2012 Honda Pilot Specs for Canada

Source;

Honda Canada

2012 Honda Pilot Debuts with Sleek New Look, Improved Fuel Economy and Upgraded Interior Features

25 mpg Pilot 2WD achieves top highway EPA rating for an eight-passenger SUV

08/31/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The Honda Pilot eight-passenger SUV receives a wide range of upgrades for 2012 with a sleeker front-end design, enhanced interior features and an EPA highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg on two-wheel-drive models, an increase of 2 mpg compared to 2011 models.

The new styling for the front fascia, with its three-bar chrome-style grille, conveys a more sophisticated crossover SUV appearance. Interior styling changes focus on instrument panel refinement and a more intuitive button layout. For 2012, audio system upgrades on Pilot EX and EX-L models include a 2 GB CD-Library (CD-L) and Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, along with the addition of Bluetooth HandsFreeLink® to those trim levels.

Feature upgrades on the Pilot EX-L include the addition of a full-color 8-inch intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) for audio and vehicle information. Models equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System for 2012 receive subscription-free FM Traffic, 15 GB audio hard disk drive memory (HDD), and a higher-resolution display.

The fuel economy gains for 2012 result from combined improvements to the powertrain, chassis and vehicle aerodynamics. The 250 horsepower i-VTEC V-6 engine includes additional measures for friction reduction and improved efficiency. The 2012 Pilot becomes quieter with additional noise insulation and other enhancements throughout the vehicle.

Body

The 2012 Pilot's new grille and front fascia replace the prior model's six-sided grille insert with a distinctive three-bar horizontal design. Reconfigured multi-reflector halogen headlights and turn signals contribute to the new look with a layout that relocates the turn signal from an outboard position to an inboard position within the headlight housing. A new front air dam and optimized strakes (the rectangular air deflector in front of the wheels) help reduce frontal area and unwanted air turbulence, both of which impact fuel economy. Rounding out the exterior design changes, Pilot EX and above models receive an all-new five-spoke, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel design (plus 1-inch compared to the previous model). Pilot Touring alloy wheels feature an exclusive six-spoke design with a high-contrast machined surface. Pilot LX models are equipped with 17-inch styled-steel wheels.

Exterior dimensions for 2012 are similar to 2011 with identical measurements for width (78.5 inches), height (71.0 inches for Pilot LX and 72.7 inches for Pilot EX, EX-L and Touring) wheelbase (109.2 inches) and track (front 67.7 / rear 67.5 inches). Overall length increases 0.5 inches to 191.4 inches as a result of the front styling changes. Ground clearance is basically the same at 7.97 inches, down slightly from 8.00 inches in the previous model.

Interior

Interior styling changes are designed to increase refinement throughout the cabin while also enhancing the intuitive nature of the controls. The instrument panel uses a more unified color theme with less contrast between panels. A glossy black center panel for audio controls replaces the high-contrast silver panel of the previous model. Speedometer and tachometer gauge faces incorporate a new look with distinct segments surrounding each meter's perimeter, along with white background illumination for nighttime driving instead of the previous model's aqua-blue background illumination. The redesigned center stack adds a subtle U-shaped character line and different textures to create a layered effect on the panel. Ideal for phones and audio players, a larger center storage pocket is 0.4-inches taller. A simplified layout for the climate controls replaces some of the buttons with dials for a more intuitive, easy-to-use overall design.

The top of the center stack on each Pilot model contains a unique display that varies by model. Pilot LX and EX models contain a three-line display. Pilot EX-L models for 2012 (without navigation) receive the new i-MID, which provides a convenient platform for integration of vehicle information and compatible personal electronics through a color LCD screen and intuitive steering wheel controls. The Pilot EX-L rearview camera display appears in the i-MID and includes guidelines for judging parking distance. The i-MID also shows HandsFreeLink® operation, user-loaded wallpaper such as photos, a fuel-economy display and an audio interface.

Available on Pilot EX-L and standard on Touring, the 2012 Pilot adopts the latest version of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2. Now with 60 GB of total system memory (includes 15 GB allocated for user media) and voice recognition for three languages, this system uses multiple global positioning satellites covering all of the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. Its new FM Traffic feature provides free, continuous updates on traffic and incidents, helping drivers avoid gridlock. The hard drive can store thousands of minutes of music, which is accessible by simple voice commands using the Song By Voice™ feature. Additionally, 2012 Pilot models with navigation feature a multi-view rear camera (wide view, normal view and top-down view), with the image displayed on the navigation screen for convenient parking help when in Reverse.

