2016 Honda Pilot Elite Release Date

2016 Honda Pilot Elite Release Date - The 2016 Honda Pilot interior boasts soft-touch surfaces on the dash and doors, which combine with on-road quiet and comfortable seats for a sophisticated feel. The comfort combines with practicality with a generous cargo area, and a huge center console bin with plenty of storage space.

Thankfully, Honda has finally ditched its ancient navigation system for one from Garmin, although not everyone will like the cartoonish colors. The 2nd-row seats are comfortable, and the one-touch folding mechanism borrowed from the Acura MDX eases 3rd-row access.

We also like the multiple USB ports (up to five), and the available HD rear-entertainment system.

The basic front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2016 Honda Pilot LX comes standard with a multi-angle rearview camera and a tire-pressure-monitoring system that flashes the lights when you've filled a tire to its proper pressure.

Cruise control, audio and phone controls are all located on the steering wheel, and all Pilots come with Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch information screen between the gauges, push-button start, and an Eco mode to help fuel economy.

Still, it's worth upgrading to at least the EX model, which adds Honda's Intelligent Traction Management system, an upgraded audio system that includes HondaLink, and Honda's clever LaneWatch right-side-view camera.

The new Honda Pilot breaks most of its options into different models. For example, if you want things like dynamic guidelines on your rearview camera, you'll have to step up to the EX model. If you want leather, you're in EX-L territory.

The 9-speed automatic is standard once you get to Touring and Elite models. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on all models, except for Elite, where it's standard. Also available on all new Honda Pilot models (besides LX) is the Honda Sensing suite of collision and road-departure mitigation and warning, lane-departure warning, active cruise and lane-keeping assist.

The 2016 Pilot is up to 300 pounds lighter than the model it replaces, while simultaneously 12-percent more powerful and, objectively, much more beautiful. And just in time for the nouveau-yuppie economy of everyday luxury, a new top trim level, Elite, adds a rear-seat glass roof, LED headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, and captain’s chairs for the second row.

2016 Honda Pilot Elite Release Date

The curvier exterior design comes after customer clinics ranked the 2015 Pilot’s boxy styling much lower than its competitors’, according to Honda. Whereas previous Pilots were designed to appeal to a ruggedness absent in the related Odyssey minivan, the third-generation Pilot trades out the t-square in favor of curvy, feminine lines.

The interior of the 2016 Pilot follows a similar trend, now appearing more stylish and passenger-focused than ever. The driving position straddles the friendliness and comfort of a minivan with the upright attitude befitting of an SUV, featuring a taller and wider version of the Accord’s familiar dashboard.

Diligent fitness gurus will agree with Honda product planners that, no matter the potential for outward-facing change, you’re still working to strengthen the same core powerplant. That explains why the 3.5-liter V-6 engine’s displacement remains the same, but comes with a minimal increase in horsepower, up from 250 to 280-hp.

2016 Honda Pilot Elite Release Date

Other improvements include a cabin that is much more refined and competitive than before, with softer materials all around. The access to the third row is improved, so even adults can get back there more easily than before.

Cargo space behind the third row is 1.3″ longer than before, and even more spacious when you flip the stowable lid covering the deep storage area below. If you have a lot of stuff to put behind the third row, the Pilot has more room than almost any midsize competitor. You’d have to go to a minivan or huge full size SUV to do much better. And there are lots more charging outlets for all those devices, too!

The 2016 Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with the Honda Sensing Package. In addition, it earned the top “Good” rating in each individual crash test and a “Superior” front crash protection score. There are not yet any crash testing results from NHTSA.

As for features, there are a full array of airbags and standard safety features, like a multi-angle backup camera and hands-free bluetooth for taking calls on the road. Only the base LX trim lacks optional advanced safety features.

On the EX and EX-L, the Honda Sensing package offers a great array of safety enhancements as an option. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking that qualifies it for the top IIHS rating, a Road Departure Mitigation system, Forward Collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

These are standard on the Touring and Elite trims. EX, EX-L and Touring models also have the nice Honda LaneWatch system, which is like a larger passenger side rear-view mirror that appears on the center console screen making it easier to make lane changes and turns to the right. Oddly, the blind spot and cross traffic alert systems are only available on the top Elite trim.