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The Pilot charts a course on the heading M-D-X.
What It Is: Honda’s lengthy-overdue replacement for the aging Pilot crossover, caught testing in what seems to be production-ready bodywork, complete with Honda badges. Of course, we cannot make out much of the sheetmetal due to the fact these prototypes snapped by our spy photographers are generously covered in loose black camouflage.
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Why It Matters: The present Pilot has existed in far more or less the exact same standard form since 2009, with its only update coming in the 2012 model year, when Honda stripped the SUV of its bizarre-searching “cyborg” grille remedy. Nearly 6 years ago, the Pilot actually drove away from the competitors, getting had a considerable head-start off on most 3-row-crossover competitors. Just about everyone has now abandoned the truck-based body-on-frame format for the lighter and more carlike crossover blueprint, and Honda’s edge in the segment has dulled. Getting placed dead last in its most recent comparison test, the Pilot needs to re-establish Honda as the go-to brand for 3-row, mid-size crossovers.
Platform: In the past, the Pilot has shared its bones with Acura’s MDX luxury crossover, and the fundamental profile of this test mule indicates that will continue to be the case. There is a lot a lot more rear overhang on this prototype than on past Pilots, and the wheelbase-to-overhang relationships are really current-gen MDX. Underneath, what handful of suspension pieces are visible look really similar to those on the MDX, specifically at the rear. The roof appears longer, suggesting that the new Pilot’s third-row seats might offer you improved space and comfort.
Only a handful of specifics are visible by means of the Pilot’s camouflage, but from what we can see, the SUV’s styling will incorporate a mix of new and old cues. The taillights appear to mimic the squarish units on today’s model, even though the headlights have morphed into sleek, horizontal, Accord-like pieces. From exactly where we sit, it looks like there’s perhaps 1 grille opening as well several on the front finish, but we’ll require to wait for the camouflage to come off to pass final judgment. One particular thing’s for sure: The outgoing Pilot’s Automoblox look is dead and gone. It should for the 1st time in a even though, carry a familial resemblance to Honda’s smaller CR-V compact and HR-V subcompact crossovers.
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Powertrain: Just as the Pilot these days provides only a single engine, so, also, will the new model. We don’t see something other than Honda’s latest direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 providing motivation to the front wheels or—optionally—all 4 wheels. We anticipate the current Pilot’s AWD technique to continue in the new version of the crossover from a price standpoint, Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive with rear-axle torque-vectoring is most likely off-limits for Hondas.
When it comes to transmissions, nonetheless, Honda may have a slew of selections from the Honda/Acura components bin. The Pilot most likely will get the exact same 6-speed automatic utilised by the Accord V-6. On the other hand, fuel-economy specifications are acquiring tougher, so the ZF-constructed 9-speed automatic from the 2015 Acura TLX V-6 sedan ought to be mighty tempting for Honda item planners. In that car, the transmission bolts up to—you guessed it—the Accord’s 3.5-liter V-6. The only hitch is that Acura could potentially claim the ZF ’box for itself: The brand had to pony up significant cash to tweak the ubiquitous Honda V-6 block to accept the ZF transmission in the TLX. But any opportunity to amortize these expenses over more cars (such as the Pilot) would make sense.
Competition: Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander.
Estimated Arrival and Value: Provided the bodywork beneath these Pilots’ coverup is production-prepared (or close to it), we can expect the 2016 Pilot to debut very soon. The Los Angeles auto show in the fall would line up nicely with an on-sale date in early 2015. Given the competitive nature of the mid-size-crossover segment, don’t anticipate any upward movement on the Pilot’s present $ 30,700 base cost.
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