2020 Honda Pilot: What’s Changed?

Most significant changes: New top-of-the-line Black Edition trim level

Price change: $200-$300 for existing trim levels; Black Edition is $1,500 more than next-highest Elite trim

On sale: Now

Which should you buy, 2019 or 2020? Unless you’re set on getting the Black Edition, all of the Pilot’s significant recent updates happened to the 2019 model. Stick with that one.

Following a refresh for the 2019 model year, Honda has given the Pilot, its flagship SUV, a new top trim level. Called the Black Edition, it costs $1,500 more than the Elite trim, the Pilot’s next highest, and adds some style and flair to an SUV getting a bit long in the tooth.

Related: 2020 Honda Pilot Review: Showing Its Age

The Black Edition is only available with Crystal Black Pearl paint, and it features a number of black accents around the exterior and 20-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, yes, there’s lots of black materials, but also some red stitching and red accents on the front seats and second-row captain’s chairs.

Beyond the Black Edition, the Pilot remains largely unchanged for 2020. Regardless of trim level, power comes from a 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. The V-6 is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission in LX, EX and EX-L models, and a nine-speed automatic in the Touring, Elite and Black Edition. All-wheel drive is still an option on the LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trim levels (for an additional $2,000); it’s standard on the Elite and Black Edition. 

Standard on all trim levels is the Honda Sensing suite of safety technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and road departure mitigation. All trims but the LX also include blind spot monitoring.

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If you’re looking for a more menacing-looking Pilot for … whatever possible reason would make you want that (we won’t judge) … go for the 2020 Pilot Black Edition. Otherwise, you’re better off grabbing a 2019 model.

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