Honda reveals all-new Pilot SUV

Honda premiered the all-new Pilot SUV at the Chicago Auto Show, aiming to continue the family and driver-friendly reputation of its predecessors. One thing’s for certain: the new Pilot won’t win any beauty contests. The exterior looks like an inflated CR-V, especially the headlamps and grille, and general bulbous profile. An upward kink after the C-pillar and various creases in the sheet metal try to make the car “commanding and muscular.” (Honda’s description)

The new car is chock full of features including LED headlamps with auto high beam, LED daytime running lights and taillights, 20-inch wheels, and panoramic roof. In contrast to the humdrum exterior, the interior looks like one of the best in the class. Front seats will have cooling and heating ability. Even the second row seats are heated. Captain’s chairs will be an option. Maximum seating capacity is 8 persons.

Pilot will have more sockets than your bedroom: five USB ports (four with 2.5-amp output) for charging devices, aux jack, HDMI port for gaming, two headphone jacks, two 12-volt outlets and one 115-volt outlet. An 8-inch display will be standard, with electronics based on Android OS. 9-inch screen with Blu-ray player is available. An iPad will fit in the large center console.

Exterior length has been stretched by 89mm, and width of the third-row entryway widened by 64mm, with 25 mm lower stop-over height.

Propoulsion is still via the 3.5-liter VTEC V6 with cylinder deactivation technology, paired with a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic. Too bad there’s no turbo four-cylinder engine for now. The new drivetrain, together with a weight loss of almost 133 kg, helps deliver better fuel economy. Pilot we be produced in North America—so sorry, no Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement tax-reduced Pilots in the near future.