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The 2019 Honda Pilot has been refreshed and hasn’t lost any functionality. But it’s the new standard safety assists that make it stellar.
What’s New for the 2019 Honda Pilot?
The 2019 Honda Pilot has received some needed mechanical and design refreshes, and it’s all for good. But, by far, the best change is Honda’s decision to include its standard safety suite on every model and every trim. From the least expensive Pilot LX to the fully loaded Elite, Honda understands that every buyer deserves protection, not just the ones who can spend the most money.
2019 Honda Pilot – hondanews.com | Shop 2019 Honda Pilot on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
We like the powertrain
Standard safety equipment
Good ride and handling
Plenty of passenger space
The exterior feels dated
2019 Pilot Specs
- 280 horsepower from base engine
- 262 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 18.5 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 109.2 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- Standard Honda Sensing Suite on every trim
- Rear passenger entertainment available
- Towing capacity of 1,500 lbs
2019 Honda Pilot Powertrain
Although there are minor updates to the 2019 Honda Pilot, the 3.5-liter I4 engine and 6-speed automatic stay the same, but there’s an updated 9-speed transmission available. Honda Pilot owners have often complained about the previous 9-speed’s harsh shifting. Honda says this new update should provide the smooth shifts that feel more SUV than sports car, appropriate.
If you’ve never driven a Pilot, you’ll be surprised at the 3.5-liter engine’s ability to move this chunky 8-passenger SUV down the road. It quickly gets sub seven seconds to 60 mph and giving you the power when you need to pass.
Should you choose to add Honda’s intelligent AWD system, you’ll benefit from the torque-vectoring that helps put down power to the wheels with the best traction. We don’t suggest you take it to the track, but the Pilot can help you corner better in the dry and provide a good measure of safety in slippery conditions.
One thing to understand is that the 2019 Honda Pilot isn’t going to have Land Rover’s next-level off-road capabilities, but for a family SUV, it takes care of you over the dirt and gravel roads. You should be able to find extra help with the four available different driving modes.
Honda’s AWD will also quietly redistribute 70% of its power to the wheels that have better traction, so you should be able to do some moderate “climbing”. Even if you never take it off-road, the Pilot’s AWD will provide you with a broad measure of safety and confidence on any surface.
2019 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy & MPG
Your fuel economy will vary slightly, depending on your transmission. The LX 6-speed with front-wheel-drive will get an EPA estimated 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. If you add all-wheel drive, you can subtract one mile per gallon, which is pretty impressive.
The EPA says the new 9-speed automatic transmission-equipped trims will get 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with the same one mpg drop in gas mileage for the all-wheel-drive.
Towing & Payload
The 2019 Honda Pilot can carry eight people and tow as much as 5,000 pounds with no problems. However, over the years, Honda has received some complaints about its brakes when towing, so take careful consideration if you’re going to haul a trailer consistently. Depending on the weight of what you’re towing, you may want to look elsewhere for a more dedicated tow beast.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Like all Honda’s, attention to detail and quality materials are evident throughout the cabin. The interior is still on the conservative design side compared to newer models, but it’s hard to match how the Honda Pilot controls feel at this price point. Everything has a quality touch.
The comfortable driver and passenger seats are heated and ventilated in the Elite, but still comfortable in the other trims. Second-row captain’s chairs now available in the Touring trim, upstage the front passenger seats with the available LCD entertainment system and USB ports. But strangely enough, USB ports aren’t available in the 3rd row. Rear passengers also have the benefits of window shades. However, those shades aren’t available in the EX and LX trims.
Once you start the 2019 Honda Pilot up, you’ll discover that the quietness you experience when parked continues while on the highway. This is because Honda has worked hard to keep wind and road noise out of the cabin by adding acoustic windshield glass and side window acoustic glass on upper trims.
Honda continues to keep the Pilot’s interior relevant and functional for the needs of a family through its liberal use of cubbies and storage compartments. It’s not the most stylish on the inside, but you can be sure that it’s highly functional.
Entertainment & Technology
For 2019, the Honda Pilot continues with its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, but seems to have, thankfully, updated the OS for better response. As a result, you’ll be able to move quickly through the happy Honda operating system with the large volume knob. Honda has also done a great job with its iPhone-like ability to pinch and zoom, so it controls will be very familiar to you. And, to no one’s surprise, Honda’s infotainment menus are clear and straightforward.
Honda says they’ve upgraded the sound system on every trim. Everyone but the Elite and Touring owners get a very nice sounding six-speaker sound system with a subwoofer. Touring and Elite models get a ten-speaker system and a subwoofer that’s powered with 590 watts.
Rear passengers will enjoy the larger-screened entertainment system and a Blu-Ray disc player. Also included are HDMI jacks, a power outlet, and USB charging ports. So, bring the gaming console and have at it.
Lastly, although not high-tech, it’s worth mentioning that Honda has brought over the Odyssey’s CabinTalk system that lets you quietly encourage obedience from the back passengers over an intercom system. It’s great fun for a while, but I’m guessing it’ll be love-hate for the children. Nevertheless, we think it’s genius.
Safety Features
We’ve often complained about manufacturers reserving safety assists for those who can spend the most money, but Honda has turned all of that around. HondaSensing is standard on every 2019 Honda Pilot. Regardless of whether you have the base LX or Elite, you’ll get forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and lane departure warnings.
The only systems reserved for the Elite and EX are blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alerts. HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge service packages continue to be exclusive to the Elite and Touring models.
2019 Honda Pilot Trims & Pricing
LX – $32,495
The base model Pilot LX has a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is an option that also lets you tow up to 5,000 lbs. In addition, you get the Honda Sensing Safety Suite with collision mitigation, road departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The LX also has remote keyless entry, push-button start, steering wheel audio controls, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a multiple angle rearview camera.
EX – $35,375
The 2019 Honda Pilot EX comes standard with a new 225-watt sound system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection. Also included is an upgraded rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and Honda’s intelligent traction management.
EX-L – $38,805
The 2019 Honda Pilot adds sunshades, leather seats, an acoustic windshield, a moonroof, and a power tailgate.
Touring – $43,565
The 2019 Honda Pilot Touring adds top features like the updated 9-speed automatic transmission, acoustic glass on the front doors, and an upgraded ten-speaker sound system with 590 watts.
Elite – $49,065
The 2019 Honda Pilot Elite brings you standard all-wheel drive, a panoramic roof, a wireless phone charger, and ventilated front-row seats.
Warranties
All Honda’s have an inspirational 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, plus a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. Unfortunately, Honda hasn’t yet included a Toyota-style complimentary scheduled maintenance.
What we think
2019 Honda Pilot – hondanews.com | Shop 2019 Honda Pilot on Carsforsale.com
Although the Pilot isn’t the most exciting-looking 8-passenger SUV, we would be very hard-pressed to find a more entertaining, practical, and reliable vehicle for families. The 2019 Honda Pilot acts like a much smaller vehicle while providing all the space and technology needed to transport family and friends safely.
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