Overview
The SUV is changing, and Honda is leading the way. The current-generation Honda Pilot helps bridge the gap between traditional perceptions of what an SUV should be and the current demands of customers better than nearly anything on the market right now.
The 2018 Honda Pilot is a five-door, mid-size crossover SUV with seating for seven or eight. It’s available in five trim levels (LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite) priced starting at $30,900.* Bluetooth®, push-button start, and a 4.2-inch display screen all come standard. Pilot EX models and above now include Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for additional convenience on the go, and the upper trims offer surprising levels of premium comfort alongside Honda’s quintessential value.
The Perfect Ride for…
Drivers seeking the utility, size, and all-wheel drive dependability of a truck with the style, fuel efficiency, and road manners of a car. And since it’s a Honda, you can count on unbelievable reliability and good value. If you’re looking to liven up the drive to school or gain the admiration of the office carpool, the Pilot is certain to meet your needs.
Drive & Handling
One of the biggest improvements resulting from the model’s most recent redesign is fuel economy. The 2018 Honda Pilot offers remarkably good gas mileage for a pretty large SUV but doesn’t fall short when it comes to capability or driving dynamics.
All Pilot models use a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It boasts Honda’s well-known i-VTEC variable-valve timing system, as well as cylinder deactivation, which temporarily shuts down three cylinders under light loads to cut fuel consumption.
Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. Buyers also get a choice of two transmissions: a six-speed automatic is standard on the LX, EX, and EX-L models, while an all-new nine-speed automatic is offered on the upper-level Touring and Elite models.
With front-wheel drive and the six-speed automatic, the Pilot gets an EPA-rated 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway).** The new nine-speed automatic is the efficiency champ, though. With front-wheel drive, it allows the Pilot to achieve 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway).**
Key Features
8-inch Display Audio Touchscreen
The Pilot comes standard with a 4.2-inch LCD screen, but it’s hard to overstate the convenience of the available 8-inch touchscreen with customizable feature settings (standard on the Pilot EX and above). With the HondaLink® app suite and pinch-and-swipe functionality, you can easily access the latest in music, podcasts, infotainment, and more. Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ allows you to pair your smartphone and access your own media library and contacts directly through the display.
Honda Sensing™
The Pilot is built for passengers, and this available suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies makes it easier to ensure the safety of those who matter most. Honda Sensing™ includes a Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Collision Mitigation System™—all of which work to monitor your environment and nearby drivers and take corrective action when possible to avoid an emergency. Honda Sensing™ comes standard on Pilot Touring and Elite models and is available on EX and EX-L models.
Alternative Options
If you’re looking for a practical crossover with a smaller profile, check out the substantially updated 2018 Honda CR-V. The crossover boasts new styling, a new available turbocharged engine, and new tech that help it to stand out from the competition. If your main priority is space, the 2018 Honda Odyssey delivers style and luxury almost unheard of among minivans.
Gallery
* MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $995.00 destination charge and options. Dealers set own prices.
** 19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD 6-speed automatic. 18 city/26 highway/21 combined mpg rating for AWD 6-speed automatic. 20 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg rating for 2WD 9-speed automatic. 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg rating for AWD 9-speed automatic. Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
Image Credit: Honda