Adding to the comfort level of the 2012 Pilot is a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Enhanced body seam sealing around the unit-body connection points, and re-tuned rear suspension sub-frame mounts, result in lower noise levels in the passenger cabin. Other specific NVH countermeasures include body-seam sealants to reduce air leaks, enhanced pillar separators, revised insulation materials and acoustic windshield glass on all models.

The tailgate features a lift-up glass hatch for convenient access to the rearmost cargo area. The model's 18.0 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third row matches or exceeds the trunk space of a typical large sedan and can accommodate items as large as a mid-size cooler or a folded stroller. For maximum cargo space, the second and third rows fold flat into the floor to create 87.0 cubic feet of storage capacity, while also providing sufficient width for 4-foot-wide items.

The cargo area has a hidden storage well that provides 2.8 cu-ft. of additional space and can combine with the above floor storage area by securing the hinged cover against the seatback. The Pilot Touring also provides a load-supporting cargo net (20 lbs. maximum weight) to further subdivide the rear cargo area.

Key interior dimensions are identical to the previous Pilot model, including front headroom (40.0 in. for Pilot LX and EX, 39.3 in. for moonroof-equipped Pilot EX-L and Touring), second-row headroom (39.8 in.) and rear headroom (38.2 in.), legroom (front 41.4 in., second-row 38.5 in., and third-row 32.1 in.). Passenger volumes are likewise identical (153.7 cu-ft. for Pilot LX and EX, 152.7 cu-ft. for Pilot EX-L and Touring), as are cargo volumes (87.0 cu-ft. total, 47.7 cu-ft. behind second-row seats, and 18.0 cu-ft. behind third-row seats).

Safety

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure that helps reduce the amount of crash energy reaching the passenger compartment and can enhance frontal collision compatibility. Additional safety equipment includes three-row side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist. Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control, is standard on all models. The 2012 Pilot also meets new federal regulations with taller rear head restraints.

Honda has targeted the new Pilot to achieve best-in-class safety ratings, including a NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, and a TOP SAFETY PICK designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reflecting the institute's new procedures for Front Offset, Side Impact Collision Evaluation (SICE), Roof Crush and Head Restraint tests.

Powertrain

Power comes from an advanced 24-valve, all-aluminum engine with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). The VCM system allows the V-6 engine to operate in six-cylinder mode for power and four- or three-cylinder modes for efficiency. Fuel economy improves for 2012 with an EPA-estimated1 city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/24/20 mpg on 4-wheel-drive models and 18/25/21 mpg on 2-wheel-drive models. Representing a 1-mpg increase in City, a 2-mpg increase in Highway and a 2-mpg increase in Combined, this gives the 2012 Pilot 2WD the highest fuel economy of any 8-passenger SUV and the Pilot 4WD the highest fuel economy for any mid-size 4WD SUV.

Fuel-efficiency enhancements include the application of engine friction-reduction technologies including a plateau-honed engine block, low-friction piston treatments, ion-plated oil rings and a load-variable alternator. The use of dual-electrode spark plugs, 0W-20 low-friction oil and low-friction automatic transmission fluid contribute to higher efficiency. The VCM operation range has also been expanded.

The 5-speed automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to help maintain the most appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill, thereby avoiding gear "hunting." The available VTM-4 system on Pilot 4WD models adds fully automatic 4-wheel-drive capability. VTM-4 delivers seamless, "decision-free" application of 4-wheel-drive when needed, a key benefit compared to conventional systems. The system also provides a "lock mode" – available when in first or second gears up to 18 mph and activated by a button on the instrument panel – that can deliver the maximum-possible torque transfer to the rear wheels to aid in extraction from extremely low traction or stuck conditions.

Chassis

The suspension is a fully independent system with front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link with trailing arm designs that contribute to responsive driving characteristics for an SUV. The 109.2-inch wheelbase facilitates a smooth ride. A tight turning diameter of 37.9 feet aids maneuverability in tight parking situations.

Chassis improvements that directly improve fuel economy include a variable-displacement power steering pump, low-rolling-resistance tires, and low-drag front ventilated and rear disc brakes. Improved aerodynamics, the front strakes, splash shields and inner fenders, and reduced frontal area also contribute to improved fuel economy.

