vacation spot, is fairly expensive. To make the dent in my checking account rather less extreme, my preferrred Pilot can be a Touring mannequin with all-wheel drive and a Fashionable Metal paint job, which begins at $45,415. Add within the $500 heated steering wheel for toasty paws within the winter then turns it right into a $45,915 automobile.To avoid wasting a couple of bucks, I am going to take a Pilot Touring as an alternative of the Elite.
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Able to tackle all comersThe updates to the 2019 Honda Pilot not solely make an already sturdy three-row crossover SUV higher, however come at an excellent time to fend off some newer rivals just like the Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas. With beauty each in and out, an improved know-how menu and smoother and refined drive traits, the Pilot is among the many most full and buttoned-up entries within the phase right this moment. It is now a good higher can’t-go-wrong household hauler.