The 2016 Honda Pilot was initially revealed at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show and quickly gained popularity among the Emiratis on its launch here, courtesy to its updated exterior design and spacious interior. It competes directly with some of the famous SUVs in the UAE, such as, Ford Explorer, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Santa Fe.
In the GCC markets, the Honda Pilot 2016 is accessible in 4 grades; EX-2WD, EX-4WD, EX-L 4WD and Touring 4WD. I got the chance to test drive the range-topping Touring trim, and below are my findings.
Walk Around
Let’s examine this beauty from all angles before taking it for a spin. Although it is designed to appear elegant and sophisticated, the front
fascia makes it look sporty. The chrome grille on the front combined with LED projection lights, fog lamps and the aggressive front bumper adds value to the overall athletic nature of this SUV. The Pilot Touring grade benefits from sleek 20 inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler to improve the aerodynamics.
I wouldn’t call it a compact SUV, since it has an overall length x width of 4964 x 1772 mm, which is fairly large, therefore also extends the headroom and legroom for the passengers.
Cockpit Impression
As I mentioned earlier, the size of 2016 Pilot is huge and also bigger than its predecessor, so the cabin is more spacious this time around. It is very relaxing for a tall individual like me who is not very comfortable driving compact crossovers. It comes with a 3 row seating, where the last two rows can be completely folded to get 109.2 cu.ft storage.
The front dash of the 2016 Honda Pilot is intuitively designed with a sharp 8-inch LCD display, an audio system and auto tri-zone air conditioning. Furthermore, the passengers in the rear seats can enjoy movies through the rear 9-inch entertainment display.
Engine Specifications of 2016 Honda Pilot
Under the hood, the Honda Pilot 2016 carries a 3.5L V6 i-VTEC powertrain that churns out 280 horsepower and 355 Nm of torque. It is available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive, but this Touring grade we are testing is a four wheel version featuring the Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system. All the trims have the same engine and the power output.
Driving Dynamics
Starting the ignition with a push button, the engine makes a pleasing noise, which really sets the mood right. The infotainment system also starts showing all the important details like the fuel, mileage, RMP and the selected drive mode. For a regular drive, I set the Traction management mode to Normal and noticed a smooth and relaxing drive. The electronic power steering made cruising around sharp corners very convenient. The cabin features Active Noise Cancellation technology, so noises from outside cannot be heard, ensuring a comfortable drive experience.
Surprisingly, the fuel economy of 2016 Honda Pilot is incredibly impressive. The EPA estimated fuel economy ratings were city/highway, 19/27 mpg, but in our test drive, it consumed around 11.6 liters over the distance of 100 kilometers.
I didn’t get a chance to check the Snow drive mode, but on the desert Safari I switched to the Sand mode and took full advantage of the advanced traction management system. The power distribution to all four wheels was outstanding, so the performance was incredible on the rough and rocky landscapes.
Technological Overview
The Honda Pilot Touring 2016 grade boasts some amazing and advanced technological equipments including an 8-inch infotainment display with a built-in navigation system and Honda Lane watch. The Rear View camera aids in parking in tight spots, plus it also comes with parking sensors. The audio system features 10 speakers along with a DVD player and AUX & USB support, thus entertainment is purely guaranteed.
The steering wheel column is fully adjustable and features mounted controls, so you don’t have to take your hands off the steering wheel while driving.
Safety
The 2016 Honda Pilot has received a Top Safety Pick+ rating due to its top notch safety features, which comprise of Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, SRS driver and passenger airbags, Hill Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring system, ECU Immobilizer and Emergency Stop Light System. The best part is that even the base trim renders all the safety facilities included in the top of the line ‘Touring’ grade.
Final Impression
I wouldn’t say that the 2016 Honda Pilot is the best SUV I have ever driven, but it is definitely worth its value. The base trim starts at AED 129,000, while the full loaded Touring grade costs only AED 159,000. The cost is affordable, and since it is spacious and extends some awesome safety features, I would surely recommend it to families who want to buy a reliable and versatile SUV.