WASHINGTON — Gone is the boxy old Pilot we’ve come to know so well over the years. The new Pilot is rounded and sleek. The look says crossover and not SUV any longer.
I admit I’m probably one of the few that will miss the old SUV look. Prices start at around $30,000 and work all the way to $47,000 for a fully loaded AWD model.
But after just a few minutes of driving this new Pilot, I thought more Acura MDX than old Pilot and my frown was quickly turned upside down. The ride is very good. It has more of a luxury feel to it. Most bumps don’t upset the ride and there’s no flex or creaking over bigger bumps. The 3.5 liter V6 pulls the Pilot around smartly and the nine-speed transmission does mostly a good job, though sometimes it’s caught in the wrong gear and takes a bit to catch up. You can even tow up to 5,000 pounds on some AWD models if you pay for the towing package. This rather large vehicle — maybe not as big as the GM trio of larger crossovers — drives smaller than it is.
The exterior looks more like the redesigned CR-V up front, and looks better on this larger size vehicle. The Pilot doesn’t stand out like it did before, but I really think the new look will appeal to more buyers. My tester was the top-of-the-line Elite trim package with larger 20-inch wheels and LED lighting, which helps the styling and conveys a more premium look outside. There is chrome trim around the windows, door handles and the rear bumper that adds a little pop to the more rounded Pilot.
The interior received as much attention as the outside of the new Pilot. On the upper trim level, it was luxury car-nice inside — almost along the lines of luxury Acura MDX — a big step up from the last Pilot. The front leather seats are heated, ventilated and comfortable. The second row of seats are captain’s chairs on this trim level — also comfortable, heated seats and a good place to watch the DVD screen that comes standard on this model. The third row is usable. It’s not the largest opening or easiest to get back there, even with the second row moved out of the way. But there is a good amount of space in this Pilot — it’s now one of the larger in its class.
The 2016 Honda Pilot Elite is a much-improved crossover with many features and nicely appointed interior. The Pilot is worth a bit of your shopping time when looking for a family crossover. It might have lost that SUV look but it gained status as a well-groomed vehicle that’s like buying a bargain luxury crossover.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
