2016 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot has never been a vehicle that inspires people to chase you down to find out what it is you are driving. Nor will the newest, completely redesigned 2016 edition. But its boxy looks are certainly improved, making it a genuinely attractive vehicle.
 
The new Pilot is offered in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The first four are front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive optional. The Elite comes in all-wheel drive only.
 
The 2016 Pilot has a more refined interior, particularly in the new range-topping Elite trim, which seats seven passengers when equipped with second-row captain’s chairs and features just about every imaginable suite of convenience and technology offerings.
 
Honda got rid of the acres of hard plastic in touch-point areas and has put more controls for audio and climate on the center touch-screen.
 
The new Pilot also was built to keep you and your passengers safer in the event of a crash with technology designed to prevent you from getting into a crash in the first place. Called Honda Sensing, the driver-assist tools include adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning/mitigation that alerts you to pedestrians and stopped cars. It even automatically applies the brakes to avoid a crash or reduce its severity. The Pilot has also earned the highest possible overall 5-star crash test results from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+.
 
I tested an Elite trim model and found it to have an excellent blend of performance, handling, comfort, and economy. It feels exceptionally solid on the road.
 
Every trim level comes with a 3.5-liter, 280-horsepower, V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, or a 9-speed automatic transmission available on higher-level trims.
 
With the Pilot, Honda delivers a superb, near-luxury, three-row crossover that is exceptionally well built, eminently practical, and available with a full complement of state-of-the-art technology.