2016 Honda Pilot - A Marvel Beyond Compare

The 2016 Honda Pilot is completely redesigned from top to bottom, with a new, sleeker look and a revised powertrain for better fuel economy and power. But for all of Honda’s big-picture changes to this midsize SUV, most Pilot buyers will be more intrigued to find out about the crossover’s family-friendly details that give it even more practicality and versatility than before. Here are few of the best new features on the 2016 Honda Pilot.

Active safety featuresThe old Honda Pilot was decidedly behind the times in terms of safety technology, but the new model remedies that with its available suite of Honda Sensing active safety technologies including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a rear cross-traffic alert. Expect these features to be available as an option package on the higher-trim versions of the 2016 Honda Pilot.

Engine start/stop

Honda is targeting best-in-class fuel economy for the 2016 Pilot and its new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and a newly available engine start-stop system will be offered for the first time. This system will be offered in versions of the Pilot equipped with the nine-speed automatic transmission that’s also in the Acura TLX and MDX, and should help improve EPA city fuel economy from the current AWD Pilot’s low 17-mpg rating.

Panoramic sunroof

Rear-seat passengers will get some extra sunlight thanks to the new Pilot’s optional panoramic sunroof that stretches over the second-row seats. This glass panel is fixed, but does have a movable shade, and there’s still a traditional sliding sunroof over the front seats.

Walk-in second-row seats

The third-row seats aren't just roomier than before, they’re also easier to access thanks to a new flip-and-fold feature for the second row seats. A button on the seatback slides and tilts the standard second-row bench seat to provide a wide opening to get into the way back. The 2016 Honda Pilot also offers second-row captain’s chairs for the first time, reducing seating capacity to seven but providing second-row passengers with heated seats and a center console.

Pushbutton shifter
Just like the 2015 Acura TLX, 2016 Honda Pilot models with the nine-speed automatic transmission will have a new pushbutton shifter design that frees up more space on the center console. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel and a special "Sport" driving mode will also be standard on Pilots so equipped.