Models and Features

As with the prior model year, the 2012 Pilot is available in four model choices (Pilot LX, EX, EX-L and Touring), and each is offered in either 2-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive configuration.

Pilot LX

Standard comfort and convenience features on the Pilot LX include a front and rear air conditioning system with air-filtration system, keyless entry with simplified operation, tilt and telescope steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver's and passenger's window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD stereo system with seven speakers including a subwoofer and Radio Data System (RDS), trip computer, heat-rejecting tinted glass, integrated Class III towing receiver, and more. For 2012, the Pilot LX adds AAC audio file playback capability from data discs to the CD player.

Pilot EX

The Pilot EX adds a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, a power driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, security system, XM Radio®5, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, exterior temperature indicator, HomeLink® Remote System, and more. For 2012, the Pilot EX now also features Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (previously exclusive to EX-L with Navi and above models), Bluetooth audio streaming and a new 2 GB CD Library (CD-L) replaces the previous 6-disc CD changer.

Pilot EX-L

Additional Pilot EX-L features include leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger's seat, one-touch power moonroof, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror and the availability of either the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 or the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen. The addition of either the navigation or the entertainment system also adds a 115-volt power outlet. New for 2012 is the addition of a power tailgate to the Pilot EX-L, a USB Audio Interface, and an intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with QVGA resolution. The i-MID includes a rearview camera display, iPod album artwork display and a user-loadable wallpaper function.

Pilot EX-L with Navigation (Not available in Canada)

The Pilot EX-L with Navigation adds an upgraded navigation system with higher VGA resolution replacing the previous QVGA display and an internal hard drive that replaces the previous model's DVD-based system. New features include FM Traffic, Song by Voice™, rearview camera with a 3-mode display and a Multi-Information Display in the center of the gauge cluster.

Pilot Touring

The top-of-the-line Pilot Touring includes the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 with rearview camera, a Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink4 and Audio Streaming (with selected phones), the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System, two-position memory seats, roof rails, corner and backup sensors, side-mirror integrated turn indicators and more.

Colors available for 2012 include Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bali Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Dark Cherry Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Taffeta White, White Diamond Pearl, new Dark Amber Metallic (replaces Mocha Metallic) and new Glacier White (Pilot Touring). Fabric and leather interior color choices, which are matched to selected exterior colors, include beige, black or gray.

Awards and Accolades

From building initial quality impressions to providing fun-to-drive character with lasting durability and reliability, the Pilot carries forward the essential DNA that defines all Honda vehicles. These traits have previously earned the Pilot multiple awards, including "Best Value of the Year" from IntelliChoice, Edmunds.com's "Most Wanted SUV," and it was named one of Kelley Blue Book's "Top 50 Most Popular Cars." The Honda brand has also won the Edmunds.com “Best Retained Value Award” for Non-Luxury Brands.

The Pilot is assembled from domestic and globally sourced parts at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama. Honda R&D Americas designed and developed the Pilot in Raymond, Ohio, and Torrance, California. The 2012 model became available for sale on August 31.

2012 Pilot Feature Change Summary

All-new front fascia, grille and headlights

New 18-inch aluminum wheels (17-inch styled steel on Pilot LX)

Upgraded interior materials and revised instrument panel with new center stack layout

Acoustic windshield glass (previously exclusive to Pilot EX-L and Touring)

Upgraded audio and available navigation systems

Improved EPA-estimated1 fuel economy (+1 mpg City/+2 mpg Highway/+2 mpg Combined)

Pilot LX adds:

AAC audio file playback from data discs to the CD player

Pilot EX adds or replaces:

18-inch aluminum wheels and P235/60R18 all-season tires

Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Bluetooth audio streaming

2 GB CD Library (CD-L)

Pilot EX-L adds or replaces:

Power tailgate

Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with QVGA resolution (includes backup camera display, album artwork display and user-loadable wallpaper function)

USB Audio Interface

Pilot EX-L with Navigation adds or replaces:

Upgraded navigation system with higher VGA resolution and 60-GB hard drive (includes 15 GB audio hard drive memory) and FM Traffic

Song by Voice™

Wide-view rearview camera with 3-mode display

Basic Specs:

Engine: 3.5-liter 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6

Horsepower: 250 hp @ 5,700 rpm

Torque: 253 lb-ft. @ 4,800 rpm

EPA-estimated1 fuel economy, City/Hwy/Comb.: 17/24/20 (4WD), 18/25/21 (2WD)

Seating capacity: 8

Passenger volume: 153.7 cu-ft.

