2016 Honda Pilot: For When You Feel The CR-V Is Too Small

At the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, the all-new third-generation Honda Pilot made its debut, featuring a new design, powertrain options, and technologies to match as well. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Honda Pilot is the largest SUV available from Honda with three-row seating. That makes it even larger than the Honda CR-V we have here.

Exterior

The exterior receives a more modern and sleek look to it, incorporating LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights. From the side, you’ll see 20-inch alloys and as a first-ever, a panoramic roof option is available as well.

Interior

Moving inside, the cabin features soft-touch materials everywhere. Passengers at the front and second-row can benefit from heated and ventilated seats. Pilot models of a specific trim will be available with two second-row captain’s chairs, providing easy access between the second and third rows.

Interior space is abundant to complement the Pilot’s size. Honda say that a 77.6 litres cooler in the trunk without having the need to fold the third-row seats down. Aside from that, there are several storage compartments littered around the cabin.

Features

Much like the recently launched Honda HR-V here in Malaysia, the Pilot comes with a variety of connectivity and power points, perfect for every gadget a family might own. With up to five USB ports, AUX jack, HDMI port, two headphone jacks, two 12-volt power outlets, and a 115-volt power outlet, you could even bring along your gaming console for a ride.

Infotainment options come in the form of an 8-inch touchscreen Android-based unit. Aside from its usual duties, Honda’s navigation system is included as well. HondaLink, the connected car system is present to pair your smartphone to the vehicle and as an option, a 9-inch rear entertainment system with DVD and Blu-Ray capability is available.

Powertrain

Powered by a 3.5-litre direct injection i-VTEC V6 engine and paired to either a 6-speed automatic transmission or Honda’s first 9-speed auto, the Pilot also includes fuel efficiency features including Idle Stop.

Safety

A suite of technologies make up the safety and driver-assistive Honda Sensing system here. It includes: Honda's LaneWatch display, blind spot Indicators, a standard multi-angle rear view camera, and available Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and a Honda-first Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system.

Other standard safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control.