Three years after its initial introduction, Honda’s full-size Pilot SUV has undergone a mid-generational refresh. Highlights include better noise proofing, sharper handling and a reworked infotainment system, although some visual tweaks are also there.
The subdued greenish-grey SUV in the gallery above is a TrailSport spec, while the red one is called Elite. Both sport the same sparse-cell grille design and wear a front bumper with an enlarged central intake. The rugged TrailSport rides on new 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires and boasts a black body kit. The color pictured here is one of the three new finish options available for the new model year.
Inside, the digital dash screen is 10.2 inches large (up from 7) and the central display measures 12.3 inches from corner to corner (up from 9). The infotainment system boasts a revised UI and comes preloaded with Google Services, Wi-Fi, 5G and wireless phone sync features. The tailgate is powered even in the base spec.
Honda points out that the new Pilot rides a fair bit quieter and feels more comfortable thanks to thicker front glass, improved insulation materials in the doors and added padding around the engine bay. The interior noise reduction is estimated at 2–3 decibels.
Steering has been reworked to provide clearer and more immediate feedback to drivers, and the ADAS package has been complemented with an emergency brake automatically triggering post-collision to avoid further damage.
The drivetrain remains the same. A 3.5-liter V6 churns out 289 PS (285 hp / 213 kW) and 355 Nm (262 lb-ft) of torque to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The company’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system remains optional for Sport and EX-L trims and standard for Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition.