Cargo volume: 18.0 cu-ft. (minimum), 87.0 cu-ft. (maximum)

Towing capacity: 4,500 lbs. (4WD), 2,000 lbs. (2WD)3

Standard airbags: Driver's and front-passenger's dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and 3-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor

Standard Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist

Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2012 Honda Pilot is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com/pilot.

Connect with Honda: Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.comHonda Pilot (for consumers): automobiles.honda.com/pilotHonda Pilot on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hondapilotHonda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/hondaHonda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanewsHonda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda

1Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the Pilot EX-L model in the United States, except Alaska. Please see the navigation system manual for details.

3Requires surge-type or electric trailer brakes, available Honda accessory towing package with automatic transmission cooler and hitch ball. Premium unleaded fuel is recommended when towing above 3,500 lbs. Towing capacity for Pilot 2WD without automatic transmission cooler is 2,000 lbs.

4The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

5Required XM Radio subscription sold separately after 90-day trial period. Subscriptions are governed by the XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com/serviceterms.

Source;

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2012-honda-pilot-debuts-with-sleek-new-look-improved-fuel-economy-and-upgraded-interior-features

2012 Honda Pilot Revealed

Honda’s big three-row SUV, the Pilot, is slated to receive a slew of updates for the 2012 model year. The Japanese automaker has released a single photo of the 2012 Pilot, showing the mild changes for the new year.

Visual tweaks for the 2012 Pilot mainly consist of a smoother, more aerodynamic front fascia. Honda says the interior and dashboard have been restyled, and that the Pilot scores upgraded entertainment and navigation systems. For now, we haven’t been granted a look inside the car, so we’ll likely have to wait some time to check out the interior upgrades.

Honda promises that the new Pilot will be more fuel-efficient than the current model, which scores just 17/23 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive or 16/22 mpg with all-wheel drive. It’s unknown whether the economy increase will be attributed to the more aerodynamic styling or revisions to the Pilot’s drivetrain. The 2011 model features a 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. Our guess is a six-speed gearbox has been added, seeing as the Acura MDX — a mechanically similar vehicle which rides upon the same architecture — gained such a transmission for the 2010 model year.

With the boxy Element essentially put out to pasture, the Pilot is now Honda’s slowest-selling SUV. Slow is a somewhat relative term: 102,323 buyers took home a Pilot in 2010. Look for the revamped 2012 Honda Pilot will go on sale this September.

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/honda-shows-redesigned-2012-pilot-promises-improved-interior-63103.html

Car and Driver Mag: 2012 Honda Pilot Spy Photos - Future Cars

The cyborg grille is gone, but the rest of the Pilot remains mostly unchanged.
BY JUSTIN BERKOWITZ, PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA PRIDDY & CO. AND THE MANUFACTURER June 2011

The Honda Pilot isn’t as weird as a Citroën, nor is it as thrilling as a BMW M3. In spite of this—or perhaps because of it—Honda’s eight-passenger crossover SUV sells in substantial numbers, impressive work for a car that debuted in its second generation for 2008. (It joined our long-term test fleet soon after.) To keep shoppers interested, though, Honda’s making some tweaks for 2012, and our spy shooters have caught one of the face-lifted Pilots running around.

The most notable difference is the change in the grille. The current car’s cyborg-like front fascia was a bit of a styling risk from such a conservative company, and while it probably didn’t hurt sales, it didn’t win loads of fans either. It’s immediately apparent from these images that the flat grille will disappear, to be replaced with a three-slat insert. Tape on the rear bumper suggests some resurfacing there as well. Otherwise, the Pilot’s exterior remains mostly the same as it has been; it’s an inoffensive design and still looks fresh enough to satisfy families in the showroom.

Mechanically, the alterations to the Pilot will most likely be evolutionary. Honda has been upgrading most of its models’ five-speed automatic transmissions with six-ratio units; you can expect the Pilot to join the six-speed in-crowd. Between the new gearbox and—perhaps—some finessing of the engine’s greasy bits, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pilot gain an extra mile per gallon or two. For the folks who put cartoonish drawings of themselves and their pets on the rear window, this will be pleasant news.

