Families hoping to find the best three-row SUV are inevitably going to be looking at the 2019 Honda Pilot. It has the space families need, all-weather capabilities, flexibility plus plenty of cargo space. The 2019 Pilot received a few new tweaks, but they only made it an even better eight-passenger SUV. It’s also earned a Top Safety+ Pick from the IHHS.
What’s New in the 2019 Honda Pilot?
For the 2019 model year, the Honda Pilot received some minor styling updates and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. Also, the Honda Sensing suite is now standard in every trim.
Personally, we are fond of the 2019 Honda Pilot Elite which is their top trim. It costs $48,020 but comes loaded with remote start, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, eight-inch touchscreen, second-row captain’s chairs, Android Auto plus Apple CarPlay.
The Elite also comes with a ten-speaker premium sound system, Wi-Fi hotspot, terrain management system, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitor and parking sensors. Additional options include the power liftgate, rear-seat windows sunshades, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery plus second-row USB charging ports. You could also get 20-inch wheels, automatic wipers, panoramic sunroof and roof rails.
If all of these features are worth it to you, then it’s a great buy. Otherwise, it’s a huge price difference from the LX which starts at just $31,450.
Engine and Specs
All 2019 Honda Pilot SUVs come with a 3.5-liter V6 which produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This pairs perfectly with a nine-speed automatic transmission. If you do decide to go with the Elite trim, you’ll also receive all-wheel drive standard.
The 2019 Honda Pilot comes in at the top of its class for fuel economy. It also feels extremely confident on the road. It’s even equipped for some light towing and milder off-road trails for families looking to have an adventure.
Of course, you can’t expect the Pilot to be a sports car. With that said, it does feel more nimble than many other SUVs. We first saw the new Pilot at the 2018 Orange County Auto Show and have kept it in our sights ever since.