Honda Pilot: Everything You Need to Know About Its Engine, Transmission, and Interior

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  October 2, 2022
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The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Honda. It debuted in 2002 and has remained a contender in the midsize SUV segment. The Pilot excels at balancing power and comfort while maintaining a classy exterior. It offers a substantial amount of features and comes with a strong warranty.

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the Honda Pilot, including its history, features, and more.

What Makes the Honda Pilot Stand Out?

The Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV manufactured by Honda. It made its debut in 2002 and has since remained in immediate contention with other midsize SUVs. The Pilot excels in balancing power, comfort, and roominess. It is a classy vehicle that offers substantial features and a strong warranty.

Roomy Cabin and Spacious Seating

The Honda Pilot has a roomy cabin that can seat up to eight passengers in three beefy rows. The seating is comfortable and the materials used are of high quality. The Pilot’s redesigned interior offers generous cargo storage space, making it perfect for long road trips or family outings.

Infotainment System and Counters to Outgoing Flaws

The Pilot’s infotainment system is easy to use and comes with optional features such as a rear-seat entertainment system. The outgoing flaws of the previous model have been addressed in the upcoming model, such as the cramped third-row space. The Pilot’s second-row seats can now slide forward to gain more legroom for the third row.

Strong Power and Hybrid Option

The Honda Pilot shares its engine and transmission with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. It has a strong V6 engine that provides immediate power and a quick response. The Pilot also offers a hybrid option for those who want to save on fuel costs.

Competitive Warranty and Standard Features

The Honda Pilot comes with a competitive warranty that includes a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Standard features include a rearview camera, push-button start, and tri-zone automatic climate control.

Storage and Room for Cargo

The Honda Pilot offers substantial cargo storage space, with up to 109 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded down. The Pilot’s cargo area also features a reversible floor panel that can be flipped over to reveal a plastic surface for easy cleaning.

Under the Hood: The Honda Pilot’s Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Honda Pilot offers a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This new engine is available with a six-speed automatic transmission or a nine-speed automatic transmission, depending on the model. The nine-speed automatic transmission is special to the Touring and Elite models, and it greatly improves refinement and fuel economy. The Honda Pilot also comes with a direct-injected engine, which helps to increase power and fuel efficiency.

Transmission and Drive System

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The Honda Pilot’s six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and easy to operate, while the nine-speed automatic transmission offers quicker throttle response and shifts. The steering is also improved, making it more capable of handling any terrain encountered on the trails or near the city. The Honda Pilot comes with a standard front-wheel-drive system, but all-wheel-drive is available on all models. The AWD system is capable of keeping the SUV stable and in control, even in rough terrain.

Fuel Economy and Towing Capacity

The Honda Pilot’s V6 engine comes with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology, which helps to improve fuel economy by automatically switching between three and six cylinders, depending on the driving conditions. The Honda Pilot’s fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Honda Pilot is also capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, making it a great SUV for those who need to haul heavy loads.

Improved Technology and Rugged Looks

The Honda Pilot’s engines are greatly improved from the old models, with the GDI technology and VCM system. The Honda Pilot’s rugged looks are also a shot in the arm, with the black steel wheels and large grille. The Honda Pilot also offers plenty of modern technology, such as the Honda Sensing safety suite, which includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning. The Honda Pilot also comes with a special auto start-stop system, which helps to save fuel by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped.

Capable of Everyday Driving and Off-Road Adventures

The Honda Pilot’s engines and transmission make it a great SUV for everyday driving, with plenty of power and smooth handling. The Honda Pilot is also capable of off-road adventures, with its AWD system and rugged looks. The Honda Pilot has proved capable of handling any terrain encountered on the trails or near the city. The Honda Pilot is a great SUV for those who want a vehicle that can handle anything they throw at it.

Settle in for a Comfortable Ride: The Honda Pilot’s Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Honda Pilot’s interior is spacious and luxurious, making it a perfect family car. The cabin is well-designed and features high-quality materials that give it a premium feel. The seats are comfortable, and the driver’s seat is adjustable, making it easy to find the perfect driving position. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward, providing extra legroom for passengers. The third-row seats are also spacious and can comfortably accommodate adults.

Comfortable Ride

The Honda Pilot’s suspension system is designed to provide a comfortable ride, even on rough roads. The car’s noise insulation is excellent, making it a quiet ride. The climate control system is also efficient, ensuring that the cabin is always at the right temperature.

Generous Cargo Space

The Honda Pilot’s cargo space is generous, making it perfect for families who need to carry a lot of luggage. The car has a total cargo capacity of 109 cubic feet, which is more than enough for most families. The cargo area is also well-designed, with a low load floor and a wide opening, making it easy to load and unload luggage.

Some additional insights to consider:

  • The Honda Pilot’s interior is designed to be family-friendly, with plenty of storage compartments and cup holders.
  • The car’s infotainment system is easy to use and features a large touchscreen display.
  • The Honda Pilot also features a rear-seat entertainment system, making it perfect for long road trips with kids.
  • The car’s safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning, add an extra layer of comfort and security for passengers.

Conclusion

So, that’s the Honda Pilot? A midsize SUV manufactured by Honda, which has remained the immediate contention of the midsize SUV market since its debut in 2002. The Pilot excels balancing power and comfort with roominess, and offers a luxurious vehicle with a classy interior making it perfect for long road trips with the family. Plus, the Pilot offers a competitive warranty standard features and a spacious cargo area for hauling heavy loads. So, if you’re looking for a SUV that can handle everyday driving and road adventures, the Honda Pilot is the vehicle for you!

Also read: these are the best trash cans for the Honda Pilot

I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.