We expect Honda to unveil the face-lifted Pilot sometime this fall, either at November’s Los Angeles auto show or at a less-full-of-fanfare venue. It’ll be a busy fall for the company’s crossover division, as we’re also expecting an all-new CR-V. We’ll bring you full info on both cars when it arrives.

Source;

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/spied/11q2/2012_honda_pilot_spy_photos-future_cars

2012 Honda Pilot Spyshot

The grille on the current Pilot has never been popular, but we've just spied a prototype that shows Honda will be trying a new design.

Honda's midcycle change on the Pilot looks to consist of a new grille, new front bumper and a new lower fascia. In back, there appears to be modest changes to the rear bumper and the towing setup.

Inside, it appears that Honda has a major change planned for the center stack. Watch for the official debut in the first quarter of this year.

Source;
http://www.detnews.com/article/20110203/AUTO03/102030355/1148/AUTO01/Sneak-peek--2012-Honda-Pilot

2009 Honda Pilot Info Site Launched (Canada)

Honda Canada has launched a information site for the 2009 Honda Pilot and has a nice 360 degree 3D view of the exterior and the interior of the vehicle.

Here's the link to play around with;
http://hondapilot.ca/en/index.html

Introducing, The 2009 Honda Pilot

Well, just got filled into what is going on with the Honda Pilot here in Canada, so Here goes;

There will be 6X Trim Levels;
2008 Honda Pilot LX 2WD
2008 Honda Pilot LX 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot EX 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot EX-L RES (DVD) 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot Touring

The new 2008 Honda Pilot is all around bigger, length, width, height, track, everything. New for 2009 will be that every trim level will get the Heavy-duty automatic transmission cooler, the Heavy-duty power steering cooler, and a integrated Hitch with a cover. The new Pilot can now tow 4,500 pounds on a 4WD model and 3,500 pounds on a 2WD model. All models come equipped with Hill Start Assist timer, which will stop the vehicle from rolling back when switching from brake petal to acceleration petal on a incline, great for pulling boats out of water! The brakes are also bigger and built for towing.

Under the hood (btw, the hood is much lighter now due to the fact that it is now all alluminum) is a 3.5 litre V6 SOHC i-Vtec engine that puts out 250hp and 253torque. The engine will also use the VCM II (Variable Cylinder Management) and will deactivate cylinders to run from 6 to 4 to 3 to maximize gas mileage. This will be like having 3X different engines under the hood. The engine is mated together with a nice 5 speed automatic transmission. Still only Regular fuel. Even though the Pilot is a little bigger and heavier, it is expected to maintain current fuel ratings.

The shifter is now located on the dash console as opposed to on the floor or attatched to the steering column, this makes it out of the way and gives more use of space. The console is massive. Honda has also adopted the 'One Touch Starter' from the Acura RL, you turn the key over just once and it will continue to crank until started for you (crank's for approx. 10 sec). Starting at the EX and up trim levels, Honda has also added Tri-zone Automatic Climate control. Tilt and Telescopic steering wheel is also added throughout the lineup.

Inside the front console between the front two seats is a nice big storage bin that also has a auxillary input jack for a i-pod or a mp3 player. There is also a USB connector in the Touring models only that will charge the i-pod and allow you to interact with the interface of the Navigation screen. You can also hook up normal memory sticks to the USB port as well. There is also a low wattage 110 AC outlet for small devices like a laptop or a Game system.

The rearview camera located in the rearview mirror makes it's way to the 2008 Honda Pilot EX-L and Touring models. The 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L and up has this feature and is it a nice touch.

Apparently the 3rd row has alot more room, room enough for adults. You wouldn't know it by this photo, but I did see an adult sit in the back of one of these and he did look comfortable.

The 2008 Honda Pilot also features Honda's ACE body structure (Advanced Compatability Engineered) which will disperse the energy of a crash better than ever and also strengthens the roof line. The spare tire is located under the rear of the vehicle. 17" wheels on all models along with wider tires result in added traction to go along with the ABS, EBD, TC, and VSA.

