Honda Releases A Few More Details About the 2016 Pilot
When Honda’s redesigned family hauler debuted at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, the 2016 Pilot turned heads with its radical new styling and comfortable, feature-loaded interior. The update impressed us so much we wondered if it could be the ultimate family vehicle. While looks are important, major details like horsepower figures, fuel economy estimates and cargo specs were missing. Honda revealed one piece of the puzzle today.
Related: 2016 Honda Pilot: First Look
The Pilot’s new direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 makes 280 horsepower. The outgoing Pilot’s 3.5-liter made 250 hp, and it used a five-speed automatic transmission. The new engine is paired with a standard six-speed automatic or an available nine-speed automatic and uses Honda’s variable cylinder management system, which deactivates cylinders to save fuel.
Fuel-economy figures have not been released, but we expect them to be better than the previous model’s18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined rating. Acura’s 2016 MDX three-row crossover uses the same 3.5-liter V-6/nine-speed automatic transmission and is rated at 20/27/23 mpg.
A new top-of-the-line Elite version joins LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trims. The Honda Sensing safety package is new and combines safety systems like the collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. It will be available on EX and EX-L models and standard on Touring and Elite trims.
The new Pilot will go on sale this summer.
