Growing families often realize they need additional space in their cars. The Honda Pilot may be an excellent place to begin. It’s one of the market’s few three-row eight-seaters. Because the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX share the same platform, you can get many of the same features for much less money.
Although the Honda Pilot is similar to the competition in many ways, it still provides excellent reliability and comfort, making it a perfect choice for an eight-seater SUV.
The History of Honda Pilot
Better late than never? When the Honda Pilot debuted for the 2003 model year, it firmly established the Japanese automaker in the midsize SUV market. Previously, Honda did the unthinkable by rebranding the Isuzu Rodeo as the Honda Passport and outsourcing its presence in this family-friendly segment.
The later editions of the Honda Pilot are more extensive, spacious, and expensive than the original. The current-generation Pilot has been praised for its refined driving manners, punchy V-6 engine, and minivan-like cargo capacity and practicality. That’s not surprising, given that the Pilot shares its platform and powertrain with the Honda Odyssey minivan.
While the Pilot may not be as exciting as much as Honda’s Civic Type R, nor does it have the nostalgic glow of the brand’s S2000 sports car, but the three-row SUV is critical to Honda’s current success in the American market. It has also allowed Honda to dabble in the midsize pickup truck and two-row midsize SUV segments.
Honda intends to keep the Pilot party going by releasing a redesigned fourth-generation model before the middle of the decade. To appreciate the Pilot’s future, you must first comprehend its past.
Fuel Economy and Reliability
Hondas have a well-deserved reputation for being among the most dependable vehicles on the road. This is also true of the Honda Pilot.
The naturally aspirated V6 engine provides one advantage in terms of dependability. In most cases, a naturally aspirated V6 engine will outperform a turbocharged engine.
The third-generation Honda Pilot appears to be an excellent reliable option even after the factory warranty expires, with dozens of 5-star reviews on the internet by consumers.
The 2022 Honda Pilot’s EPA fuel economy is 19 cities, 26 highways, and 22 combined mpg. Many owners, however, have reported much lower averages of around 18-20 mpg. You’ll be disappointed if you’re looking for a better MPG than a Prius. Without hybrid technology, achieving improved fuel economy at over 4,000 lbs can be challenging. This technology adds a few thousand dollars to the cost. You can certainly get a reasonable amount of fuel for that price.
Interior Design and Technology
The interior of the 2022 Honda is designed with families in mind. The third-row seating is an excellent feature, but it should only be used for children or short distances. You should be able to load almost anything into its massive cargo area. The base trims only include a display, whereas the EX trim includes satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Navigation is optional on the EX trim but standard on the Touring and Elite levels.
Honda Pilot 2022 – Performance
To handle a broader range of terrains, the Honda Pilot has four driving modes: Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand. You get a little extra in different road or weather conditions thanks to the available Intelligent Traction Management system.
The fearless Pilot is engineered for your unique adventures, from covering rough roads with more ground clearance to turning heads with its sporty style. Black 20-inch wheels, an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, a one-touch power moonroof, and wireless charging are also standard.
Seating and cargo space in the Honda Pilot 2022
Despite its midsize appearance, the Pilot has plenty of interior space, seating up to eight people. It comes with leather-trimmed upholstery, perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, and 60/40 split, flat-foldable bench seats up to the third row.
The cargo space is just as impressive. It has a total capacity of 3,092 liters behind the first row, 1,583 liters behind the second row, and 524 liters behind the third row. The other interior features are a one-touch Panoramic Moonroof, a hands-free power tailgate, and Blue Ambient LED Lighting.
The Luxe
The Elite is luxuriously designed, with perforated, ventilated, and heated front seats and a wireless phone charger. The perforated leather seats in the second row add to the luxury experience for your passengers. It has a variable torque management system in all-wheel drive and rain-sensing windshield wipers, so no more annoying noises from too-fast wipers.
Its ten speakers produce 590 watts of power, and the Elite Pilot also supports audio zoning. For those looking for connectivity, the Elite’s 8-inch infotainment screen can provide a mobile hotspot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The Pilot’s Engine Performance
The latest Honda Pilot’s only engine option is a SOHC 24-valve V-6 with an aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection, and 3.5-liter displacement. It has a powerful 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
The Honda Pilot is equipped with Honda’s suite of safety features, which includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation System, and Adaptive Cruise Control. It is rated five stars by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
According to Car and Driver, the 0-60 mph time is 6.2 seconds, which is impressive considering the vehicle weighs 4,327 lbs. You can’t go wrong with the Pilot, whether with the base model or one of the upgraded trims.
Shop for Your Next Vehicle at Car Credit
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