The 3rd row headrests no longer have to come off in order to fold the seats down, they are integrated into the seat now. You'll notice on the base of the drivers side rear pillar that there is a side compartment with a handle, this will swallow a full 4.5 litre jug of washer fluid with room to spare, By The Way, 6.5 litres of washer fluid can now be held in the resevoir.

Where the 3rd row headrests were held before is now much larger and deeper and has approx. 79 litres of space, perfect for a small stroller or some golf clubs, not to mention what is in the photo. The tailgate on the Touring model is powered.

Other bits of info:

-The glass in the EX-L and the Touring models are called 'accoustic glass', which is 2 sheets of glass put together with a special resin sandwiched between to act as a sound dampener.

-Headlights Auto On/Off on ALL trim levels

-2nd and third row heating ducts.

-Moonroof with Tilt feature on Leather models only.

-XM Satellite radio on Leather models only.

-Touring model now has 2nd row heated leather seats.

Anyway I can't wait to see this now.

Honda's 2009 Pilot Spec's

For all us Canadians, keep in mind that the gas mileage numbers are in US gallons, the mileage if it is 1mpg better should look like this, 21mpg city/29mpg hwy. Eh.

Car and Driver's First Impressions of the 2009 Honda Pilot

Well the reviews are starting to pour in on the 2009 Honda Pilot, and most what they have to say has been positive. Here goes;

2009 Honda Pilot - First Drive Review
Honda reskins and rethinks its brilliantly packaged eight-passenger SUV.
BY DAVE VANDERWERP April 2008

When the Pilot launched in 2002 as an ’03 model, it was a little ahead of its time. Back then, trucky, body-on-frame SUVs such as the Ford Explorer were the big sellers, and fuel economy wasn’t in the forefront of anyone’s mind. The Pilot’s innovative beginnings on the Odyssey minivan’s unibody architecture weren’t due to Honda’s superior foresight, however; the company simply didn’t have a body-on-frame platform to start with. So the Pilot launched by default as what is, in today’s vernacular, a crossover.

An intelligently packaged three-row, eight-passenger SUV, the Pilot was lighter and more efficient than the competition, as well as a smooth on-road driver, grabbing the large-SUV award at our annual 5Best Trucks competition six years in a row.

The competition took notice, and recently there has been an influx of competitors that have squarely targeted the Pilot: specifically, the Mazda CX-9 and GM’s quartet of large utes, the GMC Acadia, the Saturn Outlook, the Buick Enclave, and the Chevy Traverse.

Our current large-SUV champ in this ever-growing three-row class is the sporty CX-9, which knocked the Pilot off the podium for 2008. Naturally, Honda has rethought and updated the Pilot for 2009 to stay in the hunt.

Sticking to Its Sensibilities

This isn’t a radical redesign, as Honda had the formula pretty well nailed from the start. However, its customers clamored for some additional space, particularly in the third row and the cargo area. To that end, the ’09 Pilot gets a 2.9-inch stretch to both wheelbase and overall length and a one-inch gain in width and height, but it’s still about nine inches shorter than the CX-9 and the GM utes.

The new Pilot gets a bolder front end—anything is bolder than the current wallflower—that doesn’t look as awkward in person as it does in some of the photos. But this ute is all about function. It forgoes the recent trend of sportier, on-road-only SUVs and retains a high roofline to maximize headroom and cargo space, and it has a blocky shape that enables the rear cargo hold to accept four-foot-wide sheets of plywood. Ground clearance remains at eight inches to enable the light off-roading Honda says its customers demand. All Pilots come with a trailer hitch, and four-wheel-drive models can tow 4500 pounds (3500 for two-wheel-drive models). This practical approach leaves the similarly sized Acura MDX for buyers willing to pay more and sacrifice functionality for style, says Honda.

A redesigned interior features a see-through gauge cluster as well as a button-intensive center stack. The available navigation runs on a sharp eight-inch screen, but we think it’s a step backward to ditch friendly touch-screen controls for the corporate multifunction knob that’s spreading throughout Honda’s lineup.

Overall, we were unimpressed with the quality and fit and finish of the new Pilot’s interior, especially considering Honda representatives assured us that the preproduction cars we drove were very close to production intent. The dashboard plastics and the climate-control buttons come across as low-cost, and there are more cut-lines and larger gaps between panels than expected. This leaves a general impression that Honda is trying to squeeze a few bucks out of the interior.

