2016 Honda Pilot

The price for the SUV starts at $30,345 and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 motor that is standard across the trim levels. The SUV goes up against the likes of the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and the Nissan Pathfinder.

The 2016 Honda Pilot is offered in five trim levels- LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Each trim can be configured with a four-wheel drive for around $1,800 except the Elite trim which comes with a four-wheel drive as standard. Although the lower trims have ample features, some desirable features can only be found on higher trims like the one-touch seats which are only available on EX-L or higher trims.

We recommend

We would recommend the EX trim since it offers a plethora of features over the base trim with a mild price bump.

The 3.5L V6 under the hood of the 2016 Honda Pilot churns out a maximum of 280 horsepower along with 262 lb-ft of torque, a commendable set of figures for a crossover SUV. Lower trims are equipped with six-speed transmission whereas higher trims like the Touring and Elite come standard with the new nine-speed transmission which currently seems to be slow and unrefined. 

Overall, the motor is punchy and offers best-in-class acceleration at 6.2 seconds to reach 60 mph. However, the brakes are disappointing as the Pilot needs 128 feet of distance before it comes to a halt from 60 mph. The Ford Explorer has the highest horsepower rating here and is quite close to the Pilot in terms of acceleration prowess and braking performance as well. The Toyota Highlander and the Nissan Pathfinder offer slightly more lethargic acceleration times but have better braking performance than the Honda Pilot.

EPA has rated the standard 2016 Honda Pilot with the six-speed transmission and front-wheel-drive at 19/27/22 and with four-wheel drive at 18/26/21 for city, highway, and combined mileage tests. Although the nine-speed transmission does help to improve fuel efficiency it's not by a significant margin.

The Nissan Pathfinder offers the best mileage figures here yet the redesigned Pilot has a slightly lower city mileage than the former. The fuel tank can hold 19.5 gallons of gasoline hence offers some decent driving range as well. The Ford Explorer has the lowest fuel economy numbers here while the Toyota Highlander is at par with both the Honda Pilot and the Nissan Pathfinder.

The most impressive part about the new Honda Pilot is the interior. The spacious three-row cabin has comfortable seats, ample space for storage, and great build quality. The third row can actually be used by adults however, it’s comfortable for only two passengers while three can feel a bit cramped. There is more than adequate headroom and legroom for the passengers inside the cabin and the dashboard controls are within the reach of the driver for greater convenience.

The cargo capacity is impressive at 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down. The Ford Explorer and the Nissan Pathfinder take the top spot in terms of front-seat headroom but is at par with the competition on the remaining aspects. The Toyota Highlander has the most cramped third-row but the robustness of its cabin is praiseworthy. Some interior features include:

• Tri-zone Automatic Climate Control
• Keyless Ignition
• Cruise Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Interior Air Filtration
• Leather Steering Wheel

How intuitive is the 2016 Honda Pilot’s infotainment unit?

The 2016 Honda Pilot gets a fairly-equipped infotainment system in its base form. The system on offer consists of a 5.0-inch display screen along with some basic features such as a seven-speaker sound system, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity along with an auxiliary audio jack and a USB port. 

The higher trims get an 8.0-inch touchscreen display and some additional features such as HondaLink smartphone integration, an upgraded seven-speaker sound system along with satellite radio, and Pandora Internet radio control. Some of the Infotainment features are:

• HD Radio
• Blu-Ray/DVD Player
• Audio/Video Remote Control Remote Control
• Pandora radio controls
• USB Ports
• Smartphone Integration(higher trims)

From the outside, the 2015 Honda Pilot looks completely different and gets that much-needed modern design language like the rest of the rivals. The 2016 Pilot is curvier than before, both the front and rear fascia are now smoother in favor of an elegant design language. The front end now wears a sportier look than before while the rear end design is surprisingly simple.

The Toyota Highlander is the most compact SUV here in terms of exterior dimensions but it offers the best ground clearance at 8.0-inch, making it the most off-road friendly offering here. The Ford Explorer gets a boxy and old-school SUV design while the Nissan Pathfinder continues with its old yet rugged exterior appeal. Some exterior features are:

• 18-inch Alloy Wheels
• Rear Spoilers
• Chrome Fenders
• LED running lights
• Rear privacy glass
• Automatic headlamps

Honda has always prioritized the safety aspect in almost all its vehicles and the 2016 Honda Pilot is no different. The SUV secured a perfect 5-star rating from the NHTSA and an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS as well. Some of the standard safety techs include traction control, stability control, front-side airbags, side curtain airbags, and a rearview camera. The Honda LaneWatch system is optional on the base trim but is standard on the EX, EX-L, and the Touring trims. Some Safety Features are:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Blind Spot Information System
• Cross Traffic Monitor

The 2016 Honda Pilot seems to be taking the newly popular crossover SUV segment by storm with its elegant styling, punchy motor, and one of the best cabins in the market. Every step Honda took while redesigning the Pilot seems to be a hit with the customers. The strength of the Pilot is its versatility which is lacking in many of its competitors.