The driver’s seat slides back farther than before—a welcome addition for this six-foot-five test driver who can now find complete comfort—and the steering wheel telescopes in addition to tilting.

The spacious second row benefits from an additional 1.1 inches of legroom and 0.8 inch of shoulder room that, Honda says, enables it to accommodate three car seats. It also slides forward farther to ease access to the way back.

The third row grows the most, with an additional 1.9 inches of legroom and a seat that’s positioned higher than before to better accommodate larger passengers. As far as third rows go, it’s a good one, but people much over six feet still won’t want to do much time back there.

Space behind the third row has grown by two cubic feet, three if you include the larger under-the-floor storage bin. That bin is even more useful now that the third-row headrests don’t have to be removed and stored there to fold the row flat.

Largely Unchanged Mechanicals

All Pilots are still powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, although it has received a few efficiency upgrades including a two-stage magnesium intake, a bump in compression ratio to 10.5:1, and a further evolution of the company’s cylinder deactivation technology. Power is up slightly to 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, and the engine can operate on three, four, or all six cylinders (previously, it could only switch between three and six), which enables it to run in reduced-cylinder modes more often.

To fight vibrations that three- and four-cylinder operation produces, the Pilot gets new active engine mounts, noise-canceling vibes through the stereo system, and a torque converter with an additional damping spring. It’s smooth enough that the switching among modes is imperceptible.

The front and rear disc brakes are slightly upsized. The Pilot’s available full-time four-wheel drive, strut-front and multilink-rear independent suspension, and five-speed automatic are largely unchanged, although the shifter has been moved to a more out-of-the way dash location and still doesn’t feature manumatic control. When asked about the Pilot’s retaining a five-speed automatic while much of the competition is sporting six or more ratios, Honda answered “never say never” for the possibility of a six-speed transmission, but in the case of the Pilot, the company claims that adding ratios would reduce the time the engine spends in reduced-cylinder mode and wouldn’t boost fuel economy.

With the more-efficient engine, as well as lower-rolling-resistance tires (now 17s instead of 16s) and a slight improvement in drag coefficient, the ’09 Pilot boosts fuel-economy numbers by one or two to 17 mpg city and 23 highway for 2WD models and 16/22 for 4WD, and it runs on regular fuel. That’s impressive considering the size and weight gains. At 4350-to-4600 pounds, the ’09s are roughly 50 to 75 pounds heavier than the outgoing model.

Better Road Manners
Behind the wheel the new car is better in just about every way. Gone from the steering is the slight dead spot on-center, and the ride has been stiffened appropriately, getting rid of the previous car’s somewhat mushy-soft behavior. Acceleration feels similar (figure on 0-to-60 mph in the mid-seven-second range), there’s still some torque steer when accelerating vigorously out of corners (even in 4WD models), and the steering isn’t nearly as quick nor the tires as grippy as in such sporty wannabes as the Mazda CX-9. Is this a problem? Probably not, considering the Pilot’s mainstream, family-oriented buyers. The brake pedal is firm but forgiving. The Pilot might not be fun to drive in the thrilling sense, but knowing that you made a rational, intelligent choice is fun in its own right.

Safe, Safe, Safe
Honda expects to receive top ratings from all third-party crash testing, thanks to the Pilot’s beefed-up structure, and the Pilot comes with standard front-, side-, and three-row curtain airbags. Stability control, which includes traction control and anti-lock brakes, is also standard.

The model lineup is similar, starting with the base LX. The EX adds alloy wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, and a six-CD changer. The EX-L trim adds leather, a sunroof, and a rear backup camera displayed in the rearview mirror. A new, top-of-the-line Touring model adds navigation, Bluetooth and iPod-friendly USB connectivity, and a previously unavailable power liftgate. Rear-seat DVD entertainment is available on the EX-L and Touring.

Honda plans to sell about 140,000 Pilots a year. They are built in its Lincoln, Alabama, facility and will arrive at dealers in May, starting at about $28,000 and stretching to $40,000 for the fully loaded Limited trim.

Copyright ©2007 Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

Here's the link to the article;

http://www.caranddriver.com/layout/set/print/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/honda_acura_central/2009_honda_pilot_first_drive_review

More Shots of the 2009 Honda Pilot from Autoblog.com

One this last photo, it's nice to see dual exhaust finally make it's way to the Pilot.

Link;
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/spy-shots-2009-honda-pilot/